A Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Deucravacitinib for Plaque Psoriasis

In this journal club session, Danielle Gatti-Palumbo, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist at Northwell Health Division of Rheumatology, explores the safety and efficacy of deucravacitinib, a first-in-class, oral selective TYK2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (Feb 2025) by Dr. Milan Shaw and colleagues, the expert consensus review highlights six key recommendations based on a comprehensive literature review and panel discussion. Danielle breaks down how deucravacitinib offers a highly targeted mechanism that avoids many of the risks seen with traditional JAK inhibitors, including no observed increase in MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events), serious infections, or lab abnormalities. With no black box warnings and minimal monitoring requirements, deucravacitinib presents a promising treatment alternative for patients with psoriasis, particularly those at risk for or intolerant of broader immunosuppressive therapies. Tune in to learn how this therapy compares to other oral agents like apremilast and how expert consensus supports its use in clinical practice. For more rheumatology-focused content, visit RhAPP.org and explore the Content Rheum section.