Spatial transcriptomics analysis of urticarial rash skin from patients with Schnitzler syndrome

We conducted a multicenter, open-label, single-arm phase II trial (SCan Study) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of canakinumab in 5 Japanese patients with Schnitzler syndrome (SchS), based on a similar study conducted in Germany. As part of this study, spatial transcriptomics of urticarial rash skin lesions were performed before treatment in 2 cases to identify IL1B-expressing cells. The spatial transcriptomics analysis was conducted using the 10x Genomics Xenium platform. This study investigated the spatial transcriptomic profiles of urticarial rash skin lesions in two active Schnitzler syndrome (SchS) patients (a 68-year-old male and a 55-year-old male) with fever, rash, and IgM-kappa type monoclonal gammopathy. Skin tissue samples were collected before canakinumab administration as part of a multicenter, open-label, single-arm phase II trial (SCan Study). Spatial transcriptomics was performed using the 10x Genomics Xenium platform to identify IL1B-expressing cells within the tissue microenvironment.