Review: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists May Benefit Both Psoriasis and Metabolic Disease

Key Takeaways

• A National Psoriasis Foundation primer highlights emerging evidence supporting GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) as potential adjunctive therapies in psoriasis, particularly among patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
• Small studies have reported Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) improvements ranging from approximately 40% to 80%, alongside reductions in inflammatory markers and visceral adiposity.
• The authors emphasized larger randomized clinical trials are needed before definitive conclusions can be made regarding GLP-1–based therapies as psoriasis treatments.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) may offer additional benefits for patients with psoriasis, according to a new review and primer from the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board.

The authors noted GLP-1 RAs have been associated with reductions in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, particularly in patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes. Relative PASI improvements ranged from 40% to 80% with concurrent improvements in quality-of-life measures. The investigators noted that the studies tended to include small sample sizes (7 to 48 participants), short follow-up periods of 6 months or less, and lacked control groups.

Emerging Evidence in GLP-1 Therapies and Psoriasis

Semaglutide and liraglutide have also been linked to reductions in C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 levels, visceral adiposity, and lipid abnormalities, according to the authors. Further evidence from translational studies further suggest clinical improvements may correlate with reductions in superficial adiposity and dermal γδ T-cell density, supporting a potential immunomodulatory mechanism beyond weight loss alone.

The analysis also said GLP-1 RAs appear to be safe when combined with established psoriasis therapies such as methotrexate, cyclosporine, and biologics. Reported adverse events included transient gastrointestinal symptoms. Pancreatitis and gallbladder-related complications were uncommon.

“Current evidence supports consideration of adjunctive use in selected patients with metabolic comorbidities,” the authors wrote. "However, they emphasized that larger randomized clinical trials are needed to determine whether GLP-1–based therapies can play a definitive role in psoriasis treatment.

Source

Sheth S, Merola JF, Weber BN, et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2026. Doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2026.0859