November 24, 2025 - Alexandria, VA. On November 16, 2025, a Joint Position Statement from the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) Medical Board and the International Psoriasis Council (IPC) on “Routine Testing for Latent Tuberculosis Infection Prior To and During Treatment of Psoriasis Patients with IL-17 or IL-23 Inhibitors” was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. This effort represents the opinions of over 100 global experts on psoriasis and the clinical leadership of both NPF and IPC. Together, the two leading organizations have formally adopted the recommendation that routine testing for latent tuberculosis infection is not required prior to or during treatment of psoriasis patients with IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitors.
Testing for latent tuberculosis infection has been recommended in clinical practice for patients treated with advanced psoriasis therapies. This is primarily due to the use of tumor necrosis factor a (TNF) inhibitors, which have been shown to promote progression of latent TB infection to active disease. However, the evidence for this same progression to active disease when using IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors is limited. The NPF and IPC believe this creates an unwarranted barrier to treatment access for patients and increases the complexity and cost of research involving these therapies.
NPF and IPC partnered to review clinical evidence, including real-world data, regarding IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors, paying close attention to evidence suggesting progression from latent TB infection to active disease. Using literature from pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, and real-world studies, an evidence-based review was conducted to examine progression of latent TB to active disease in patients with psoriasis who were being treated with IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitors. To further examine the role of IL-17 and IL-23 in TB progression, the teams conducted a search of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), which resulted in no signal detection for IL-17 or IL-23, but confirmed a signal with TNF inhibitors.
Utilizing this research, members of the NPF Medical Board, as well as Board Members/Councilors of IPC, voted to adopt a consensus recommendation. Overall, 87.5% of respondents voted in favor of endorsing the statement. Reasons for dissent were limited to consideration of patients treated in endemic TB areas. “While an important consideration,” says Guy Eakin, Ph.D., Chief Science and Medical Officer of the National Psoriasis Foundation, “this recommendation accommodates this concern, and creates no barriers to latent TB screening if indicated for other reasons. This recommendation firmly states that IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors are not, by themselves, an indication for screening.”
“This joint position statement represents a step forward towards making care for patients with psoriasis more accessible. This evidence shows routine TB testing for patients awaiting treatment with IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitors is unwarranted, and by removing that barrier, we can get patients the care they need faster,” said Bruce Strober, M.D., Ph.D., President of IPC.
Speaking to the impact of the recommendation, Andrew Blauvelt, M.D., M.B.A., Chair of the NPF Medical Board and IPC Board Member, offered, “As clinicians and global leaders in psoriatic disease research, we’re very proud to be able to point the field and regulatory authorities to this very simple guideline of reducing the costs and complexity of clinical care and research. We encourage drug manufacturers and regulators to confidently embrace this recommendation as they bring the next generation of IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors to our patient communities.”
This joint position statement is based on research and real-world evidence and is applicable to current clinical practice as well as future clinical trials.
“As a global community of psoriasis experts, IPC is committed to helping clinicians make confident, evidence-based decisions that support high-quality patient care. This joint statement reflects the strength of our collaboration with the NPF and the importance of providing clear, practical guidance that supports patient access to effective treatments,” said Christy Langan, CEO of IPC.
“This consensus offers clinicians a strong scientific foundation for caring for patients treated with IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors. By aligning expert opinion with current evidence, we aim to reduce unnecessary testing, focus attention on true clinical risk, and support more efficient and effective care for people living with psoriasis,” said Peter van de Kerkhof, M.D., Ph.D., CMO of IPC.
“This collaboration between NPF and IPC represents a critical step forward in improving outcomes for people living with psoriatic disease. By publishing evidence-based guidance that routine latent tuberculosis testing is not required prior to or during treatment with IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitors, we are removing unnecessary barriers and streamlining the path to effective treatments," said Leah M. Howard, JD, President and CEO of NPF. "This publication is testament to the power of collaboration between our organizations, as we work together to reduce obstacles and ensure people receive the care they need without delay.”
To learn more about this joint position paper, please visit: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(25)03232-3/fulltext
About the National Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is the leading nonprofit representing individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The mission of NPF is to drive efforts to cure psoriatic disease and improve the lives of more than 8 million individuals in the United States affected by this chronic immune-mediated disease. Learn more at psoriasis.org.
About the International Psoriasis Council
The International Psoriasis Council (IPC) is a global, dermatologist-led nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the care of people with psoriasis worldwide. IPC brings together leading experts in psoriatic disease to advance education, enhance patient outcomes, and support research through international collaboration. Founded in 2004, IPC works to create a world free of the burden of psoriasis. Visit psoriasiscouncil.org for more information.