Psoriasis–AD Switching May Mimic Treatment Failure
Recognizing sustained switches between the two diseases can prevent premature discontinuation of effective biologics and point toward Janus kinase inhibitors, a 148-patient cohort suggests.
By
Andrea Surnit
June 15, 2026
Objective: To describe persistent, treatment-associated phenotype switching between psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Approach: Key Findings: 101 patients developed eczematous features while receiving treatment for psoriasis. 47 patients developed psoriasiform disease while receiving treatment for atopic dermatitis. Psoriasis-to-eczematous switching was most often documented during treatment with interleukin-17 inhibitors (58% of cases). Atopic dermatitis-to-psoriasiform switching occurred primarily during treatment with dupilumab (91.5% of cases). Clinical severity scores improved following therapeutic adjustment in both groups. Interpretation:
Limitations: Retrospective observational design. Lack of a comparator population. Potential selection bias and incomplete data capture. Absence of systematic histopathologic or molecular confirmation. Predominantly Caucasian cohort may limit generalizability. Conclusion: Sustained phenotype switching should be considered in patients developing opposing features during targeted therapy.
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