265 Modulation of disease-central cytokine pathways with TAK-279, a highly selective oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, defines clinical response in patients with psoriasis

In a phase 2b study involving 252 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, TAK-279, a selective oral TYK2 inhibitor, demonstrated promising efficacy and acceptable safety. The study assessed disease biomarker changes using skin biopsies and serum samples. At Week 12, TAK-279 significantly reduced lesional skin epidermal thickness and immune cell infiltration, with notable reductions in keratinocyte proliferation and IL-17A/F expression in clinical and histologic responders. Higher doses (15/30mg) were particularly effective, with PsO biomarker expression reverting to non-lesional levels in many cases. TAK-279's modulation of psoriasis biomarkers was strongly associated with clinical and histologic responses, showing potential as a treatment for psoriasis.