Medical Information

Deucravatinib is a novel oral TYK2 inhibitor that exerts immunomodulatory effects by selectively inhibiting the TYK2-JAK signaling pathway. It is mainly used to treat autoimmune diseases such as moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and clinical data shows significant efficacy and good safety.

1. Basic information of drugs

(1) Mechanism of action: As the first selective TYK2 allosteric inhibitor, it precisely blocks the IL-23/IL-12/IFN signaling pathway by targeting the regulatory domain of TYK2 rather than the catalytic domain, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

(2) Research and Development Background:  it was approved by the FDA in September 2022 and became the first TYK2 inhibitor drug in the field of psoriasis treatment.

2. Scope of indications

(1) Core indications: Suitable for adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who have insufficient response to other systemic treatments or phototherapy.

(2) Extended research: Phase III clinical trials are currently underway for autoimmune diseases such as psoriatic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

3. Clinical efficacy data

(1) Psoriasis treatment: Key Phase III trials have shown that the PASI75 response rate reached 58-69% at 16 weeks of treatment, significantly better than the placebo group, and the skin clearing effect can be sustained until 52 weeks.

(2) Safety advantages: Compared with traditional JAK inhibitors, selective TYK2 inhibition significantly reduces the risk of infection, and common adverse reactions are mostly mild to moderate (such as nasopharyngitis and headache).

4. Comparison of treatment characteristics

(1) Convenience of administration: Oral administration once a day is more convenient than injection of biologics.

(2) Targeted specificity: Compared to pan JAK inhibitors, it has minimal impact on JAK1/2/3 and reduces the risk of side effects such as decreased blood cells.

(3) Long term efficacy: Open label extended studies have shown that continuous use of medication for 3 years can still maintain efficacy without any new safety signals.