Salivary Biomarkers May Offer Noninvasive Approach to Monitoring Atopic Dermatitis

Salivary biomarkers may provide a noninvasive approach to monitoring stress, sleep quality, and disease severity in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a review examining the complex mechanisms underlying disease development and progression.

The review explored the interactions among genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, environmental factors, and the skin and gut microbiota in AD pathogenesis. Researchers highlighted disturbances in innate and adaptive immune responses, ethnic differences in immune pathways, and microbial imbalances that contribute to skin barrier dysfunction.

AD is a chronic inflammatory skin disease influenced by multiple biologic and environmental factors. The review emphasized that understanding these interconnected mechanisms may improve disease assessment and inform more individualized management strategies.

Particular attention was given to salivary biomarkers, which may offer a less invasive method for evaluating factors associated with disease activity and patient well-being.

The authors identified several potential biomarkers, including cortisol, melatonin, alpha-amylase, chromogranin A, C-reactive protein, and immunoglobulin A. These markers may provide information about physiologic stress, sleep disturbances, and disease severity, potentially complementing conventional clinical assessments.

The review also examined the contribution of microbial dysbiosis to AD pathogenesis. Alterations in skin and gut microbial communities may interact with immune pathways and impair skin barrier function, contributing to the complexity of disease development.

Differences in immune pathways across ethnic populations were another consideration, underscoring the heterogeneous nature of AD and the importance of understanding variations in disease mechanisms.

The authors suggested that greater understanding of these factors “may support earlier diagnosis and different treatment strategies” while improving long-term disease management.

Reference
Abraityte S, Tamasauskiene L, Gasiuniene E, Jankauskaite L. Atopic dermatitis: pathogenesis, immunology, microbiome, and salivary biomarkers. Front Immunol. 2026;17:1782602. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2026.1782602