The Therapeutic Potential of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Psoriasis and Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, have demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that may be beneficial in chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). A systematic review of the literature was conducted, focusing on prospective studies, case reports, and systematic reviews that evaluated the impact of GLP-1 RAs on these diseases. In psoriasis, GLP-1 RAs, particularly liraglutide, have been associated with improvements in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), especially among patients with T2D. Reported benefits include enhanced glycemic control, weight reduction, and decreased levels of inflammatory markers, suggesting that GLP-1 RAs may modulate immune pathways and proinflammatory cytokine activity involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Similarly, in HS, GLP-1 RAs such as liraglutide and semaglutide have shown promising results, including decreased lesion severity, improved quality of life, and reduced systemic inflammation. Weight loss induced by these agents may also contribute to symptom improvement by reducing mechanical stress in intertriginous areas and mitigating inflammatory responses associated with HS. Although preliminary evidence suggests that GLP-1 RAs may play a role in managing psoriasis and HS through both metabolic and immunologic mechanisms, current data are limited to early-phase studies and case reports. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials, some of which are ongoing, with diverse study populations are necessary to better understand their efficacy, safety, and long-term impact in the treatment of these chronic inflammatory skin conditions.