Nanotechnology in Psoriasis Management: A New Frontier in Drug Delivery

Introduction: Plaque psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease affecting 2-3% of the global population. Its clinical burden extends beyond visible lesions, contributing to significant comorbidities including psoriatic arthritis, depression, and cardiometabolic disorders. Safety concerns and variable efficacy often limit the use of traditional therapies, topical agents, phototherapy, and systemic drugs. Recent advances, including TYK2 inhibitors, PDE4 inhibitors, and AhR modulators, offer improved safety profiles. Emerging nanotechnology- based delivery systems are increasingly being explored to enhance drug penetration, stability, and targeted action in psoriatic skin. Methods: This review was conducted through a structured search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering literature published between 2010 and 2025. Search terms included “psoriasis,” “nanoparticles,” “biologics,” “topical delivery,” and specific nanocarrier types (e.g., liposomes, SLNs, dendrimers). Studies were included if they reported original preclinical or clinical data on therapeutic efficacy, drug delivery characteristics, or biocompatibility of psoriasis treatments, with a particular focus on applications involving nanotechnology. Results: Several nanocarriers, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, dendrimers, and polymeric nanoparticles, have demonstrated enhanced drug loading, deeper skin penetration, sustained release, and reduced systemic toxicity in preclinical models. Additionally, new systemic agents such as deucravacitinib, apremilast, and tapinarof are increasingly recommended as first-line therapies due to their favorable safety and efficacy profiles. Discussion: Nanotechnology provides distinct advantages over conventional formulations, particularly in overcoming the stratum corneum barrier and targeting psoriatic lesions. Such systems can improve drug retention, minimize systemic exposure, and enable the delivery of fragile or poorly soluble compounds. Ongoing innovations in biocompatible and biodegradable materials, as well as cell-targeting strategies, will be critical for successful clinical translation. Conclusion: Nanotechnology is transforming psoriasis treatment by enabling targeted, safer, and more effective drug delivery. The integration of advanced nanocarriers with emerging pharmacological agents offers the potential for long-term disease control, reduced morbidity, and improved quality of life for patients with plaque psoriasis.