The study shows that Interleukin 17, a protein that provides a communications pathway between cells, gives researchers the ability to look at the bloodstream to identify biological markers — distinctive indicators of a process, event or condition. The Type -1 Interferon signature (IFN) is a biomarker in dermatomyositis. The study identified a strong pattern that confirms the combination of these two biomarkers, IL-17 pathway and IFN signature, are a valid indicator of the progress of dermatomyositis.
Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune disease that weakens the muscles and causes muscle and joint pain as well as reddish eruptions on the face, neck and upper torso.
"A goal of this study is to be able to look in the bloodstream to identify biological markers or disease activity," says Ann Reed, M.D., Mayo Clinic pediatric rheumatologist. "How active is the disease and where is it going? We then can determine whether to continue treatment and what treatment will be most effective on a patient-by-patient basis.
"These results also provide us with a link between dermatomyositis and rheumatoid arthritis," says Dr. Reed. "We can apply these same procedures to determine the most effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis patients."-Mayo Clinic
