Evolving Standards of Care in Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

This HCPLive Insights series, featuring Dr. Lindsay Ackerman, delves into the evolving landscape of moderate to severe psoriasis treatment. It begins by exploring how advancements in biologic and small molecule therapies have redefined clinical goals and improved patient outcomes. Dr. Ackerman emphasizes how these developments have shifted the standard of care toward more personalized, outcome-focused management, enhancing both efficacy and patient quality of life.

The discussion progresses to highlight the clinical and practical considerations in therapy selection. Dr. Ackerman examines how treatment decisions are influenced by factors such as disease severity, comorbidities, patient preferences, and long-term safety. She compares findings from head-to-head trials and real-world data, offering a nuanced view of how evidence shapes physician confidence in therapy sequencing and optimization. The series also addresses comparisons between oral small molecules and IL-23/IL-17 biologics, noting distinctions in efficacy, safety, and suitability for different patient types.

Finally, the series explores emerging and specialized aspects of psoriasis care. Dr. Ackerman discusses strategies for treating high-impact or visible areas (e.g., scalp, nails, genitals) and tailoring biologic choices to site-specific disease burdens. She advocates for improving clinical trial designs to reflect real-world populations and highlights the promise of biomarkers and novel agents in enabling precision-based treatment approaches. The discussion underscores a shift toward holistic, data-driven, and patient-centered psoriasis management.