What if we could do more than control psoriasis? What if we could change the course of the disease? In this special episode of the Skincredible podcast, our own Dr. Lisa Swanson sits down with dermatologist and psoriasis researcher Dr. Andy Blauvelt for a wide-ranging conversation about where psoriasis treatment is headed. Dr. Blauvelt believes we may be entering a new era of treating the disease early, aggressively, and potentially for long-term remission. Dr. Blauvelt shares his personal connection to psoriasis, beginning with his father’s severe disease and the treatments available before the biologic era, and explains how that experience ultimately helped shape his career in dermatology and psoriasis research. The conversation then turns to one of the most important developments in modern psoriasis care: understanding psoriasis as a systemic inflammatory disease, not simply a condition of the skin. In This Episode, We Discuss: The three simple questions Dr. Blauvelt recommends asking to uncover possible PsA: joint pain, morning stiffness, and heel painThe systemic consequences of psoriasis, including psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular diseaseWhy Dr. Blauvelt says clinicians should “assume psoriasis sucks” and recognize the significant quality-of-life burden it can createThe relationship between IL-23, IL-17, and resident memory T cells (TRMs) in psoriasisThe groundbreaking “Knockout” study, published in Nature, exploring whether higher-dose IL-23 inhibition can produce deeper and longer-lasting psoriasis clearanceThe remarkable clearance and long-term remission findings from the Knockout studyWhat the study revealed about resident memory T cells and their potential role in psoriasis recurrenceWhy “hit hard, hit early” could become an important concept in the future treatment of psoriasisWhat we can learn from studies of patients with shorter disease durationThe possibility that early, intensive treatment could potentially alter the long-term course of psoriasisWhat the next generation of high-dose, long-acting IL-23 inhibitors could mean for patientsWhy future psoriasis treatments might eventually involve treatment only when disease begins to return, rather than continuous therapyFor Dr. Blauvelt, the future of psoriasis treatment may not simply be about finding better ways to keep patients clear. It may be about understanding the biology of psoriasis well enough to intervene early, eliminate the cells that help drive recurrence, and potentially produce long periods of remission.As he puts it, the goal is to “hit hard, hit early.” Keywords Psoriasis, Skin condition, Dermatology, Skin health, Chronic inflammation, Autoimmune disease, Inflammatory disease, Patient education, Plaque psoriasis, Guttate psoriasis, Pediatric psoriasis, Palmoplantar psoriasis, Inverse psoriasis, Scalp psoriasis, Nail psoriasis, Eczema-psoriasis overlap, Sebopsoriasis, Red scaly plaques, Silvery scale, Well-demarcated rash, Skin rash, Elbows and knees, Scalp flakes, Dandruff, Armpit rash, Groin rash, Belly button rash, Gluteal cleft, Nail pitting, Geographic tongue, Koebner phenomenon, Skin trauma, Psoriasis vs. eczema, Strep throat, Strep carrier, Psoriasis trigger, Microbiome, Gut health, Microplastics, Climate change, Oxidative stress, Smoking, Alcohol, Stress, Psoriatic arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, Heart disease, Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Obesity, Liver disease, Anxiety, Depression, Suicidal ideation, Psoriasis treatment, Biologic medication, Systemic therapy, TNF-alpha inhibitors, Humira, Enbrel, Remicade, Stelara, Psoriasis medication, Dermatologist, Rheumatologist, Psoriasis explained, Psoriasis for beginners, Pediatric dermatology, Dermatology podcast, Skin care education, Medical podcast, Psoriasis myths, Living with psoriasis, Psoriasis awareness Links, Attachments More about Dr. Blauvelt: https://www.psoriasis.org/staff/andy-blauvelt/ More about the Knockout Study: https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/knockout-study-psoriasis/ Treatment episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skincredible/id1866567434?i=1000790922364 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareskincredible Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skincrediblepod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skincrediblepod X: https://x.com/Skincrediblepod Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/skincrediblepod/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skincrediblepod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1E9FiVQbFc/?mibextid=wwXIfr Send us Fan Mail The information shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your physician regarding your health.