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Repurposing Old Drugs: Roflumilast as a Promising Therapeutic Option for Plaque Psoriasis.
Shan Li1, Naichao Wu1, Xingren Liu1
1Department of Dermatology, The 78th Group Army Hospital of the Chinese PLA, Mudanjiang, People's Republic of China.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
|July 6, 2026
Summary
Roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, effectively treats plaque psoriasis with oral and topical forms. It offers a convenient option, particularly for sensitive areas, though further trials are needed.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is implicated in psoriasis pathogenesis.
- Roflumilast is a selective PDE4 inhibitor with oral and topical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review roflumilast's mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety in plaque psoriasis.
- To assess roflumilast's clinical utility and compare it with existing psoriasis treatments.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library.
- Keywords included "roflumilast", "PDE4 inhibitor", and "plaque psoriasis" up to early 2026.
Main Results:
- Both oral and topical roflumilast formulations demonstrate significant improvements in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) scores.
- Roflumilast exhibits a favorable safety and tolerability profile.
Conclusions:
- Roflumilast is a practical therapeutic option for plaque psoriasis, suitable for sensitive skin areas and patients with comorbidities.
- Larger head-to-head trials comparing roflumilast with biologic therapies are warranted.
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