PCSK9 is upregulated and correlated with more severe disease condition but fails to predict treatment outcomes in psoriasis patients.

Background: Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) not only regulates cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular disorder but also modifies inflammatory response and autoimmunity.

Objective: This study investigated the relation of PCSK9 to clinical features and treatment outcomes in psoriasis patients.

Methods: One hundred and five psoriasis patients who initiated systemic treatment due to moderate-to-severe disease condition were enrolled. Baseline characteristics and treatment response after 12-week treatment were collected. Their serum samples before treatment initiation were collected and sent to PCSK9 detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum PCSK9 was also detected in 30 healthy subjects.

Results: PCSK9 level was 2-fold times in psoriasis patients vs. healthy subjects. PCSK9 could predict psoriasis risk with AUC of 0.777. By optimum cutoff value of 179 ng/ml, PCSK9 had the best predictive potential for psoriasis risk. PCSK9 quartile was positively correlated with BMI, hyperlipemia history, PASI, and sPGA. However, PCSK9 quartile was not correlated with PASI 75 response, PASI 90 response, or sPGA 0/1 response at week 12.

Conclusion: PCSK9 is upregulated and correlated with severe disease condition, but fails to predict treatment outcomes in psoriasis patients.