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Plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 level change with omalizumab treatment in chronic spontaneous urticaria
Tuğba Falay Gür1, Sevil Savaş Erdoğan1, Fatih Özçelik2
1Department of Dermatology, University of Health Sciences, Sultan 2. Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Background:
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an enzyme that contributes to inflammation and tissue remodelling. In chronic urticaria, increased plasma levels of MMP-9 and its correlation with disease severity have been shown in several studies, suggesting that MMP-9 could be used to evaluate the effects of new treatments. We aimed to compare MMP-9 levels in chronic urticaria patients with those of healthy patients. Then we planned to investigate the changes in plasma MMP-9 levels with chronic urticaria treatment, the role of this enzyme in demonstrating the efficacy of treatment, and its correlation with C-reactive protein (CRP).
Methods:
Forty-one patients with chronic urticaria who were scheduled for omalizumab treatment and 41 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. In the patient group, before treatment and at the end of the 12th week, the urticaria activity score used for 7 consecutive days (UAS7) was calculated, and the MMP-9 and CRP levels were measured. Plasma MMP-9 levels were measured from venous blood in the control group.
Results:
The plasma MMP-9 levels of the patients before treatment were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < .01). In the patient group, there was no significant relationship between the UAS7 score and the MMP-9 and CRP levels before treatment. The UAS7 values were 28 ± 7 before omalizumab treatment and 5 ± 6 at the end of the 12th week (P < .0001). The post-treatment MMP-9 levels (1818 ± 297 pg/mL) were higher compared with the pre-treatment values (1617 ± 380) (P < .05). The post-treatment CRP levels of the patients (2.41 ± 2.17 mg/L) were lower than their pre-treatment CRP levels (8.20 ± 19.70) (P < .05).
Conclusion:
MMP-9 levels were not associated with the severity of disease, and MMP-9 levels were not decreased with treatment response. Therefore, MMP-9 cannot be used as a parameter of disease activity in chronic urticaria or to evaluate the efficacy of new treatments.
Insights
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels were higher in chronic urticaria patients but did not correlate with disease severity. MMP-9 did not decrease with treatment, indicating it is not a reliable marker for chronic urticaria activity or treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is implicated in inflammation and tissue remodeling.
- Elevated MMP-9 levels in chronic urticaria (CU) suggest its potential as a treatment efficacy marker.
- Previous studies indicate a correlation between MMP-9 and CU severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare plasma MMP-9 levels between CU patients and healthy controls.
- To investigate changes in MMP-9 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels following omalizumab treatment in CU patients.
- To assess the correlation between MMP-9, CRP, and disease activity (UAS7) in CU.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 41 CU patients undergoing omalizumab treatment and 41 matched healthy controls were enrolled.
- Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7), plasma MMP-9, and CRP levels were measured pre-treatment and post-treatment (12 weeks).
- MMP-9 levels were also measured in the control group.
Main Results:
- CU patients exhibited significantly higher pre-treatment plasma MMP-9 levels compared to controls (P < .01).
- No significant correlation was found between pre-treatment UAS7 scores and MMP-9 or CRP levels.
- Post-treatment MMP-9 levels increased (P < .05), while CRP levels decreased (P < .05) alongside significant UAS7 reduction (P < .0001).
Conclusions:
- MMP-9 levels are not associated with chronic urticaria disease severity.
- MMP-9 levels do not decrease with treatment response in CU patients.
- MMP-9 is not a suitable biomarker for assessing disease activity or treatment efficacy in chronic urticaria.
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