THE ESSENTIAL
- Acne affects 80% of adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 20. This skin disease is occurring more and more frequently in adults, especially in women (25%).
- 29 new genes associated with acne have been discovered.
- These genetic data open the door to new potential treatments to put an end to this skin condition and make it possible to identify the people most vulnerable to severe forms.
Oily skin, blackheads, red pimples, small painful bumps… These different symptoms are those that occur when you suffer from acne. This common skin condition, which mainly affects the face, affects many adolescents and some adults. In about 15 to 20% of cases, this disease is severe, according to Health Insurance. “Severely inflamed lesions can leave permanent scars that have been associated with long-term psychosocial consequences,” wrote an international group of scientists, in a study published in the journal Nature Communications January 7.
“Despite major advances in the treatment of other skin conditions, progress in the area of acne is limited,” said Catherine Smith, author of the work and professor of dermatology at St John’s Institute of Dermatology (UK), in a statement. To be able to develop new treatments, the researchers wanted to determine if other genes were associated with the occurrence of acne and carried out a study.
29 new genes associated with acne have been discovered
For the purposes of the research, the scientists analyzed 9 works, involving 20,165 patients with acne and 595,231 people who did not suffer from this skin condition. The authors discovered 29 new genes in participants with acne that are believed to cause this condition and to be linked to other skin and hair problems. They also confirmed the presence of 14 of the 17 known genetic variants associated with acne, “bringing the total number of known genes to 46” responsible for this condition.
According to the researchers, this discovery would offer new potential targets for treatment. It would also make it possible to detect the patients, with a high genetic risk, who would be most likely to suffer from a severe form of acne. “We know that the causes of acne are complex, with a mix of biological factors such as genetics and hormones, and environmental factors. Understanding the genetics of the condition will help us unravel some of these causes and find the best way to treat the condition”, said Michael Simpson, author of the work.