Lipidomics May Help Identify Biomarkers of Psoriasis Activity and Treatment Response
Alterations in lipid metabolism may provide insight into psoriasis disease activity, treatment response, and associated cardiometabolic complications, according to a review examining lipid profiles in patients with psoriasis.
Psoriasis is characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and systemic inflammation and is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic complications, including atherosclerosis, thromboembolic events, and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The review focused on identifying and characterizing lipid profile alterations in psoriasis and evaluating pro-inflammatory lipids as potential biomarkers of disease activity and treatment response.
Investigators highlighted metabolomics, particularly lipidomics, as an approach for examining metabolic dysregulation associated with psoriasis. Advanced techniques, including Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (MS), and UPLC-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight MS, allow researchers to detect and quantify lipid species associated with disease.
Specific lipid classes may have a central role in psoriasis pathogenesis, while fatty acids and their bioactive metabolites can modulate cutaneous inflammation and skin barrier function. Characterizing these alterations could help clarify the metabolic processes accompanying psoriasis and identify markers relevant to clinical disease.
Challenges remain in translating lipidomic findings across studies. The structural complexity and diversity of lipid molecules create analytical difficulties, particularly for method standardization and cross-study comparisons.
Despite these limitations, the authors emphasized the potential clinical value of understanding lipid abnormalities in psoriasis. According to the authors, “a comprehensive understanding of lipid metabolic alterations in psoriasis is critical” for identifying novel diagnostic biomarkers and developing targeted therapies designed to restore lipid homeostasis and improve clinical outcomes.
Reference
Boboryko D, Bratborska AW, Skórka P, Pawlik A. The role of lipidomics in psoriasis. Clin Chim Acta. 2026;578:120515. doi:10.1016/j.cca.2025.120515
