Rethinking Treatment Goals in Psoriasis: Leveraging IL-17 Inhibitors to Move Beyond Skin Clearance Toward PsA Prevention - Episode 1
Understanding of the Pathophysiologic Connection Between Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
In this opening segment, the experts introduce this series focused on rethinking treatment goals in psoriasis. The discussion begins with an overview of the strong pathophysiologic link between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The panelists explain that both conditions share an IL-23/Th17 inflammatory pathway, where activation of Th17 cells leads to cytokine release—such as IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22—driving inflammation in both skin and joints. This common mechanism helps explain why approximately one-third of patients with psoriasis eventually develop PsA. The experts emphasize that recognizing this overlap supports the need for therapeutic strategies that target shared cytokines early in the disease course. By addressing systemic inflammation before joint damage occurs, clinicians may be able to modify disease progression and improve long-term outcomes for patients with psoriatic disease.
In this opening segment, the experts introduce this series focused on rethinking treatment goals in psoriasis. The discussion begins with an overview of the strong pathophysiologic link between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The panelists explain that both conditions share an IL-23/Th17 inflammatory pathway, where activation of Th17 cells leads to cytokine release—such as IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22—driving inflammation in both skin and joints. This common mechanism helps explain why approximately one-third of patients with psoriasis eventually develop PsA. The experts emphasize that recognizing this overlap supports the need for therapeutic strategies that target shared cytokines early in the disease course. By addressing systemic inflammation before joint damage occurs, clinicians may be able to modify disease progression and improve long-term outcomes for patients with psoriatic disease.
