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Evaluating Risankizumab's Long-Term Effects in Psoriasis Using Optical Coherence Tomography
Henner Zirpel1, Linh Ha-Wissel1,2, Sarah Hobelsberger3
1Institute and Comprehensive Center for Inflammation Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Dermatology and Therapy
|January 23, 2026
Summary
Risankizumab significantly improved psoriasis symptoms and reduced subclinical inflammation over 52 weeks. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed lasting vascular changes, demonstrating its value in assessing treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease impacting quality of life.
- Risankizumab, an IL-23 inhibitor, effectively treats moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
- Conventional assessments may not fully capture subclinical inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term efficacy of risankizumab in moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
- To assess subclinical inflammation using optical coherence tomography (OCT).
- To correlate clinical outcomes with OCT-derived structural and vascular changes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, single-center study of 22 moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients treated with risankizumab.
- Clinical assessments (PASI, IGA, BSA) recorded over 52 weeks.
- OCT imaging analyzed epidermal thickness and vascularity in lesional and perilesional skin.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in PASI and BSA scores by week 16 (p<0.001).
- High rates of PASI 75/90/100 and IGA 0/1 achieved by week 52.
- OCT demonstrated reductions in epidermal thickness and vascular parameters, including in perilesional skin.
Conclusions:
- Risankizumab provides sustained clinical improvement and reduces subclinical inflammation in psoriasis.
- OCT is a valuable tool for assessing deep vascular treatment responses.
- Long-term risankizumab therapy offers benefits beyond visible skin clearance.
