About this Research Topic
Chronic pruritus (CP) is defined by the presence of the sensation for at least 6 weeks according to the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI). CP is described as a symptom of pruritogenic diseases such as inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune dermatoses, hepatobiliary and chronic kidney diseases, systemic and cutaneous lymphoma, solid neoplasms, neuropathic and psychic diseases. As a disease symptom, CP is highly prevalent in the population. Though CP parallels the onset of the causing disease, treatment of the underlying disease does not control, in most cases, the pruritus. In diabetes mellitus, for example, control of the metabolic situation does not lead to a relief of pruritus. In atopic dermatitis, itching and scratching can persist independent of the clinical healing of eczema and can trigger recurrence of the disease.
The neurobiology of CP seems to be unique and independent from the causing disease. CP thus necessitates specific and own therapy approaches independent of the triggering initial condition. In fact, recent several studies confirmed the assumption of a peripheral and central neuronal sensitization underlying CP. This Research Topic shall summarize our improved understanding of the neurobiology of pruritus, the identification of novel pharmaceutical targets and methods in itch research.
The aim of this Research Topic is to gather manuscripts on the neurobiology and the clinical therapy of CP, with specific emphasis on, but not limited to, the following questions and themes.
• Which nerves transmit itch?
• Neuronal sensitization to itch: what is new?
• Central representation of itch: what is our current understanding?
• The connection between itch and genes.
• Electrical stimulation in humans
• Mast cells: still important in the itch field?
• Which interleukins are important in dermatological itch?
• Molecular mediators in cholestatic pruritus: what is new?
• Itch: a global problem?
• Teledermatology for itching
• Should we use pain assessment instruments (QST) in itch?
• Small fiber neuropathy: link to itch?
• Neuropathic itch: routes to clinical diagnostic
• Psychic factors in itch and pain: similarities?
• Management of Drug-induced pruritus.
• Chronic Prurigo
• Immunological treatment of itch
• Uremic pruritus: drugs in the pipeline
• Atopic Itch: what is new?
• Itch in scabies: what do we know?
Conflicts of Interest
Topic Editor Prof. Sonja Ständer received financial support from Almirall, Beiersdorf, Bellus Health, Cara Therapeutics, Celgene, Galderma Laboratorium, Galderma S.A., Clexio Biosciences, LEO, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Sienna Biopharmaceuticals, Trevi Therapeutics and Vanda Pharmaceuticals. Prof. Ständer has currently and recently had collaborative research contracts on pruritus with Dermasence, Kiniksa, Galderma, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis and Trevi Therapeutics. The other Topic Editors declare no conflicts of interest.
The neurobiology of CP seems to be unique and independent from the causing disease. CP thus necessitates specific and own therapy approaches independent of the triggering initial condition. In fact, recent several studies confirmed the assumption of a peripheral and central neuronal sensitization underlying CP. This Research Topic shall summarize our improved understanding of the neurobiology of pruritus, the identification of novel pharmaceutical targets and methods in itch research.
The aim of this Research Topic is to gather manuscripts on the neurobiology and the clinical therapy of CP, with specific emphasis on, but not limited to, the following questions and themes.
• Which nerves transmit itch?
• Neuronal sensitization to itch: what is new?
• Central representation of itch: what is our current understanding?
• The connection between itch and genes.
• Electrical stimulation in humans
• Mast cells: still important in the itch field?
• Which interleukins are important in dermatological itch?
• Molecular mediators in cholestatic pruritus: what is new?
• Itch: a global problem?
• Teledermatology for itching
• Should we use pain assessment instruments (QST) in itch?
• Small fiber neuropathy: link to itch?
• Neuropathic itch: routes to clinical diagnostic
• Psychic factors in itch and pain: similarities?
• Management of Drug-induced pruritus.
• Chronic Prurigo
• Immunological treatment of itch
• Uremic pruritus: drugs in the pipeline
• Atopic Itch: what is new?
• Itch in scabies: what do we know?
Conflicts of Interest
Topic Editor Prof. Sonja Ständer received financial support from Almirall, Beiersdorf, Bellus Health, Cara Therapeutics, Celgene, Galderma Laboratorium, Galderma S.A., Clexio Biosciences, LEO, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis, Sienna Biopharmaceuticals, Trevi Therapeutics and Vanda Pharmaceuticals. Prof. Ständer has currently and recently had collaborative research contracts on pruritus with Dermasence, Kiniksa, Galderma, Menlo Therapeutics, Novartis and Trevi Therapeutics. The other Topic Editors declare no conflicts of interest.
Keywords: Pruritus, Itch, Prurigo, Sensitization, Atopic Dermatitis
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