This New Study Discovered Twenty-Nine Genetic Indicators For Acne, Creating Hope For New Ways Of Treating It
In the United States alone, between forty and fifty million individuals are affected by acne.
People of all ages turn to over-the-counter treatments, dermatologists, and even home remedies in hopes of curbing the often painful and frustrating condition.
Unfortunately, treating acne can feel like an uphill battle. And while struggling to find what works for you, the stigma surrounding acne can result in adverse psychological effects.
This consequence is specifically a cause for concern in teenagers.
But, a new study– conducted by researchers at the St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, King’s College London, St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute– has identified twenty-nine genetic markers that impact acne.
The researchers believe that, through these findings, new treatment targets for acne may have been identified.
Additionally, doctors may now be able to determine if an individual has a higher risk factor for severe acne.
The study included genetic data from more than twenty thousand individuals affected by acne and from nearly six hundred thousand individuals who did not have acne.
Before this study, only seventeen genetic variants had known associations with acne. Now, this number has jumped to forty-six.
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Catherine Smith, a Professor of Dermatology and Therapeutics at St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, is thrilled that this research could lead to more favorable treatment outcomes.
“Despite major treatment advances in other skin conditions, progress in acne has been limited. As well as suffering from the symptoms of acne, individuals describe consequent profound negative impacts on their psychological and social wellbeing. It is exciting that this work opens up potential avenues to find treatments for them,” Smith said.
Micheal Simpson, head of the Genomic Medicine Group at King’s College London, also discussed how these genetic insights could aid doctors in pinpointing the cause of acne from person to person.
“We know that the causes of acne are complicated, with a mix of biological factors such as genetics and hormones, and environmental factors.
Understanding the genetics of the condition will help us disentangle some of these causes and find the best way to treat the condition. This is a really promising area for further study,” Simpson said.
In addition to discovering twenty-nine genetic variants associated with acne, the researchers also found that individuals with higher genetic risk have a greater chance of developing severe acne.
While the researchers acknowledge that further research is needed in this area, they are hopeful that this finding could aid in early intervention treatment.
To read the complete scientific study, visit the link here.
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