Clinical Trials for Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis, causing raised, scaly patches of skin that can be itchy, painful, and emotionally difficult to live with. For moderate to severe cases, treatment often requires specialty biologics -- medications that are effective but expensive and frequently subject to insurance prior authorization denials.
Clinical trials for plaque psoriasis are among the most active in dermatology, studying increasingly selective and effective treatments. Whether your current therapy is not working or your coverage was denied, trials may offer another option.
The National Psoriasis Foundation estimates that psoriasis affects approximately 7.5 million Americans.
What Types of Trials Are Available?
IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitor trials represent the cutting edge of psoriasis treatment. Agents in these classes -- including secukinumab (Cosentyx), risankizumab (Skyrizi), and guselkumab (Tremfya) -- have shown high rates of skin clearance in trials, and newer, more selective agents are in development. IL-4/IL-13 inhibitor trials build on the mechanism behind dupilumab (Dupixent), which was recently approved for plaque psoriasis. Trials are studying newer agents in this pathway and optimizing which patients benefit most. Oral small molecule trials are studying options for people who prefer oral treatment over injectable biologics, including TYK2 inhibitors like deucravacitinib (Sotyktu) and next-generation agents. Phototherapy and combination studies are investigating whether combining newer biologics with existing treatments improves outcomes.Search ClinicalTrials.gov for currently recruiting trials.
Am I Eligible?
Common eligibility factors for plaque psoriasis trials include:
- Confirmed plaque psoriasis diagnosis
- Minimum percentage of body surface area affected, or a minimum PASI score (a standardized measure of severity)
- Prior treatment history with topicals, phototherapy, or systemic therapy
- No current serious infections, certain other dermatologic conditions, or active malignancy
Some trials enroll people who have never tried a biologic (biologic-naive). Others specifically seek participants who have not responded to one or more prior biologics.
Your dermatologist is the right partner for assessing your eligibility. Talk to your doctor before making any decisions about your treatment.
What If My Insurance Denied My Medication?
Biologics for plaque psoriasis -- including adalimumab (Humira), dupilumab (Dupixent), secukinumab (Cosentyx), and others -- are routinely subject to prior authorization, step therapy, and appeals. If your dermatologist has recommended a biologic and your insurer has denied it, that decision can be challenged.
While your appeal is in progress, clinical trials studying similar or newer mechanisms may offer another path to treatment. A trial studying an IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitor, for example, may provide access to a more advanced therapy than what your insurer would otherwise approve.
Read more: Denied Dupixent -- clinical trial options | Denied Humira -- clinical trial options
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are clinical trials for plaque psoriasis free?
In most cases, yes. Trial sponsors (pharmaceutical companies, universities, or the NIH) cover the cost of the experimental treatment. You may still have costs for routine care — like doctor visits or standard tests — depending on your insurance. Always ask the trial coordinator what costs you might be responsible for before enrolling.
How do I find plaque psoriasis trials near me?
The best place to start is ClinicalTrials.gov, the official registry of all trials in the US. Search by condition name and filter by your location. Your specialist can also help identify trials at academic medical centers in your region.
Can I join a trial after being denied Skyrizi or Dupixent?
Yes, and in many cases a denial can actually make you a stronger candidate — trials often enroll patients who have not responded to or cannot access standard treatments. Talk to your doctor about whether your denial history makes you eligible for open trials studying Skyrizi or Dupixent or similar medications.