Zasocitinib in Plaque Psoriasis from the LATITUDE Trials

This episode, titled ‘Zasocitinib in Plaque Psoriasis from the LATITUDE Trials,’ features Dr. Tina Bhutani-Jacques and Dr. Mark Lebwohl as they analyze breakthrough data recently presented at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting. The experts focus on the efficacy of zasocitinib, a selective TYK2 inhibitor that demonstrated significant results in a difficult to treat patient cohort. Dr. Lebwohl notes that the study population included many individuals who were near the obesity threshold or had previously failed biologic therapies. Despite these challenges, the trial results showed that a quarter to a third of patients achieved total skin clearance, or PASI 100, within the first 16 weeks of treatment.

The discussion highlights that zasocitinib offers a level of efficacy previously reserved for injectable medications. Dr. Lebwohl points out that the drug shows an incremental benefit over time, with PASI 100 rates climbing as high as 42% by week 24. This trajectory suggests that while the drug may not peak as rapidly as some IL-17 blockers, its long term performance rivals many of the leading biologics currently on the market. Dr. Bhutani-Jacques emphasizes that these findings are a game changer for patients who desire the convenience of a pill without sacrificing the high clinical standards of modern psoriasis care. The experts conclude that zasocitinib effectively addresses a major unmet need by providing biologic level results in an oral format, offering a promising new direction for real world psoriasis management.

In the next episode, ‘Patient-Reported Outcomes and Safety of TYK2 Inhibitors in Psoriasis’, panelists will discuss the correlation between skin clearance and improvements in itch and quality of life. The experts also evaluate the safety distinctions between TYK2 and JAK inhibitors and the advocacy efforts to update tuberculosis screening requirements for modern psoriasis therapies.