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Updated: May 16, 2026

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Lymphocyte Isolation from Human Skin for Phenotypic Analysis and Ex Vivo Cell Culture
Published on: April 8, 2016
Treatment-associated phenotype switching between psoriasis and atopic dermatitis
Tiago Torres1,2, Mario Valenti3,4, Anna Balato5
1Department of Dermatology, Centro Académico Clínico ICBAS/Santo António, Porto, Portugal.
Summary
Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) phenotype switching is a real-world phenomenon. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors effectively manage these treatment-associated immune changes, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and immunology
- Inflammatory skin diseases
- Therapeutic outcomes
Background:
- Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) are distinct inflammatory skin conditions.
- Targeted therapies reveal a 'flip-flop' phenomenon: eczematous changes in psoriasis patients or psoriasiform disease in AD patients.
- Limited real-world data exists on this treatment-associated phenotype switch.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize treatment-associated phenotype switching between psoriasis and AD.
- Analyze clinical features, therapies, management, and outcomes in a large real-world cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, multicentre, multinational observational study.
- Included patients with psoriasis or AD experiencing a persistent phenotype switch linked to systemic or biologic therapy.
- Collected and analyzed demographic, clinical, therapeutic, and outcome data.
Main Results:
- 148 patients included: 101 (PsO→eczematous) and 47 (AD→psoriasiform).
- PsO→eczematous switches linked to IL-17/IL-23 inhibitors; AD→psoriasiform switches linked to type 2 biologics (e.g., dupilumab).
- Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors were the most common management strategy for both switch types, leading to marked clinical improvement.
Conclusions:
- Treatment-associated phenotype switching is a reproducible, bidirectional phenomenon reflecting immune plasticity.
- Recognizing this switch is crucial for appropriate therapeutic adaptation.
- JAK inhibitors show promise as an effective management option for these switches.
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