Semaglutide Pilot Trial Initiated to Assess Efficacy in Obese Psoriasis Patients

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease often comorbid with obesity, leading to more severe disease, higher risk of psoriatic arthritis, and poorer response to biologics. Weight loss can significantly reduce psoriasis severity. Older GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1 RA) have shown efficacy in improving psoriatic disease activity, and newer GLP1 RA like semaglutide achieve effective weight loss and reduce cardiovascular outcomes. This trial addresses the gap in understanding semaglutide's direct effect on psoriasis activity beyond weight reduction, leveraging its potential anti-inflammatory properties.

This is an open-label, single-armed, prospective pilot trial designed to recruit 14 obese patients with psoriasis. Participants will continue their standard psoriasis care. The intervention arm will receive add-on treatment with semaglutide at doses up to 2.0mg per week, alongside lifestyle interventions. The study duration for each subject is approximately 36 weeks, comprising a 4-week screening, a 24-week treatment period, and a 12-week safety follow-up. Previous systemic immunosuppressant use is permitted.

This abstract describes a clinical trial protocol; therefore, no findings or results are available from the study at this stage. The trial is currently in the design and recruitment phase, aiming to investigate the effects of semaglutide on psoriasis severity in obese patients.