A new article reported that the development of biologic therapies—from tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-inhibitors to interleukin (IL)-12/IL-23, IL-17, and IL-23 inhibitors—has revolutionized the treatment of psoriasis. With the advent of multiple therapeutic options, choosing a biologic agent can be challenging. 

Additionally, comorbidities may affect the decision of selecting a management strategy. The most common comorbidity in patients with psoriasis is psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Although many biologic therapies have been approved for PsA; some, for example– risankizumab and brodalumab, are not. 

This article informed that tofacitinib – FDA-approved for PsA but not psoriasis, has been found to be more effective than placebo for improving psoriasis and could likely benefits patients’ skin in addition to joints. However, when a psoriasis patient has joint pain, we do not need to choose a PsA-approved agent over what would otherwise have been the best therapy for our patient’s skin. It was stated that the same holds good for a reverse scenario.

Source: The Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2021 Sep 13;1-8.doi:10.1080/09546634.2021.1980976.