The Expanding Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Dual GIP/GLP-1 Agonists in Dermatology: From Immunometabolism to Clinical Practice
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists) have rapidly changed the management of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Beyond their effects on weight reduction and glycemic control, these agents exert pleiotropic effects on inflammation, adipose tissue biology, endothelial function and tissue repair, properties of growing relevance to dermatology, where several chronic inflammatory diseases are closely linked to obesity, insulin resistance and systemic low-grade inflammation. Current evidence suggests potential clinical benefit in psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa, encouraging signals regarding wound healing and a generally favorable cutaneous safety profile, although cutaneous adverse events, including injection site reactions, hypersensitivity, alopecia and rare autoimmune eruptions, have been increasingly reported. This review summarizes the immunometabolic rationale, current clinical evidence, the dermatologic safety profile and future perspectives of GLP-1RAs and dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists in dermatology. Although available data remain heterogeneous and largely observational outside psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa, these therapies may represent a new class of systemic immunometabolic modulators with practical implications for inflammatory, surgical and aesthetic dermatology.
Authors
- Mariateresa Rossi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5101-159X)
- Benedetta Gallì (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9587-9571)
- Cesare Tomasi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3699-8744)
- Gaetano Licata (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0834-1331)
- Sara Mezzana (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0419-6193)
- Mariachiara Arisi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6307-6174)
- Carola Romanò
- Laura Grigolato
- Maria M. NICOLETTI
- Caterina M. Giorgio
- Marina Venturini
Institutions
- Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia (IT)
- University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (IT)
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone" di Palermo (IT)
- University of Brescia (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Dermatology and Therapy
- Published
- 2026-09-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-026-01916-6
- Primary Topic
- Diabetes Treatment and Management
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00