Psoriasis: a focus on upcoming oral formulations

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Pharmacology
• Drug Development

Background:

• Psoriasis treatments have advanced, with targeted therapies improving patient quality of life.
• Oral therapies are emerging as a convenient alternative to existing treatments.
• Current oral therapies need improved efficacy and safety profiles comparable to biologics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review emerging oral therapies for psoriasis currently under development.
• To highlight novel drug candidates and their mechanisms of action.
• To discuss the future therapeutic landscape for psoriasis management.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of scientific literature.
• Literature search focused on articles published between January 1, 2020, and June 6, 2023.
• Inclusion of studies on oral psoriasis treatments in clinical trials.

Main Results:

• Deucravacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, is approved for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
• Numerous oral agents targeting pathways like IL-17, IL-23, and Tyrosine Kinase 2 (Tyk2) are in clinical trials.
• Other investigational oral therapies include A3AR agonists, HSP90 inhibitors, ROCK-2 inhibitors, TNF inhibitors, and phosphodiesterase 4 (PD4) inhibitors.

Conclusions:

• The approval of deucravacitinib marks a significant advancement in oral psoriasis treatment.
• A diverse range of novel oral therapies are anticipated to become available, offering more treatment options.
• Increased variety in administration routes will enhance patient-centered care and therapeutic decision-making.