[Top: A man suffering from psoriasis.]Psoriasis Treatment
By Amresh Gunasingham
SCIENTISTS here may be a step closer to finding a cure for psoriasis, a disease that causes red scaly patches on the skin and affects 80 million people worldwide.
A study led by researchers at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) has made a vital breakthrough in identifying genes that play a significant role in the development of the disease.
The team found that a certain cluster of genes - called Late Cornified Envelope - create proteins around cells located in the outer layers of the skin, which act as a barrier against psoriasis.
The findings were published in the prestigious journal Natural Genetics yesterday.
'This is an important finding, as it advances our understanding of the genetic basis of psoriasis,' said Associate Professor Liu Jianjun of the GIS, who led the research effort.
The GIS aims to find cures for diseases through genetic research.
The research team, which included researchers from the Anhui Medical University in China, studied more than 2,000 people.
The study was significant as it was the first to be performed on a Chinese population. Previous studies focused only on Western populations.
Prof Liu said the findings will have important implications in early detection and predicting an individual's risk of developing the disease.
The condition is caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors such as climate, stress and hormone levels.
'With a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors involved, early diagnosis and even prevention of the disease is possible with proper treatment,' he said.
But he added that more research needed to be done before a cure could be developed.
According to the Psoriasis Association of Singapore, at least 13,000 people here suffer from the disease.
Dr Colin Pheng, president of the association, said the disease is a complicated one and linked to more than just a person's genetic makeup.
'The causes of psoriasis are multi-factorial, involving a combination of genetic and environmental factors,' he said.
'(But) research efforts can now be targeted in this area to ultimately find a cure for the disease.'
amreshg@sph.com.sg
This story was first published in The Straits Times on Jan 26, 2009.
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