Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases

Envudeucitinib (ESK-001) represents a promising advance in psoriasis treatment, offering the prospect of a novel oral therapy with high levels of efficacy in a convenient form. This next-generation, highly selective oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor was evaluated in the phase 3 ONWARD clinical programme — ONWARD1 (NCT06586112) and ONWARD2 (NCT06588738) — in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. To learn more about what sets this therapy apart from existing options, the findings from these studies, and what they could mean for the future of psoriasis management, we spoke with Dr Andrew Blauvelt (Blauvelt Consulting, LLC., Annapolis, MD, USA), who presented the ONWARD findings in a late-breaking session at the 2026 AAD Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, USA.

Adolescents living with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa may soon have access to a new targeted treatment option. The FDA has approved secukinumab for patients aged 12 years and older, making it the only interleukin-17A inhibitor available for this population. The approval includes weight-based dosing for patients weighing at least 30 kg and was supported by data from the phase 3 SUNSHINE and SUNRISE trials, which demonstrated significantly higher hidradenitis suppurativa clinical response rates compared with placebo, with sustained efficacy through 52 weeks.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved deucravacitinib as the first tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor for adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), marking a new targeted treatment option for this chronic inflammatory disease. In the phase 3 POETYK PsA-1 and PsA-2 trials, the once-daily oral therapy significantly improved disease activity compared with placebo, with over half of treated patients achieving an ACR20 response at Week 16. By selectively inhibiting TYK2 signalling pathways involved in psoriatic disease, deucravacitinib offers a novel mechanism distinct from traditional JAK inhibitors, expanding its role beyond plaque psoriasis and introducing a new oral option for patients with PsA.

Dr Melinda Gooderham discusses the phase 3 LATITUDE trial results for zasocitinib, exploring the depth and speed of clinical responses observed and what these findings could mean for the future management of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Three-year data from the BE HEARD extension show that bimekizumab delivers durable disease control in hidradenitis suppurativa, with 40% of patients achieving complete inflammatory lesion resolution. Sustained improvements in disease severity and draining tunnels highlight the long-term potential of dual IL-17A/IL-17F inhibition in HS.

As the field of dermatology continues to evolve at pace, the questions shaping its future are no longer confined to new drugs or devices. Looking ahead, we asked our Future Leaders of 2025 a question: which emerging trend or topic deserves greater attention in 2026? Their responses collectively offer a snapshot of the conversations poised to shape the specialty in the year ahead, highlighting challenges that extend beyond scientific innovation alone.

As 2025 draws to a close, it is clear that the past year has brought notable shifts across dermatology. To reflect on the developments that stood out most, members of our editorial board and recipients of our 2025 Future Leaders in Dermatology award share their perspectives, drawing on experience across subspecialties, regions and stages of career.

Early phase pooled results from 32 patients indicate that lonvoguran ziclumeran, a CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy, achieved durable, one-time disease control in hereditary angioedema (HAE). The phase 1/2 data demonstrated deep and sustained reductions in plasma kallikrein levels, with most patients remaining attack-free and prophylaxis-free for up to three years and a safety profile consistent with earlier findings.

The 2025 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress brought over 20,000 delegates to Paris this September, showcasing the latest advances in the field. With more than 180 sessions and 600 expert speakers, the meeting highlighted innovations ranging from new biologics and novel agents to real-world evidence and patient-centred care. In this article, we share key highlights from the congress, spotlighting the breakthroughs and clinical insights set to shape the future of dermatology practice.