Super responders to biologic therapy in psoriasis: definitions, predictors, and implications for precision medicine
Biologic therapies have revolutionized psoriasis management, yet treatment responses remain highly heterogeneous. A distinct subgroup of patients, termed super responders (SRs), achieves exceptionally rapid, complete, and sustained responses to biologic therapies. Understanding this phenotype is critical for advancing precision medicine in psoriasis. This review summarizes the latest advances in SRs, focusing on definitions, predictors, and therapeutic implications. Definitions of SRs vary widely across studies, differing in both temporal criteria and efficacy endpoints. Meanwhile, emerging evidence suggests a convergent trend toward multidimensional definitions that combine rapid and complete skin clearance (typically PASI 100 within 3–6 months) and sustained low disease activity during long-term follow-up (often ≥1 year). Convergent predictors of SRs include a lower body mass index (BMI), a favorable metabolic profile, biologic-naïve status and emerging genetic and immunological markers. As a potentially biologically distinct subgroup, SRs present a unique opportunity for treatment optimization, including dosing-interval extension and treatment-free remission in selected patients, offering the potential to sustain efficacy while reducing drug exposure, cost, and patient burden. Key research priorities include establishing consensus definitions, developing validated predictive models, and generating long-term safety data to guide treatment optimization. Integrating the SRs concept into practice may transform psoriasis care from fixed, lifelong regimens to adaptive, evidence-based management grounded in precision medicine.
Authors
- Xiya Peng
- Kun Han
- Zhenhua Wang
Institutions
- Sichuan University (CN)
- West China Hospital of Sichuan University (CN)
- Weifang People's Hospital (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Immunology
- Published
- 2026-03-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1744951
- Primary Topic
- Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00