Strategies for Biomarker Development in Psoriatic Disease: A Report from the GRAPPA 2010 Annual Meeting

Abstract

Psoriatic disease includes psoriasis and associated comorbidities (arthritis, uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and anxiety/depression) and is remarkably diverse in disease presentation and course. The marked heterogeneity of musculoskeletal involvement in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) presents major challenges to clinicians regarding diagnosis, risk stratification, and management. Members of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) have begun collaborative efforts to develop biomarkers that can assist in the diagnosis and management of patients with psoriasis and related comorbidities. This brief review provides a rationale for biomarker research in PsA, consideration of types and sources of biomarkers, and examples of important biomarker studies in PsA, followed by a review of trial designs for biomarker research and a discussion of potential funding sources.