Articles

A study found psoriasis patients treated with biologic therapy had a significant reduction in high-risk plaque in heart arteries over 1 year.

Biologic Therapy for Psoriasis May Reduce Heart Disease

A new study in Arthritis Care & Research found depression and anxiety reduces the possibility of achieving minimal disease activity in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Study: Depression, Anxiety Reduce Likelihood of Achieving Minimal Disease Activity in PsA Patients 

New guidance statements related to COVID-19 vaccines and psoriatic disease patients have been published by the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) COVID-19 Task Force. 

NPF Issues New Guidance Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines 

Several systemic therapies are currently available for the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Biologics changed the game for treatment. Continued study of and innovation in IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors promise even better results, but clinicians need to understand each biologic in detail. 

IL-17, IL-23 Inhibitors May Outperform Older Biologics, Oral Therapies

A recent study found patients with high baseline cardiovascular risk who had taken ustekinumab were at increased risk for developing severe cardiovascular events following treatment.

Ustekinumab associated with increased cardiovascular risk in some patients

John Jesitus is a medical writer based in Westminster, CO.

Highlighting the relationship between long-term safety and drug survival, a recent review may help address physician reluctance in prescribing conventional systemic psoriasis treatments. 

Long-term safety and drug survival of oral systemics for psoriasis

In a recent study, psoriasis drugs showed widely variable drug survival rates, owing to differences in safety, efficacy, patient satisfaction and other factors. However, concerns linger over potential to cause long-term cumulative organ toxicity.

Safety profiles differentiate conventional therapies

Comorbidities, co-medication, organ impairment, functional deterioration and frailty make treatment plans challenging for older psoriasis patients. However, these patients should not be precluded but will require more extensive evaluation and assessment, according to a recent study.

Systemic psoriasis therapies not age-dependent

A phase 3b study investigating the efficacy and safety of risankizumab compared to secukinumab showed positive results, with risankizumab demonstrating noninferiority to secukinumab at week 16, and superiority at week 52. 

Risankizumab outperforms secukinumab at one year 

Phase 3 data show tildrakizumab’s (Ilumya, Sun Pharma) efficacy and safety last up to five years.

Emerging Therapies Plaque Psoriasis