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Serum TWEAK: A cutoff between segmental and nonsegmental vitiligo.
Abd El-Aziz Ibrahim El-Taweel1, Amira Mohamed Noureldin Abdelrahman2, Sarah Sabry3
1Dermatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
|August 19, 2020
Summary
Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) were significantly higher in vitiligo patients compared to controls. TWEAK may play a role in vitiligo pathogenesis and differentiating its subtypes.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Cutaneous disorders
Background:
- TWEAK/Fn14 is implicated in various skin conditions, including inflammatory, autoimmune, and neoplastic disorders.
- Its role in vitiligo, a depigmentation disorder, warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) in patients with vitiligo.
- To explore the potential of TWEAK as a biomarker for vitiligo diagnosis and subtype differentiation.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 50 vitiligo patients and 50 healthy controls.
- Clinical assessment of vitiligo type, distribution, and severity using the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI).
- Measurement of serum TWEAK levels in all participants.
Main Results:
- Vitiligo patients exhibited significantly higher serum TWEAK levels than controls (644.76 ± 688.93 vs 282.75 ± 125.67).
- Elevated TWEAK levels were observed in segmental vitiligo compared to nonsegmental vitiligo.
- TWEAK demonstrated 80% sensitivity and 56.67% specificity for diagnosing vitiligo, and high accuracy in differentiating subtypes.
Conclusions:
- TWEAK may contribute to the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
- Serum TWEAK levels can aid in distinguishing between segmental and nonsegmental vitiligo.
- TWEAK presents a potential therapeutic target for vitiligo treatment.
