The International Psoriasis Council (IPC) announced the publication of a report in the British Journal of Dermatology’s June edition that summarizes the IPC’s efforts to establish collaboration among leading geneticists and dermatologists to advance the understanding of the genetic basis of psoriasis.

The report outlines the progress achieved through the implementation of genome-wide association studies that have highlighted the key pathogenic pathways leading to psoriasis, a disease that affects 1-2% of the world population. The IPC now plans to use this knowledge by conducting a joint scientific, laboratory and patient-related study to better define the genetic architecture of psoriasis. The goal is to help design targeted therapies, the development of markers to monitor disease progression and drug responsiveness to help the vast numbers of patients afflicted with this condition.

"There have been huge advances in the understanding of the inherited basis of psoriasis. But we are only partially complete in clarifying the genetic effect,” said Professor Barker, an IPC board member.

IPC launched the collaboration in October 2011, by convening a workshop that included groups from genetic research laboratories. The collaboration is expected to lay the groundwork for innovative approaches to novel treatment strategies as well as to defining the therapeutic response to treatments in specific psoriasis patients by building a bridge between the genotype and phenotype of the disease.

“This is a landmark effort since it brings together the world’s leading experts in the fields of genetics and psoriasis in a collaborative venture to complete the genetic map of psoriasis, and with it the potential to deliver better future treatments,” said Peter van de Kerkhof, president of IPC.