title: Improvement in psoriasis after treatment with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide.
abstract: A 59-year old man with moderate and stable psoriasis through 15 years was admitted to our Department with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes. Treatment was initiated with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist liraglutide. The patient experienced marked improvement in his psoriasis immediately after the start of liraglutide treatment. Itching stopped within days, scaling was reduced and spots of normal skin emerged. After 3 months, psoriasis was still improving. Excellent glycaemic control and a weight loss of approximately 8 kg over 3 months were moreover obtained. The patient had previously been well controlled in his diabetes without improvement in psoriasis, and the effect of liraglutide on psoriasis started before weight loss occurred. We discuss the possibility of a direct anti-inflammatory effect of liraglutide in psoriasis as well as indirect effects through improvement in comorbidities such as overweight. Randomized clinical trials are needed to reveal whether GLP-1R agonists represent a new therapeutic option for psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine F, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Niels Andersens Vej 65, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark, afau16@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faurschou
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Knop
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thyssen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zachariae
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Skov
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vilsbøll
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; D006801:Humans; D000069450:Liraglutide; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon / Q000819:agonists; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C000593833:GLP1R protein, human; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon; D000069450:Liraglutide; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1