Takeda Targets Clinical Disparities in Psoriasis Research

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Psoriasis affects over 7.5 million Americans and approximately60 million people worldwide and is associated with significant comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, psoriatic arthritis, and depression.^1,2 Additionally, individuals with psoriasis experience a decreased quality of life due to stigmatization and loss of work productivity.³

Addressing Health Disparities in Psoriasis

Despite the widespread prevalence of psoriasis, there are notable health disparities in its diagnosis, treatment, and research. While psoriasis prevalence appears similar between men and women, it varies across racial and geographical lines. Studies indicate that individuals with skin of color (SOC) experience lower diagnosis rates, longer times to diagnosis, and lower utilization of dermatologic care compared to those with lighter skin tones. Black and Hispanic patients are significantly more likely to delay both general medical and specialist care, leading to an increased burden of disease.⁴

Geographical disparities further compound these challenges. Patients in rural areas often face longer wait times and greater travel distances to access dermatologic care, resulting in delayed treatment and increased disease severity. Furthermore, underdiagnosis remains a significant issue, particularly among underserved and underrepresented populations, leading to an incomplete understanding of psoriasis epidemiology in the United States.⁵

The Lack of Diversity in Psoriasis Clinical Trials

One of the major challenges in psoriasis research is the lack of diversity in clinical trials. Psoriasis trials are among the least diverse within dermatology, with participants predominantly being white men. This lack of representation limits the ability to generalize trial results to broader patient populations, creating potential disparities in treatment efficacy and accessibility. Without adequate representation, real-world responses to psoriasis treatments in diverse populations remain uncertain.⁶

“Our work to ensure our clinical trials better reflect the patient populations we aim to serve is an ongoing and collaborative process,” said LaShell Robinson, head of global feasibility and trial equity at Takeda, in a recent release. “We are partnering with other organizations around the world to increase understanding of how diseases and treatments affect different patient populations, encourage participation among historically underrepresented patient populations in clinical research and identify remaining unmet needs and opportunities for us to work together to advance more equitable psoriasis care for all.”

Takeda’s Commitment to Equitable Research

Takeda Pharmaceuticals recognized this need for inclusive clinical trials that better reflect the real-world patient population. To address this, the company has implemented a multifaceted approach aimed at improving representation in its US-based Phase 3 psoriasis clinical trials.⁷

“A clear understanding of the global burden of psoriasis begins with comprehensive prevalence data from as many countries as possible,” said Sicily Mburu, MD, IFPA scientific officer, in the release. “We are collaborating with like-minded organizations to build a strong evidence base, track comorbidities, assess the economic impact, and enable benchmarking across nations. By advancing research and data collection, we can drive meaningful change for people living with psoriasis worldwide.”

Key components of Takeda’s approach include:

• Data-Driven Enrollment Goals: Takeda utilized epidemiological data, real-world evidence, and claims data from insurers to establish enrollment targets that accurately reflect the demographics of psoriasis patients in the US.
• Strategic Site Selection: By prioritizing clinical trial sites in diverse communities, Takeda ensured broader representation and accessibility for historically underrepresented groups.
• Targeted Recruitment Strategies: Digital recruitment materials were tailored to resonate with different racial and ethnic groups, and partnerships with community organizations were established to build trust and encourage participation.

Achievements and Challenges

Takeda successfully met or exceeded many of its enrollment goals. Notably, the company achieved:

• More than double the expected enrollment of Hispanic participants.
• Nearly double the expected enrollment of Black participants.
• Meeting its Asian enrollment targets after an initial shortfall by adapting recruitment strategies.

However, certain challenges remain. While Takeda exceeded representation of Native American participants based on recent census data, it fell short of initial enrollment targets, possibly due to an overestimation of prevalence. Additionally, despite the assumption of equal opportunity for enrollment, fewer women participated in the trials than men, highlighting the need for further gender inclusivity efforts.

Future Directions

Takeda aims to expand its commitment to diversity and inclusion on a global scale. Moving forward, the company will:

• Collaborate with international organizations to enhance data collection and epidemiology research.
• Address gender disparities by actively working to increase participation of women in clinical trials.
• Continue refining recruitment strategies to ensure real-world representation of patient populations.

Conclusion

Takeda’s approach to inclusive and equitable psoriasis clinical trials represents a significant step toward addressing health disparities and improving patient outcomes. By prioritizing diversity in research, the company is working to ensure that future treatments are effective and accessible for all individuals with psoriasis. While challenges remain, ongoing efforts and collaboration within the industry will be essential in fostering a more inclusive landscape for dermatological research and care.

“By collaborating, patient advocates and industry can drive progress in reducing inequities in access to care and treatment, expanding data collection initiatives, and addressing health disparities in clinical trials,” said Mburu.

References

1. AlQassimi S, AlBrashdi S, Galadari H, Hashim MJ. Global burden of psoriasis - comparison of regional and global epidemiology, 1990 to 2017. Int J Dermatol. 2020;59(5):566-571. doi:10.1111/ijd.14864
2. Daugaard C, Iversen L, Hjuler KF. Comorbidity in adult psoriasis: Considerations for the clinician. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2022;12:139-150. Published 2022 Jun 10. doi:10.2147/PTT.S328572
3. Frede N, Hiestand S, Schauer F, et al. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have a major impact on quality of life and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study of 300 patients. Rheumatol Ther. 2023;10(6):1655-1668. doi:10.1007/s40744-023-00602-9
4. Nock MR, Barbieri JS, Krueger LD, Cohen JM. Racial and ethnic differences in barriers to care among US adults with chronic inflammatory skin diseases: A cross-sectional study of the All of Us Research Program. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;88(3):568-576. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2022.09.054
5. National Psoriasis Foundation. How health disparity affects health care. Accessed March 3, 2025. https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/health-disparity-bipoc/.
6. Narla S, Heath CR, Alexis A, Silverberg JI. Racial disparities in dermatology. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 Jul;315(5):1215-1223. doi: 10.1007/s00403-022-02507-z. Epub 2022 Dec 12. PMID: 36508020; PMCID: PMC9743121.
7. Takeda’s commitment to inclusive and equitable clinical research in psoriasis. News Release. Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Accessed March 4, 2025.