Pharmacological approach in psoriasis treatment

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin disease that affects approximately 2–3% of the global population. Its burden extends beyond dermatological symptoms, contributing to significant physical, psychological, and socioeconomic impacts. In recent years, advancements in the understanding of its immunopathogenesis—particularly the IL-23/Th17 pathway—have enabled the development of targeted pharmacotherapies. This literature review explores pharmacological treatment options for adult psoriasis patients, emphasizing open-access data from clinical trials, meta-analyses, and real- world studies published between 2017 and 2025. Methodologically, sources were retrieved using academic search platforms including PubMed Central, Elicit, and Litmaps, with an emphasis on robust clinical outcomes. Key findings demonstrate that biologics such as guselkumab and risankizumab offer superior efficacy and durability compared to traditional systemics and early biologics. Additionally, newer small molecules like deucravacitinib provide a promising oral alternative with favorable safety profiles. Despite significant progress, challenges such as cost, treatment accessibility, and special population needs persist. This review concludes with perspectives on future pharmacologic directions, including novel cytokine targets and personalized therapy strategies.