MicroRNAs as biomarkers for acne scarring
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MicroRNAs as mechanismbased biomarkers of wound scarring and repair in acne
IRAS ID
165669
Contact name
Alison Layton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Acne is one of the most common skin diseases affecting up to 5 million people in the UK. Scarring is a frequent consequence of acne, occurring in up to 90% of cases. Scarring can produce significant psychological problems including depression, anxiety and low self-esteem and treatments for scarring remain limited.
There is evidence to suggest patients who scar have a prolonged inflammatory and increased immune response. This may be due to a genetic predisposition as there is a link between family history and scarring.
The primary aim of the current study is to identify microRNAs as a marker for patients who may suffer with acne scarring.
MicroRNAs have outstanding potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers of disease, meaning they may be able to predict who might get a disease. These have not been investigated in acne scarring.
The benefit of studying microRNA tissue profiles for acne induced scarring, is that this could provide significant clues to what drives acne scarring in some people and in turn this understanding could then help to improve treatment.
This analysis of different microRNA profiles can identify the processes involved in healing and scarring and also the effect of specific interventions on these processes. Furthermore, thanks to the ability to detect specific microRNA signatures of scarring it is highly likely to lead to a blood test that could predict which patients are more likely to suffer with scarring as a result of acne.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/1232
Date of REC Opinion
10 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion