Discussing GLP-1 or Dual Incretin Therapies in IL-17 Mediated Disease, With Neal Bhatia, MD

Following the release of new positive findings seen in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and obesity or overweight treated with combined ixekizumab (Taltz) and tirzepatide (Zepbound), released by Eli Lilly and Company, the HCPLive team spoke in an interview with trial investigator and director of Clinical Dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research, Neal Bhatia, MD.^1,2

Bhatia spoke in a previous interview about these new phase 3b TOGETHER-PsO trial data and their significance for patients with psoriasis and elevated body mass index (BMI).² He had touched on the potential of GLP-1 agonists on immune pathways. Beyond psoriasis, Bhatia was later asked whether he sees a potential role for GLP-1 or dual incretin therapies in other interleukin (IL)-17–mediated conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

“There are some diseases that are BMI dependent, and there are some that kind of go along with those methods [where you see if you can] improve their disease by improving their weight or by improving their BMI,” Bhatia said. “I think again, the sky's the limit in the opportunities with the inflammatory cascade.”

Bhatia highlighted the benefits observed in the IL-17 pathway. However, he noted it is not yet clear for conditions such as lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) or prurigo nodularis. The efficacy and the strength of such inhibition would have to be more elucidated, but he described research into topical steroids versus topical steroids with the GLP-1 agonists as a potentially useful comparison.

The increasing level of discussion seen in dermatology regarding adipose tissue as an active inflammatory organ was also highlighted. Bhatia was asked in this interview how such a concept could reshape the way in which dermatologists think about treating patients with obesity and chronic inflammatory skin disease.

“We're seeing that adipose tissue can be a strong source of inflammatory mediators,” Bhatia explained. “I think the sky's the limit of what we can discover by, again, changing someone's body mass index, for example, or adding these therapies to treatments that might not be successful.”

The quotes in this video summary were edited for clarity.

Bhatia has reported serving as an advisor, consultant, and investigator for AbbVie, Almirall, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Beiersdorf, Biofrontera, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cara Therapeutics, Dermavant Sciences, EPI Health, Ferndale, Galderma, Incyte, ISDIN, Johnson & Johnson, La Roche-Posay, LEO Pharma, Lilly, Ortho Dermatologics, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and Verrica Pharmaceuticals.

References

1. Lilly's Taltz (ixekizumab) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) used together delivered superior efficacy in first-of-its-kind Phase 3b trial for adults with psoriasis and obesity or overweight. Eli Lilly. February 18, 2026. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-taltz-ixekizumab-and-zepbound-tirzepatide-used-together-0.

2. Bhatia N. Discussing Promising New Findings on GLP-1 Use in Psoriasis Management, With Neal Bhatia, MD. HCPLive. February 26, 2026. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.hcplive.com/view/discussing-promising-new-findings-glp-1-use-psoriasis-management-neal-bhatia-md.