The effect of topically applied corticosteroids on interleukin 1β levels in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Background  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic recurrent disease of childhood. The therapeutics of AD needs to be more tailored given the new cytokine antibodies available. In this scenario we considered interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) levels before and after therapy with topical corticosteroids. Objectives  To measure the IL-1β levels before and after treatment in patients with AD after 75% improvement in scoring for atopic dermatitis index. Methods  Forty-five subjects with AD were treated with betamethasone ointment and their IL-1β level was measured prior to and following treatment. Results  The IL-1β levels were raised during disease activity and following improvement they decreased in a statistically significant manner. Also the IL-1β levels corresponded with the severity of disease activity. Conclusions  Newer modalities of therapy in the form of cytokine monoclonal antibodies should be studied in a larger scale in AD.