Plaque psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder characterized by cytokine dysregulation, aberrant keratinocyte function, and pruritus in most cases, affecting 2–3% of the global population 1. This review provides a comprehensive overview of both traditional and emerging therapeutic strategies for managing psoriasis. It summarizes the clinical features, risk factors, and pathophysiology of the disease, with a focus on the immune mechanisms that drive chronic inflammation and epidermal hyperproliferation. The pharmacologic landscape is examined in detail, including topical agents, biologics targeting the IL-17/IL-23 axis, and systemic non-biologics, alongside their mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety profiles. Additionally, the review examines novel interventions, including cryotherapy, microneedles, and electrotherapy, assessing their physiological rationale and preliminary evidence of efficacy, as well as potential negative implications. Although these novel interventions demonstrate potential therapeutic benefits, they are yet to be fully developed and require extensive additional research before they can be considered for widespread clinical implementation. This review highlights the evolution of psoriasis treatment paradigms, emphasizing the growing role of targeted and non-invasive innovations that offer potential advantages in efficacy, safety, improved quality of life, and treatment adherence.
Muehlstedt et al. (Tue,) studied this question.