New Treatments for Psoriasis: What’s Next in Psoriasis Care?

Psoriasis affects close to 100 million people across the globe. Their journey to relief from this chronic, immune-mediated condition often involves navigating flare-ups, systemic inflammation, and the emotional toll of visible symptoms.

The good news is that, in recent years, the landscape of psoriasis care has evolved dramatically. From targeted biologics to oral therapies with biologic-like effectiveness, new options are reshaping what’s possible. Emerging psoriasis research is also uncovering connections between the disease and metabolic health, offering new strategies for holistic management.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or exploring new options, evolving guidelines, clinical trial data, and real-world insights can be overwhelming. Forefront is here to help guide you through the latest innovations and most promising treatments shaping psoriasis care.

Assessing psoriasis severity: Who needs systemic therapy?

For years, psoriasis severity was measured primarily by how much skin was affected, and doctors evaluated patients using traditional measures such as the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and body surface area (BSA). Yet, these measures didn’t fully capture the condition’s impact on daily life, leaving many people undertreated. Today, dermatologists recognize that the impact of psoriasis goes far beyond the surface area. Pain, itching, emotional distress, and quality of life all factor into whether systemic therapy—defined as any medication that travels through the blood to treat cells throughout the body—is appropriate.

To more accurately guide clinical decisions, the International Psoriasis Council (IPC) recently developed a more holistic framework and revised its guidelines for classifying psoriasis as severe and therefore determining eligibility for systemic treatment. The new guidelines mean more people qualify for systemic treatment, and they more accurately reflect the real-world implications of the disease.

Exploring today’s psoriasis treatment landscape

Psoriasis care is indeed transforming. Gone are the days of rotating through topical creams or settling for partial relief. Today, patients and providers have access to a growing arsenal of systemic therapies, each targeting the disease from a different angle and offering new hope for long-term control.

What’s new in IL-23 inhibition: The rise of icotrokinra

One class of biologic medications known as IL-23 inhibitors has already transformed psoriasis care. These drugs target interleukin (IL-23), a type of protein that plays a role in immune system dysfunction. Now, a new investigational therapy is pushing the category even further: icotrokinra, a first-in-class oral peptide that selectively blocks the IL-23 receptor.

The new drug “provided superior skin responses to both placebo and the JAK inhibitor deucravacitinib, but the rate of adverse events was lower on the novel agent, primarily due to fewer infections,” said Linda Stein Gold, MD, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health.

For patients, icotrokinra could offer the power of a biologic in the convenience of a pill, which means no injections, no refrigeration, and potentially fewer side effects. And for physicians, it expands the IL-23 class beyond injectables, offering a new option for patients who have a hard time administering self-injections or just need a simpler regimen.

TYK2 inhibitors: A new oral option

TYK2 inhibitors are emerging as a powerful new psoriasis treatment by targeting inflammation without suppressing the immune system as much assome of the older drugs. Several of the most recent TYK2 inhibitors are also now in clinical trials and showing impressive results, including ESK-001 (Alumis), D-2570 (InventisBio), and ICP-488.

GLP-1 receptor agonists: A metabolic twist in psoriasis care

Originally developed for type 2 diabetes and weight management, GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) like semaglutide and liraglutide are now gaining traction as supplemental therapies for psoriasis—reducing inflammation while also improving metabolic health.

Recent studies have shown these drugs significantly reduce psoriasis severity, especially in patients with obesity, insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome. Plus, they may also improve mood, reduce addictive behavior (like alcohol and substance abuse), and lower long-term health risks.

Researchers also report that combining IL-17 biologics with GLP-1 receptor agonists is showing promise for both the underlying inflammation and the associated metabolic comorbidities, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes,benefits that neither medication class provides alone.

Beyond biologics: What’s on the horizon?

Researchers continue to push the boundaries, exploring therapies that are more targeted and less invasive, while deepening our understanding of psoriasis as a systemic, immune-driven condition with complex triggers and pathways.

A few promising innovations are currently under evaluation:

• Steroid-free peptide therapies: A new class of tripeptides derived from PEPITEM shows steroid-level results without the side effects.
• Blue-light activated compounds: Researchers have developed a compound that activates only when exposed to blue light, which means treatment can be targeted. This injectable treatment could be a game-changer for patients with sensitive skin or those seeking non-invasive options.
• Epigenetic reprogramming: Early-stage studies are exploring how to retrain immune cells to “forget” their inflammatory programming, which could dramatically decrease the inflammation associated with psoriasis.
• Microbiome modulation: Investigators are studying how gut and skin microbiota influence psoriasis severity. Future treatments may include targeted probiotics or microbiome-based topicals to restore immune balance.

Psoriasis and its treatments can be complex, but you have a partner in your care. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or experienced with various therapies, we’re committed to helping you find what’s next.

If you’re ready to learn more about the future of psoriasis care and how it can help you live a more fulfilling life, contact a member of our team today!