RECENT ADVANCES IN IMMUNOGENETICS AND SKIN BARRIER MECHANISMS IN PSORIASIS: AN INTEGRATED REVIEW OF TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by an immune system response, manifesting in various forms including plaques, flexural lesions, wounds, pustules, and erythroderma. This condition affects individuals of all genders and impacts approximately 60 million people worldwide. The pathophysiology of psoriasis involves complex interactions between keratinocytes, dendritic cells, and T cells, with the IL-23/Th17 axis playing a crucial role in keratinocyte proliferation, chronic inflammation, and immune activation. Despite the widespread use of treatments, none have proven to be completely effective and safe for patients. Current drug treatments primarily provide symptomatic relief rather than a cure, and existing medications often have limited skin penetration and efficacy. Consequently, there is a growing need to explore new drug delivery systems or molecular approaches that are both safe and effective, aiming to improve patient compliance with psoriasis treatment. Nanocarrier-based formulations may represent a promising solution due to their high skin penetration, low dosing frequency, reduced side effects, and lower dosage requirements. This review aims to explore recent advances in the immunogenetics and skin barrier mechanisms underlying psoriasis, investigate the interplay between immune cells and cytokines involved in its pathophysiology, evaluate current treatment options, and identify future psoriasis treatments. Additionally, it will assess the potential of transdermal drug delivery systems utilizing nanocarriers for future developments in anti-psoriatic therapies.