Psoriasis in Difficult-to-Treat Areas: A Multicentre, Real-World Retrospective Study Analyzing the Impact of Non-Invasive Imaging Techniques (Dermoscopy, Reflectance Confocal Microscopy and Optical Coherence Tomography) to Monitor the Effectiveness of Risankizumab in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis of the Legs
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of non-invasive imaging techniques such as dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to monitor the efficacy of risankizumab on plaque psoriasis of the legs by analyzing morpho-histological changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicentre, real-world retrospective study involving 37 adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Assessments performed during routine visits at baseline, Week 4 and Week 12 included clinical response, dermoscopy, RCM and OCT. RESULTS: ). Dermoscopy showed progressive vascular normalization: at Week 12, 94.29% of lesions had minimal or no vascular pattern. White and yellow scales decreased significantly. On RCM, dilated vessels, inflammatory infiltrate, and papillomatosis progressively normalized. OCT showed reduction in epidermal and stratum corneum thickness and a decline in vascular intensity at multiple depths. Baseline haemorrhagic dots predicted early complete response: 44.8% of lesions with dots achieved complete clearance at Week 4 versus 0% without. CONCLUSIONS: Risankizumab induced rapid, significant regression of psoriatic changes, normalizing vascular patterns and skin architecture and reducing epidermal thickness. Findings support its efficacy and rapid onset of action in difficult-to-treat areas and highlight the value of non-invasive imaging for monitoring.
Source: Clinics and Practice
Authors: Annunziata Dattola, Raimondo Rossi, Giuseppe Rizzuto, Giacomo Caldarola, Eleonora De Luca, Viviana Lora, Domenico Giordano, Severino Persechino, Claudio Bonifati, Diego Orsini, Dario Graceffa, Arianna Zangrilli, Gianluca Pagnanelli, Paola Tribuzi, Annamaria Mazzotta, Gaia Moretta, Adriana Micheli, Alessia Provini, Salvatore Zanframundo, Vincenzo Panasiti, Giovanni Pellacani, Concetta Potenza, Antonio Giovanni Richetta, Nicoletta Bernardini
Institutions: Sapienza University of Rome, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, San Gallicano Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Andrea, Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Viterbo, Ospedale di Belcolle, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo-Forlanini, ASL Roma, Università Campus Bio-Medico
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,930
OpenAlex ID: W7131365451