Emerging topical treatments for psoriasis

Abstract

Introduction: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory skin disease which classically presents as erythematous, scaly plaques affecting extensor surfaces of the limbs, scalp and trunk. Approximately 80% of patients have a mild-to-moderate form routinely treated with topical medications, whereas phototherapy, systemic and biological therapies are typically reserved for treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Areas covered: The major advances in psoriasis therapy in the past 15 years have been in new immunomodulatory and biological molecules, with a significant unmet need to have new, efficient and safe topical treatment options for the large percentage of patients for whom systemic therapy is not indicated. The available topical therapies (corticosteroids and vitamin D3 analogs) have remained relatively unchanged over the past several decades. This article reviews emerging topical drugs and formulations currently under evaluation in clinical trials.

Expert opinion: The time is right for a revolution in our topical therapy armamentarium. It has lagged significantly behind the systemic biological evolution of new drug development. Our large psoriasis population with mild-to-moderate psoriasis certainly deserves potent but safe and innovative topical agents with a new mode of action as well as with long-lasting clinical efficacy.