Psoriasis treatment has significantly advanced with biologics targeting the IL-23/IL-17 pathway, offering high efficacy but at a substantial cost and with complex administration methods, limiting patient accessibility. In response, research has shifted toward developing accessible oral therapies such as small molecule inhibitors and oral microbials, targeting cytokines like tumor necrosis factor and IL-17, with many progressing to late-stage clinical trials. These emerging treatments promise convenience and reduced costs, presenting an evolving treatment landscape.

This study delves into oral therapies for psoriasis, highlighting the progress of clinical trials and the mechanisms of these treatments. Oral therapies, including TNF inhibitors and novel small molecules, show promise as practical alternatives to biologics, with treatments like JNJ-2113 and TYK2 inhibitors moving into phase III trials. However, as these therapies approach market readiness, there is a crucial need for real-world data and comparative trials to ensure they are effectively integrated into clinical practice, considering patient diversity, cost-efficiency, and ease of administration.

Reference: Drakos A, Torres T, Vender R. Emerging Oral Therapies for the Treatment of Psoriasis: A Review of Pipeline Agents. Pharmaceutics. 2024 Jan 15;16(1):111. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010111. PMID: 38258121; PMCID: PMC10819460.