JAMA Dermatol

Biologic treatment costs for plaque psoriasis soar by 122% over past decade

April 23, 2025

Study details: This cross-sectional study analyzed trends in the use and cost of first-line biologic treatments for plaque psoriasis in the U.S. from 2007 to 2021. The study utilized a national commercial claims dataset, including 76,781 biologic-naive patients who initiated treatment with TNF-α inhibitors, IL-12/23 inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, or IL-23 inhibitors.

Results: The proportion of patients initiating IL inhibitors increased significantly over the study period, with 42% starting IL-23 inhibitors and 21% starting IL-17 inhibitors in 2021. The average annual treatment cost rose from $21,236 in 2007 to $47,125 in 2021. Costs varied widely among medications, from $12,413 for infliximab to $70,043 for risankizumab. If patients had initiated the lowest-cost medication within each class, the average annual treatment cost would have been 44% lower in 2021.

Clinical impact: The findings highlight substantial cost disparities among biologic treatments for plaque psoriasis, suggesting that strategic medication choices could significantly reduce healthcare costs. Consider cost-effective options without compromising treatment efficacy to optimize patient care and resource allocation.

Source:

Rome BN, et al. (2025, April 16). JAMA Dermatol. Use and Cost of First-Line Biologic Medications to Treat Plaque Psoriasis in the US. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40238112/