NPF Primer: GLP-1s Worth Considering as Adjunct for Select Psoriasis Patients

Available evidence suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists warrant consideration as an adjunct to conventional treatments for psoriasis.Multiple studies have shown that GLP-1 receptor agonists improve psoriasis disease status and quality of life.The greatest benefits occur in patients with obesity, as weight loss appears to enhance effects of psoriasis medications. GLP-1 receptor agonists represent a "biologically plausible and clinically intriguing adjunct" to psoriasis therapy for selected patients, authors of a National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) "primer" concluded. The evidence showed that GLP-1 agonists and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 agents have been associated with clinically meaningful reductions in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), accompanied by improvements in quality of life. Additionally, semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) have been associated with reductions in C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, lipids, and visceral adiposity. Small translational studies have shown correlations between improvement in PASI scores and reductions in superficial adiposity and dermal γδ T-cell density. GLP-1 receptor agonists can be combined safely with methotrexate, cyclosporine, and biological agents used to treat psoriatic diseases. Preliminary data have shown both metabolic and immunomodulatory benefits, the authors stated in JAMA Dermatology. "We think the paper is important because it's actually addressing the question of whether dermatologists and