JAMA Dermatol
Could GLP-1 drugs double as psoriasis therapy? New primer highlights emerging benefits
The use of an emollient on dry, flaky skin, as in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema and other dry skin.
Clinical takeaway: Consider GLP-1 receptor agonists as adjunctive therapy in psoriasis patients with obesity or metabolic comorbidities, where they may improve both cardiometabolic risk and skin outcomes.
Psoriasis is tightly linked to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease—raising interest in therapies that can target both metabolic dysfunction and inflammatory pathways simultaneously.
A new National Psoriasis Foundation–backed review in JAMA Dermatology highlights growing evidence that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists—widely used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss—may also improve psoriasis severity and systemic inflammation.
Across small, short-term studies (typically 7–48 patients over ≤6 months), GLP-1 agents such as semaglutide and liraglutide were associated with relative reductions in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores of roughly 40% to 80%, alongside improvements in quality of life. In studies with larger cohorts, PASI reductions averaged closer to 50%. Benefits appeared most pronounced in patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes, supporting a link between adiposity and disease severity.
Mechanistically, GLP-1 therapy was associated with reductions in inflammatory biomarkers—including C-reactive protein and interleukin-6—as well as improvements in lipids and visceral adiposity. Translational data suggest skin improvement may correlate with decreased dermal γδ T-cell density and reduced adipose-driven inflammation.
Safety profiles were consistent with prior experience: primarily transient gastrointestinal symptoms, with rare risks of pancreatitis or gallbladder disease. Importantly, GLP-1 agents were reported to be safely combined with methotrexate, cyclosporine, and biologics.
“GLP-1–based therapies target shared metabolic and inflammatory pathways in psoriasis,” the authors noted, calling them a “biologically plausible and clinically intriguing” adjunct.
Still, the authors emphasize that most data come from small, uncontrolled studies, underscoring the need for larger randomized trials before routine dermatologic use.
Source: Sheth S, et al. (2026, April 29). JAMA Dermatol. The National Psoriasis Foundation Primer on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Psoriasis: A Review