Research: genetics in acne

Published: 15 June 2011

The Skin Therapy Research Unit, St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, is currently running a multi-site research project into the genetics in acne. 

Current research suggests there is a strong genetic base for acne and families with first-degree relatives of acne sufferers have a three to four fold increase in risk of developing acne.

Understanding the genetic basis for acne could potentially identify new therapeutic options for treatment of all grades of acne; identify those susceptible to severe (scarring) disease and therefore likely to benefit from early intervention.

If you run or are involved in a general or specialist isotretinoin/roaccutane monitoring clinic it is an easy study to which to recruit.

There is one study visit for the patient, as only DNA is collected and a clinical history.  There is no follow-up required or drug administration.

There is local CLRN (comprehensive local research network) research support available in your local region and current recruitment to the study stands at 2,357 (as of May) and the recruitment target is a further 2,500 patients by Jan 2012.

Patients can be recruited into two cohorts, prospective and retrospective. Prospective patients are recruited through general and specialist acne and isotretinoin/roaccutane monitoring clinics. 

Clinical data is captured as well as a sample of the patient’s DNA in form of either blood or saliva. 

The retrospective cohort patients are contacted via a mail-out, details derived from isotretinoin/roaccutane prescribing lists from pharmacy or from specialist databases within the department.  Patients would be contacted by post, sent a patient information sheet and asked to take part.

Those wishing to consent would then be sent a short questionnaire, consent form and saliva collection kit for return.

For both prospective and retrospective cohort patients a dermatologist would need to sign-off the case report forms to confirm the patient’s diagnosis and disease severity and inclusion into the study.

Further information about the study can be accessed here or contact Robert.Pleass@gstt.nhs.uk

 Local CLRN research support is available and the Skin Therapy Research Unit will provide all study-related materials .