Genetic data may be used for preventive strategies and a tailored treatment regimen in atopic dermatitis (AD), a new study suggests. The review describes genetic discoveries for AD, including results from candidate gene studies, studies of AD-like genetic diseases, genome-wide association studies, and genetic sequencing studies. Among the highlights and conclusions:

• Genetic studies have played a major role in understanding defects of the epidermal barrier in AD.
• Twin studies estimated the heritability of AD to be approximately 75%.
• >30 genetic loci have been linked to AD across different populations.
• Identification of these loci provided new insights into disease biology and identified novel drug targets.