- Bryan Guevara, MD, FPDS, FDSP, 2024 IPC Fellow
- Congress Reports, Comorbidities, Disease Severity, Genetics, Pathophysiology, & Epidemiology, Treatment, Types of Psoriasis
The 2024 IPC Think Tank Meeting was held in London on Wednesday, December 4. This annual meeting brought together over 100 participants, including IPC Board Members, Councilors, Fellows, Corporate Members, and Partner Organization participants, to discuss emerging trends and insights in psoriasis research and treatment. This year’s meeting was particularly significant as IPC celebrated its 20th anniversary. The symposium, Psoriasis: The Multiple Facets of a Global Disease, included nine lectures covering epidemiology, clinical features, genetics of psoriasis and related diseases, mechanistic scenarios, and treatment advances. This Congress Report summarizes the key discussions and presentations from the meeting. Download the full 2024 IPC Think Tank Congress Report or continue reading for key highlights.
EPIDEMIOLOGY
Epidemiology and Comorbidities of Psoriasis Across the Ages
Luigi Naldi, MD, IPC Councilor
Psoriasis affects 2–3% of the global population, with higher prevalence in Western countries and bimodal peaks in incidence at ages 35–44 and 65–74. Early-onset psoriasis (Type 1) is linked to HLA-C*06:02, while late-onset psoriasis involves other factors. Environmental influences like air pollution and nutrition may also impact disease risk. Comorbidities such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are prevalent, including children, emphasizing the need for holistic management.
CLINICAL FEATURES
Pigmentation Abnormalities in Patients with Psoriasis
Mauro Picardo, MD, PhD
Pigmentary disorders in psoriasis arise from disruptions in melanocyte and keratinocyte interactions due to inflammation. TNF-alpha and IL-17 suppress melanogenesis, leading to hypopigmentation during active disease and hyperpigmentation during healing. Therapies targeting these cytokines may help prevent pigmentary abnormalities, and further research is needed to predict outcomes and refine treatments.
GENETICS OF PSORIASIS AND RELATED DISEASES
Deciphering of CARD14-related Disease(s): 15 Years On
Anne Bowcock, PhD, IPC Councilor
Mutations in CARD14, a gene linked to psoriasis and related diseases, drive inflammatory responses via NF-κB and MAPK signaling. Novel therapies, including PROTAC technology, offer potential to degrade CARD14 and manage diseases like familial pityriasis rubra pilaris and generalized pustular psoriasis. Small molecules targeting the CARD14-BCL10-MALT1 complex may provide a controlled treatment approach.
Genetics of Pustular Psoriasis: Where Are We Now?
Francesca Capon, PhD, IPC Councilor
Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) involves IL-36RN mutations in 25% of cases, while palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) shows stronger links to Th2 inflammatory pathway. Smoking primarily exacerbates PPP severity, and emerging therapies like dupilumab and JAK inhibitors show promise for treatment. The genetic and clinical differences between these subtypes highlight the need for tailored approaches.
MECHANISTIC SCENARIOS IN PSORIASIS
Lessons from Transcriptomic, Single-cell, and Spatial Analyses in Psoriasis
Johann Gudjonsson, MD, PhD, IPC Board Member
Advanced transcriptomics and single-cell analyses reveal cellular interactions and immune responses in psoriatic lesions. Integrating multi-omics technologies helps identify genetic susceptibilities and molecular targets for precision therapies. These methods are transforming research on psoriasis immunopathogenesis but remain limited by high costs and infrastructure needs.
Trained Immunity in Psoriasis: Where Does it Lie?
Curdin Conrad, MD, IPC Councilor
Trained immunity, the long-term reprogramming of innate immune cells, contributes to psoriasis’ chronic nature. Environmental and inflammatory triggers create epigenetic scars, driving disease persistence. Early interventions to reverse trained immunity may modify or prevent disease progression, offering new therapeutic opportunities.
Metabolomics and Psoriasis Inflammation: What is the Connection?
Nicole Ward, PhD, IPC Councilor
Metabolomics reveals connections between diet, inflammation, and psoriasis, highlighting pathways like glucose transport and polyunsaturated fatty acids metabolism as potential therapeutic targets. IL-17 treatments has shown to improve lipid metabolism, reducing cardiovascular risk. Combining metabolomics with other omics technologies offers deeper insights into disease mechanisms and treatment outcomes.
TREATMENT
What’s New in the Definition and Treatment of Pustular Psoriasis and Related Diseases?
Siew Eng Choon, MBBS, FRCP, IPC Board Member
The IPC defined generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) as a systemic disease with sterile pustules, distinct from plaque psoriasis. IL-36 inhibitors like spesolimab are effective for GPP, while Th2-targeted therapies like dupilumab show promise for palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). These advances provide clarity in diagnosis and innovative options for treatment.
Stratified Approaches in Psoriasis: Why Search for Biomarkers?
Hervé Bachelez, MD, PhD, IPC President
Biomarkers offer potential for better stratification, diagnosis, and personalized treatment in psoriasis. Transcriptomic studies highlight differences between psoriasis subtypes and provide insights into immune pathways like IL-1 and IL-36. These findings pave the way for precision medicine and targeted interventions.
We encourage you to download the full 2024 IPC Think Tank Congress Report for a comprehensive review of the sessions and findings.
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