New Treatments & Clinical Trials for Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis affects about 30% of people with psoriasis, causing joint pain, stiffness, and sometimes permanent damage if untreated. Treatment has expanded rapidly over the past decade, with more than a dozen biologics and oral medications now available that can stop joint damage and clear skin in many people.

What's actually going on in research

Trials are testing IL-23 inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, and TYK2 inhibitors that may work faster or stay effective longer than current drugs. Researchers are also studying whether early aggressive treatment can prevent joint damage before it starts, and testing oral drugs that combine convenience with strong disease control.

What to know before you search

Eligibility typically depends on number of swollen and tender joints, prior treatment history, and whether current medication has stopped working or caused side effects.

What types of trials are currently open

• Treatment trials — Testing new biologics or oral medications to see if they control joint symptoms and skin disease better than current options.
• Head-to-head trials — Comparing two active treatments directly to see which works faster, lasts longer, or has fewer side effects.
• Early intervention trials — Testing whether starting strong treatment early in disease can prevent permanent joint damage.
• Switching studies — Testing what happens when people switch from one biologic to another, and whether new drugs work in people who've stopped responding to older ones.
• Imaging studies — Using ultrasound or MRI to see if new treatments reduce inflammation inside joints that looks quiet on the outside.