Raquel Leão Orfali

Prof. Dr. Raquel Leão Orfali

Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

23Years (2004-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 August 2016 in Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MZMariana Colombini Zaniboni
Mariana Colombini Zaniboni
LSLuciana Paula Samorano
Luciana Paula Samorano
RORaquel Leão Orfali
Raquel Leão Orfali
VAValéria Aoki
Valéria Aoki
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a complex pathogenesis, where changes in skin barrier and imbalance of the immune system are relevant factors. The skin forms a mechanic and immune barrier, regulating water loss from the internal to the external environment, and protecting the individual from external aggressions, such as microorganisms, ultraviolet radiation and physical trauma. Main components of the skin barrier are located in the outer layers of the epidermis (such as filaggrin), the proteins that form the tight junction (TJ) and components of the innate immune system. Recent data involving skin barrier reveal new information regarding its structure and its role in the mechanic-immunological defense; atopic dermatitis (AD) is an example of a disease related to dysfunctions associated with this complex.

1 October 2014 in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
DBD I S Batista
D I S Batista
LPL Perez
L Perez
RORaquel Leão Orfali
Raquel Leão Orfali
MZM C Zaniboni
M C Zaniboni
LSL P Samorano
L P Samorano
Valeria AokiValeria Aoki
Valeria Aoki

6 February 2026 in Allergy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
Torsten ZuberbierTorsten Zuberbier
Torsten Zuberbier
ZAZainab AbdulHameed Ansari
Zainab AbdulHameed Ansari
ALAmir H. Abdul Latiff
Amir H. Abdul Latiff
MAM. M. Abuzakouk
M. M. Abuzakouk
MJMaria Socorro Agcaoili‐De Jesus
Maria Socorro Agcaoili‐De Jesus
AGAna M. M Giménez-Arnau
Ana M. M Giménez-Arnau
This update and revision of the international guideline for urticaria was developed in accordance with the methods recommended by Cochrane and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group. It is an initiative of the Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network (GA 2 LEN) and its Urticaria and Angioedema Centers of Reference and Excellence (UCAREs and ACAREs), with the participation of 210 delegates from 107 national and international societies, from 59 countries. The consensus conference was held on December 6th, 2024. This guideline was acknowledged and accepted by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Urticaria is a frequent, mast cell‐driven disease, defined by a rapid appearance of wheals, angioedema, or both. The lifetime prevalence of acute urticaria is estimated to be approximately 20%. Chronic urticaria, categorized as either chronic spontaneous urticaria or chronic inducible urticaria, is disabling, impairs quality of life, and affects performance at work and school, however, novel therapies are available. This updated version of the international guideline for urticaria covers the definition and classification of urticaria and outlines expert‐guided and evidence‐based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the different subtypes of urticaria.

5 June 2019 in Toxins
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Journal Article
Open access
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FYFabio Seiti Yamada Yoshikawa
Fabio Seiti Yamada Yoshikawa
JLJosenilson Lima
Josenilson Lima
MSMaria Notomi Sato
Maria Notomi Sato
YRYasmim Alefe Leuzzi Ramos
Yasmim Alefe Leuzzi Ramos
Valeria AokiValeria Aoki
Valeria Aoki
RORaquel Leão Orfali
Raquel Leão Orfali
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and inflammatory skin disease with intense pruritus and xerosis. AD pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and immunological factors, including the participation of Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium colonizes up to 30–100% of AD skin and its virulence factors are responsible for its pathogenicity and antimicrobial survival. This is a concise review of S. aureus superantigen-activated signaling pathways, highlighting their involvement in AD pathogenesis, with an emphasis on skin barrier disruption, innate and adaptive immunity dysfunction, and microbiome alterations. A better understanding of the combined mechanisms of AD pathogenesis may enhance the development of future targeted therapies for this complex disease.

24 January 2024 in Allergy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SWSheng‐Pei Wang
Sheng‐Pei Wang
NSNicholas Stefanovic
Nicholas Stefanovic
RORaquel Leão Orfali
Raquel Leão Orfali
Valeria AokiValeria Aoki
Valeria Aoki
SBSara J. Brown
Sara J. Brown
KAKatrina Abuabara
Katrina Abuabara
Atopic dermatitis (AD), the most burdensome skin condition worldwide, is influenced by climatic factors and air pollution; however, the impact of increasing climatic hazards on AD remains poorly characterized. Leveraging an existing framework for 10 climatic hazards related to greenhouse gas emissions, we identified 18 studies with evidence for an impact on AD through a systematic search. Most climatic hazards had evidence for aggravation of AD the impact ranged from direct effects like particulate matter‐induced AD exacerbations from wildfires to the potential for indirect effects like drought‐induced food insecurity and migration. We then created maps comparing the past, present, and future projected burden of climatic hazards to global AD prevalence data. Data are lacking, especially from those regions most likely to experience more climatic hazards. We highlight gaps important for future research: understanding the synergistic impacts of climatic hazards on AD, long‐term disease activity, the differential impact on vulnerable populations, and how basic mechanisms explain population‐level trends.

8 February 2023 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RORaquel Leão Orfali
Raquel Leão Orfali
Valeria AokiValeria Aoki
Valeria Aoki
Atopic dermatitis (AD), a pruritic, inflammatory chronic disease with multifactorial pathogenesis, has been a therapeutic challenge. Novel target treatments aim to reduce not only the immunologic dysfunction and microbiome dysbiosis but also the recovery of the damaged skin barrier. The current review focuses on the interleukin 31 (IL-31) pathway and AD and offers an overview of the current clinical studies with monoclonal antibodies blocking this cascade. Pruritus, the key symptom of AD, has substantial participation of the IL-31 complex and activation of relevant signaling pathways. Epidermal keratinocytes, inflammatory cells, and cutaneous peripheral nerves express the interleukin-31 receptor α-chain (IL-31RA), upregulated by Staphylococcus aureus toxins or Th2 cytokines involved in AD. Nemolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that antagonizes IL-31RA, inhibiting the IL-31 cascade and therefore contributing to reducing the pruritus and inflammation and recovering the damaged skin barrier in AD patients. Phases 2 and 3 clinical trials with nemolizumab in AD show a suitable safety profile, with a fast, efficient, and sustained reduction of pruritus and severity scores, especially when associated with topical treatment. Deciphering the full interplay of the IL-31 pathway and AD may expand the potential of nemolizumab as a targeted therapy for AD and other pruritic conditions.