Plasma IL-17A, IFN-γ, and MIP-3α profiles are associated with clinical stage transition in first-episode psychosis.

Background: Early detection of individuals at risk for clinical deterioration in first-episode psychosis (FEP) remains a vital challenge in psychiatric care. Emerging evidence indicates that immune dysregulation might play a crucial role in the pathophysiology and progression of psychotic disorders. This study examined associations between a plasma cytokine and chemokine panel and clinical stage transition in FEP patients. Methods: Using multiplex immunoassays, plasma samples from a small cohort of 35 FEP patients were screened for the quantification of 21 analytes. Participants were clinically assessed at baseline and follow-up and classified according to a validated staging model. Data were used to assess associations with clinical stability over a 12-month follow-up period. Results: IL-17A was increased in transitioning patients (uncorrected p = 0.045; adjusted p = 0.64 after correction for multiple comparisons). A logistic regression model combining IL-17A, IFN-γ and MIP-3α discriminated between groups with an AUC of 0.853 in this exploratory cohort. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential relevance of neuroimmune mechanisms in the development of psychotic disorders and suggest that immunological markers may merit further consideration within staging-based models of care, pending external validation. Incorporating cytokine profiling into clinical practice may potentially inform personalized treatment strategies and lead to better long-term outcomes for individuals with FEP.