How close are we to a cure for psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory condition that affects more than 7.5 million adults in the United States. Experts consid-er it an immune-mediated disease, which means that it is related to a dysfunction in the immune system that causes in-flammation. However, they do not fully understand what causes it.

Treatments focus on reducing systemic inflammation and addressing the physical manifestations, such as skin lesions. With effective treatment, a person living with psoriasis can almost fully control their symptoms, achieving remission.

This article reviews where psoriasis treatment currently stands and looks at what the future may hold for treating the con-dition.

Experts have not yet found a cure for psoriasis. However, available treatments can often significantly reduce psoriasis symptoms.

Doctors use several treatments to treat psoriasis. The variety of available treatments gives doctors a range of options and allows them to individualize treatment plans and change medications as necessary. This flexibility is important because not everyone will respond the same way to treatment.

Researchers are continually seeking to improve the quality and quantity of treatments that they can use to treat psoriasis and improve the quality of life for people with the condition.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, researchers are examining several new options for psoriasis, including the following.

A new topical medication, tapinarof, is currently under investigation. This new topical does not contain any steroids, but it may be just as effective as steroidal options. As it does not contain steroids, a person could use it anywhere on their body. Biologics are a type of therapy made of living cells from animals and other organisms. Doctors consider them a type of sys-temic treatment because they treat not only the skin but also widespread inflammation in the body.

Biologics work by blocking protein receptors on immune cells, which helps prevent or reduce inflammation. They can come in the form of infusions or injections.

Many biologics currently have approval to treat psoriasis. Two new biologics are also under investigation: bimekizumab and mirikizumab. Research suggests that these biologics are generally safe and effective. They may also have the potential to treat psoriatic arthritis.

In a 2022 study, researchers looked at real-world data for another type of biologic called brodalumab. They found that the use of brodalumab was safe in most people and generally effective, even in individuals who previously had not responded to other biologics.

MNT