Project description:Chronic prurigo (CPG) is a neuroinflammatory, fibrotic dermatosis that is defined by the presence of chronic pruritus (itch lasting longer than 6 weeks), scratch-associated pruriginous skin lesions and history of repeated scratching. Patients with CPG experience a significant psychological burden and a notable impairment in their quality of life. Chronic prurigo of nodular type (CNPG; synonym: prurigo nodularis) represents the most common subtype of CPG. As CNPG is representative for all CPG subtypes, we refer in this review to both CNPG and CPG. We provide an overview of the clinical characteristics and assessment of CPG, the burden of disease and the underlying pathophysiology including associated therapeutic targets. The information provided results from a PubMed search for the latest publications and a database search for current clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov, EU Clinical Trials Register [European Medicines Agency]; using the following terms or combinations of terms: 'chronic prurigo', 'prurigo', 'prurigo nodularis', 'pathophysiology', 'therapy', 'biologics', 'treatment'). Dupilumab is the first authorized systemic therapy by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for CNPG to date. Topical and systemic agents that are currently under investigation in clinical randomized, placebo-controlled phase II and III trials such as biologics (e.g., nemolizumab, vixarelimab/KPL-716, barzolvolimab/CDX-0159), small molecules (ruxolitinib cream, povorcitinib/INCB054707, abrocitinib) and the opioid modulator nalbuphine are highlighted. In the last past 15 years, several milestones have been reached regarding the disease understanding of CPG such as first transcriptomic analysis, first terminology, first guideline, and first therapy approval in 2022, which contributed to improved medical care of affected patients. The broad range of identified targets, current case observations and initiated trials offers the possibility of more drug approvals in the near future.
Project description:Prurigo nodualris (PN) is a chronic condition with highly pruritic, hyperkeratotic papules or nodules arising in the setting of chronic pruritus. While PN may serve as a phenotypic presentation of several underlying conditions such as atopic dermatitis, chronic kidney disease-related pruritus, and neurological diseases, it represents a distinct clinical entity that may persist despite the removal of the underlying cause, if one is identified. Neuronal proliferation, eosinophils, mast cells, and small-fiber neuropathy play a role in the production of pruritus in PN, although the exact mechanism has not yet been established. Identifying an underlying cause, if present, is essential to prevent recurrence of PN. Due to often present comorbidities, treatment is typically multimodal with utilization of topical and systemic therapies. We performed a PubMed/MEDLINE search for PN and present a review of recent developments in the treatment of PN. Treatment typically relies on the use of topical or intralesional steroids, though more severe or recalcitrant cases often necessitate the use of phototherapy or systemic immunosuppressives. Thalidomide and lenalidomide can both be used in severe cases; however, their toxicity profile makes them less favorable. Opioid receptor antagonists and neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists represent two novel families of therapeutic agents which may effectively treat PN with a lower toxicity profile than thalidomide or lenalidomide.
Project description:Pruritus is the most common symptom of dermatological disorders, and prurigo nodularis (PN) is notorious for intractable and severe itching. Conventional treatments often yield disappointing outcomes, significantly affecting patients' quality of life and psychological well-being. The pathogenesis of PN is associated with a self-sustained "itch-scratch" vicious cycle. Recent investigations of PN-related itch have partially revealed the intricate interactions within the cutaneous neuroimmune network; however, the underlying mechanism remains undetermined. Itch mediators play a key role in pruritus amplification in PN and understanding their action mechanism will undoubtedly lead to the development of novel targeted antipruritic agents. In this review, we describe a series of pruritogens and receptors involved in mediating itching in PN, including cytokines, neuropeptides, extracellular matrix proteins, vasculogenic substances, ion channels, and intracellular signaling pathways. Moreover, we provide a prospective outlook on potential therapies based on existing findings.
Project description:Prurigo nodularis is a debilitating skin condition that is characterized by chronic itch and a prolonged scratching behavior. Little is known of the underlying molecular mechanisms that initiate and maintain the desease. Therefore, we analyzed gene expression in prurigo patients and matched healthy controls.
Project description:BackgroundPrurigo nodularis (PN) is a poorly understood, understudied pruritic dermatosis that reduces quality of life.ObjectiveTo characterize the demographics and comorbidities associated with PN.MethodsCross-sectional study of patients 18 years and older who were seen at the Johns Hopkins Health System between December 6, 2012, and December 6, 2017.ResultsOver the past 5 years, 909 patients with PN were seen at Johns Hopkins Health System. African American patients were 3.4 times more likely to have PN than white patients were (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9-3.9; P < .001). A comparison of the study patients and race-matched controls revealed that PN was significantly associated with a variety of systemic, cardiovascular, and psychiatric comorbidities, including chronic kidney disease, chronic hepatitis C, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, depression, and atopic dermatitis. Black patients with PN were 10.5 times more likely (OR, 10.5; 95% CI, 7.9-13.9; P < .001) to have HIV than were race-matched controls with atopic dermatitis, and 8 times more likely (OR, 8.0; 95% CI, 5.7-11.1; P < .001) to have HIV than were African American patients with psoriasis.LimitationsOur data describe patients seen by 1 hospital system. Our data identify associated conditions and comorbidities but are unable to support a causal relationship.ConclusionPN disproportionately affects African Americans and is associated with several systemic conditions, including HIV, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes.
Project description:Prurigo nodularis is a debilitating skin condition that is characterized by chronic itch and a prolonged scratching behavior. Little is known of the underlying molecular mechanisms that initiate and maintain the desease. Therefore, we analyzed DNA methylation in prurigo patients and matched healthy controls.
Project description:Prurigo nodularis (PN) is an intensely pruritic, chronic inflammatory skin disease that disproportionately affects black patients. However, the pathogenesis of PN is poorly understood. We performed single-cell transcriptomic profiling, ligand receptor analysis and cell trajectory analysis of 28,695 lesional and non-lesional PN skin cells to uncover disease-identifying cell compositions and genetic characteristics. We uncovered a dysregulated role for fibroblasts (FBs) and myofibroblasts as a key pathogenic element in PN, which were significantly increased in PN lesional skin. We defined seven unique subclusters of FBs in PN skin and observed a shift of PN lesional FBs towards a cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-like phenotype, with WNT5A+ CAFs increased in the skin of PN patients and similarly so in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A multicenter PN cohort study subsequently revealed an increased risk of SCC as well as additional CAF-associated malignancies in PN patients, including breast and colorectal cancers. Systemic fibroproliferative diseases were also upregulated in PN patients, including renal sclerosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Ligand receptor analyses demonstrated increased FB1-derived WNT5A and periostin interactions with neuronal receptors MCAM and ITGAV, suggesting a fibroblast-neuronal axis in PN. Type I IFN responses in immune cells and increased angiogenesis/permeability in endothelial cells were also observed. As compared to atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis (PSO) patients, increased mesenchymal dysregulation is unique to PN with an intermediate Th2/Th17 phenotype between atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. These findings identify a pathogenic role for CAFs in PN, including a novel targetable WNT5A+ fibroblast subpopulation and CAF-associated malignancies in PN patients.