Icotrokinra 200 mg daily achieves PASI 75 in 73% of patients at Week 16 versus 11% with placebo in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasisOral icotrokinra shows strong results for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis

International journal of dermatology Published June 1, 2026 Study authors: Altayf Alhasan, Lateiresh Munder, Marwan Lutfiyah, Alfeetouri Mohamed Yaseen, Zouaoui Yassine, Elhad… PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

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Key Takeaway

Consider icotrokinra as a promising oral option bridging the gap between existing oral therapies and biologics for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of icotrokinra for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The analysis included 1951 patients receiving icotrokinra 200 mg once daily compared with placebo. The primary outcome measured achievement of a ≥ 75% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index at Week 16.

At Week 4, PASI 75 response rates were 15% with icotrokinra versus 2% with placebo. The odds ratio was 6.57 with a 95% CI of 3.66-11.81 and a p-value less than 0.0001. By Week 16, response rates increased to 73% for icotrokinra versus 11% for placebo. The corresponding odds ratio was 22.03 with a 95% CI of 16.13-30.10 and a p-value less than 0.0001.

Secondary outcomes included PASI 90 and PASI 100. Icotrokinra favored higher clearance rates with an odds ratio of 28.24 for PASI 90 and an odds ratio of 45.86 for PASI 100. Safety analysis showed that adverse event incidence did not differ significantly between groups. Serious adverse event incidence also did not differ significantly between groups. Discontinuations were not reported. The authors conclude that icotrokinra is a well-tolerated option.

This meta-analysis combined data from studies involving 1,951 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The researchers compared taking icotrokinra 200 mg once daily against a placebo. They looked at how many patients achieved significant skin clearing at different time points.

Results showed that 73% of patients taking icotrokinra reached a 75% reduction in skin symptoms by Week 16, compared to 11% on placebo. Earlier results at Week 4 also favored the drug, with 15% of users reaching that milestone versus 2% on placebo. The study also tracked higher levels of clearing, finding that 54% of patients achieved a 90% reduction and 30% achieved a 100% reduction.

Safety data indicated that adverse events and serious adverse events did not differ significantly between the groups. The drug was considered well-tolerated with no reported discontinuations due to side effects. This promising oral option may help bridge the gap between existing oral therapies and biologics for this condition.

What this means for you:

Oral icotrokinra showed higher rates of skin clearing than placebo in a meta-analysis of psoriasis patients.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

Sample sizen = 1,951

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

PMID41846234

View Original Abstract ↓

Oral therapies for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis are limited by modest efficacy or safety concerns. Icotrokinra is a novel oral interleukin-23 receptor antagonist peptide that has shown promising efficacy in randomized trials. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of icotrokinra in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing icotrokinra 200 mg once daily with placebo was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The primary outcome was achievement of a ≥ 75% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) at Week 16. Random-effects models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and trial sequential analysis was performed. Five RCTs, including 1951 participants, were analyzed. Icotrokinra 200 mg once daily significantly increased PASI 75 response rates compared with placebo at Week 4 (15% vs. 2%; OR = 6.57, 95% CI 3.66-11.81; p < 0.0001) and Week 16 (73% vs. 11%; OR = 22.03, 95% CI 16.13-30.10; p < 0.0001). Higher clearance thresholds also favored icotrokinra, including PASI 90 (54% vs. 4%; OR = 28.24) and PASI 100 (30% vs. 1%; OR = 45.86). The incidence of adverse events, serious adverse events, and infections did not differ significantly between groups. Icotrokinra is an effective and well-tolerated oral treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, offering rapid and sustained clinical benefit with a safety profile comparable to placebo. It represents a promising oral option bridging the gap between existing oral therapies and biologics.

Icotrokinra 200 mg daily achieves PASI 75 in 73% of patients at Week 16 versus 11% with placebo in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasisOral icotrokinra shows strong results for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis

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Icotrokinra 200 mg daily achieves PASI 75 in 73% of patients at Week 16 versus 11% with placebo in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasisOral icotrokinra shows strong results for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis

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