A new clinical trial has shown that combining ixekizumab (Taltz) with tirzepatide (Zepbound) brings significant benefits to adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who also struggle with obesity or overweight. The Phase 3b TOGETHER-PsO study enrolled 274 adults with high disease burden. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either Taltz alone or together with Zepbound. All received counseling about healthy eating and increased physical activity.
After 36 weeks of treatment, 27.1% of patients who received both drugs achieved complete skin clearance, measured by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI 100), and lost at least 10% of their body weight. This result was much better than the 5.8% seen in patients who received Taltz alone. The combination also led to a 40% increase in the number of patients achieving full skin clearance compared to Taltz by itself.
The trial included patients whose psoriasis affected about 25% of their body surface area, with nearly all having the disease in hard-to-treat locations like the scalp, face, or genitals. Patients had a mean body mass index (BMI) over 39 kg/m², much higher than participants in previous trials. Experts explained that high BMI makes it more difficult for people to achieve optimal skin clearance with biologic treatments. Managing both psoriasis and obesity at the same time appears to be much more effective than treating only psoriasis.
Ixekizumab works by targeting a key protein in the inflammatory processes involved in psoriasis. Tirzepatide is approved for weight management and acts on metabolic hormones to help reduce weight and improve overall health. The combination therapy addresses both skin inflammation and excess body fat, highlighting the link between these chronic conditions.
Side effects in the combination group were generally mild or moderate and were similar to the known safety profiles of each medicine. The most common issues were nausea, diarrhea, constipation, injection site reactions, vomiting, and dizziness. Detailed results from the trial are expected to be published in peer-reviewed journals. Experts believe this approach could change how both psoriasis and weight-related health issues are treated for patients with significant disease burdens.
