New topical therapies for psoriasis

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPsoriasis is a debilitating autoimmune condition that causes red scaly plaques of the skin with potential to produce systemic inflammation affecting multiple organ systems. While the majority of patients can be managed with topical therapy, no one topical medication is right for everyone, and the therapeutic armamentarium continues to expand with improved delivery vehicles and new active ingredients. This review will discuss recently approved and upcoming topical medications for psoriasis.Recent advancesThe past several years have seen the advent of novel lotion and cream vehicles as well as new options for spray or foam application, fixed‐dose combined medications, and nonsteroidal options. New corticosteroid topical monotherapies in improved vehicles include halobetasol propionate (HP) 0.05% foam, HP 0.01% lotion, clobetasol propionate 0.025% cream, and betamethasone dipropionate (BD) 0.05% spray. Fixed‐dose combination topical therapies include calcipotriene 0.005% plus BD 0.064% (Cal‐BD) foam, Cal‐BD cream, and HP 0.01% plus tazarotene 0.045% lotion. Numerous nonsteroidal offerings are poised to enter the market, most notably tapinarof 1% cream, roflumilast 0.3% cream, and roflumilast 0.3% foam.SummaryRecent advancements in both delivery vehicles and medications available for topical treatment of psoriasis have the potential to allow better control of disease and increase treatment satisfaction among patients.