Psoriasis affects about 8 million Americans, causing skin cells to build up into red, scaly patches that can itch, crack, and bleed. Treatment has changed dramatically in the past 15 years with the arrival of biologic drugs that target specific immune pathways. Most people now have multiple options, but severe cases and psoriatic arthritis still need better treatments.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing new biologics that block IL-23, IL-17, and other immune signals, oral JAK inhibitors and TYK2 inhibitors that work faster than older pills, and drugs aimed at preventing psoriatic arthritis before joint damage occurs. Researchers are also studying the gut microbiome and looking for biomarkers that predict which treatment will work best for each person.
IL-23 blockers
These biologics keep psoriasis clear longer with fewer doses than earlier drugs. Several are now FDA-approved, and newer versions are being tested to see if they work with even less frequent dosing.
Oral TYK2 inhibitors
A new class of pills targets a specific enzyme inside immune cells. Deucravacitinib was approved in 2022, and similar drugs are in trials, offering an alternative to injections.
Joint protection
Studies are testing whether treating skin psoriasis early and aggressively can prevent psoriatic arthritis. Some trials are enrolling people with skin disease but no joint symptoms yet.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on how much of your body is affected, whether you have psoriatic arthritis, prior treatment history, and sometimes willingness to stop current medications for a washout period.
What types of trials are currently open
- Biologic trials — Testing injectable drugs that target IL-23, IL-17, or TNF. These trials often compare new drugs to existing biologics to see which clears skin faster or keeps it clear longer.
- Oral medication trials — Testing pills like JAK inhibitors and TYK2 inhibitors. These may work faster than older pills like methotrexate, with results visible in weeks.
- Psoriatic arthritis trials — Testing drugs for people with both skin and joint symptoms, or studying whether treating skin disease prevents arthritis from developing.
- Topical trials — Testing creams, ointments, and foams for mild to moderate psoriasis, often looking at new formulations or combinations.
- Observational studies — Following people with psoriasis over time to understand disease patterns, treatment responses, and connections to other health conditions like heart disease.
Recently added Psoriasis trials
Take an experimental drug designed to reduce psoriatic arthritis symptoms
The purpose of this Phase 2a/b study is: 1. to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of DDY391 in participants with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). 2. to determine the dose-response relationship of DDY391 in participants with PsA to support dose selection for Phase 3.
Apply a new ointment to treat plaque psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory, and systemic disease mediated by immunity, induced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Its typical clinical manifestations are scaly erythema or plaques, which may be localized or widespread. It is non-contagious, difficult to treat, and often lifelong. The etiology of psoriasis involves multiple factors, including genetics, immunity, and environment. Through an immune response primarily mediated by T lymphocytes and jointly participated in by various immune cells, it causes hyperproliferation of keratinocytes or inflammation in joint synovial cells and chondrocytes. Psoriasis is an incurable disease; however, numerous therapeutic drugs and methods are currently available. Treatment regimens should be determined based on patient symptoms: mild psoriasis is mainly treated with topical therapies, while moderate-to-severe cases can be managed with systemic therapies. Targeted biologics may be appropriately selected for patients who show an inadequate response to traditional systemic therapies. The goals of psoriasis treatment focus on controlling symptoms and improving patients' quality of life. Psoriasis is classified into different subtypes, among which plaque psoriasis is the most common subtype (accounting for approximately 90%). Among these, about 80% of psoriasis patients have mild disease, with topical drug therapy being the preferred first-line treatment. Currently, commonly used topical agents include vitamin D3 derivatives, glucocorticoids, retinoids, and topical combination preparations. Recent studies have revealed that the interaction between lipocalin-2 (LCN2) and its receptor SLC22A17 plays a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of psoriasis: the LCN2/SLC22A17 axis induces abnormal cholesterol metabolism in keratinocytes by activating the SREBP2 pathway, and acts synergistically with the NLRC4 inflammasome to trigger the release of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1$\\beta$ and IL-18. This chemoselectively recruits and activates neutrophils, establishing a continuously amplified inflammatory cascade. Notably, direct inhibitors or antagonists targeting the SLC22A17 receptor have not been fully developed in existing technologies, and reports regarding the molecular structures, selectivity, and druggability of relevant compounds remain rare. Most studies are still confined to preliminary exploration via genetic intervention or antibody blockade, lacking molecular entities that can be translated into clinical applications. By screening and validating the potential of the specific small-molecule compound XJH05 to achieve upstream intervention in psoriasis by targeting SLC22A17, we aim to provide a therapeutic solution for psoriasis that possesses both mechanistic innovation and clinical feasibility. This small-molecule drug can specifically bind to the active site of the SLC22A17 protein, blocking the interaction between SLC22A17 and LCN2. Consequently, it inhibits the activation of the LCN2-SREBP2-NLRC4 signaling axis and downregulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby blocking at the molecular level both the pathological hyperproliferation of epidermal keratinocytes and the infiltration of immune cells such as neutrophils, which are characteristic features of psoriasis. Although numerous drugs and therapeutic methods are currently available for psoriasis, it remains an incurable disease. Through animal experiments and in vitro drug interventions on psoriasis patient skin lesions, we have demonstrated that the small-molecule drug XJH05 is safe, effective, and free of adverse reactions; however, clinical data regarding XJH05 ointment in the treatment of patients with plaque psoriasis are still lacking. Therefore, we plan to conduct a prospective, interventional, exploratory study on the efficacy of XJH05 ointment in treating plaque psoriasis, hoping to provide further evidence regarding the therapeutic efficacy of XJH05 ointment in the psoriasis patient population.
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