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What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis happens when the immune system sends faulty signals that make skin cells multiply too fast. Cells that normally renew in about a month pile up in just days and form raised, scaly plaques. You cannot catch psoriasis from another person, and it has nothing to do with hygiene. About 3 in 100 US adults have it, which is more than 7.5 million people. It can start at any age, but most often between 20 and 30 or between 50 and 60. And about 3 in 10 people with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, a related joint disease.
A couple of things are worth knowing about psoriasis research. The field is mature enough that new drugs now compete against approved ones, and in 2026 the FDA approved icotrokinra, the first once a day pill that blocks the IL-23 receptor. But one gap is well documented: people with darker skin are underrepresented in psoriasis studies, even though plaques often look violet, gray, or brown on their skin instead of red, and get missed more often.
Types of clinical trials for psoriasis
Psoriasis clinical trials test a wide range of approaches to help control flare-ups and manage symptoms long term. These trials generally fall into a few categories:
Investigating new medications
Much of today's research focuses on biologics and oral systemic drugs that target specific parts of the immune system driving psoriasis. Trials continue testing next-generation biologics, newer oral options, and treatments for people who haven't responded well to existing therapies.
Studying topical treatments and phototherapy
Some trials test new topical formulations, along with light-based treatments like phototherapy, aiming for options with fewer side effects and easier long-term use than some systemic drugs.
Evaluating lifestyle and combination approaches
Because psoriasis is linked to inflammation, weight, and stress, some trials study how diet, weight management, or combining treatments affects flare frequency and severity, either on their own or alongside medication.
Who can participate in psoriasis clinical trials?
It depends on the study. Psoriasis has no numbered stages, so trials recruit by severity instead. Doctors rate it mild, moderate, or severe using two scores: BSA, which is how much of your skin surface is affected, and PASI, which combines that area with how red, thick, and scaly the plaques are. Most drug studies on this page want adults rated moderate to severe with plaque psoriasis, and a few also take adolescents.
Studies often ask you to pause certain psoriasis medicines before you start, which is called a washout, so what you take now can matter. Other studies here are not drug studies at all: some enroll people who have psoriasis plus obesity, some look at anxiety, and one follows people to see whether early treatment prevents joint disease. Researchers also want more people with skin of color, who have long been missed in this research. Eligibility always varies by study.
What is the difference between psoriasis and eczema?
They get confused often, and misdiagnosis is common. Psoriasis makes well-defined, thick, scaly patches, most often on the elbows and knees, and also on the face, scalp, and buttocks. Eczema tends to show up in the crooks of the knees and elbows. The itch differs too: with psoriasis it tends to be mild, while eczema can itch intensely. Only a clinician can tell them apart properly, and a skin biopsy is sometimes needed.
What are the types of psoriasis?
Plaque psoriasis is by far the most common, making up 80-90% of cases. Guttate psoriasis (about 8%) shows up as small, drop-like spots, often after strep throat, and can clear up on its own. Inverse psoriasis (21-30%) sits in skin folds and looks smooth and shiny rather than scaly. Pustular psoriasis (about 3%) forms painful, pus-filled bumps. Erythrodermic psoriasis is rare (about 2%) but dangerous, a flare needs medical care right away.
Psoriasis also moves around the body more than people expect: about half have nail changes at any given time (up to 9 in 10 at some point), at least half get a scalp flare at some point, up to two-thirds get genital psoriasis at some point, and 12-16% get it on the palms or soles. Most drug studies on this page recruit plaque psoriasis specifically.
Do psoriasis trial participants get paid?
Some studies offer compensation for time and travel, and study related care is typically provided at no cost to participants. Compensation varies by trial and is always described during the informed consent process before you agree to anything.
Curious whether clinical trials pay participants? Here's how compensation actually works.