Effectiveness and Safety of Deucravacitinib in Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis: an Italian Multicenter Real-Life Study in the Lazio Region

Annunziata Dattola; Francesca Paola Sasso; Giorgio Marotta; Giuseppe Rizzuto; Nicoletta Bernardini; Severino Persechino; Domenico Giordano; Diego Orsini; Viviana Lora; Anna Maria Mazzotta; Gianluca Pagnanelli; Gaia Moretta; Vincenzo Roberti; Alessandro Giunta; Chiara Cattani; Alessandra D'Amore; Clara De Simone; Antonio Giovanni Richetta; Elena Campione; Giacomo Caldarola

doi:10.5826/dpc.1601a7116

Effectiveness and Safety of Deucravacitinib in Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis: an Italian Multicenter Real-Life Study in the Lazio Region

Authors

Annunziata Dattola Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical and Cardiovascular Sciences, University of “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy.
Francesca Paola Sasso Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical and Cardiovascular Sciences, University of “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy.
Giorgio Marotta Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical and Cardiovascular Sciences, University of “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy.
Giuseppe Rizzuto Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical and Cardiovascular Sciences, University of “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy.
Nicoletta Bernardini Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Dermatology Unit “Daniele Innocenzi”, La Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy.
Severino Persechino Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Roma, Rome, Italy.
Domenico Giordano Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Roma, Rome, Italy.
Diego Orsini Departmental Faculty of Medicine, UniCamillus - “Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences”, Rome
Viviana Lora Clinical Dermatology Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute (IRCCS), Rome - Italy
Anna Maria Mazzotta Dermatology Unit, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Gianluca Pagnanelli Department of Dermatology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata IRCCS Roma, 00167 Rome, Italy.
Gaia Moretta Department of Dermatology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata IRCCS Roma, 00167 Rome, Italy.
Vincenzo Roberti Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Roma, Italy; Operative Research Unit of Dermatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Roma, Italy.
Alessandro Giunta Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
Chiara Cattani Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
Alessandra D'Amore UOC di Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - IRCCS, Rome, Italy, Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Clara De Simone UOC di Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - IRCCS, Rome, Italy, Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Antonio Giovanni Richetta Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical and Cardiovascular Sciences, University of “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy.
Elena Campione Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
Giacomo Caldarola UOC di Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - IRCCS, Rome, Italy, Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy

Keywords:

Psoriasis, Deucravacitinib, Tyrosine Kinase 2 Inhibitors, Treatment Outcome, Real-World Evidence

Abstract

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. Deucravacitinib, an oral selective TYK2 inhibitor, has shown promising efficacy and safety in phase 3 trials, but real-world evidence remains limited.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of deucravacitinib in moderate-to-severe psoriasis in an Italian real-life multicenter cohort.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted across nine dermatology units in the Lazio region, including 49 adult patients treated with deucravacitinib. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI), Disease Activity index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) at baseline, week 8, and week 16.

Results: Mean PASI scores significantly improved, from 11.4 at baseline to 4 at week 8 and to 1.7 at week 16. PASI 75 and PASI 90 responses were achieved by 31 and 13 patients, respectively. DLQI improved from 12 to 1 at week 16, indicating substantial quality-of-life gains. Clinical improvement was consistent in difficult-to-treat areas (scalp, nails, palmoplantar regions) and among patients with psoriatic arthritis. No significant difference emerged between biologic-naïve and biologic-experienced groups. Treatment was well tolerated, with only mild adverse events reported.

Conclusion: This real-world study confirms deucravacitinib as an effective and safe oral treatment for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, providing rapid and sustained clinical improvement and enhanced patient quality of life.

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