Medication Review: What is the Mechanism of Action of Deucravacitinib?

In this video, Iris Zink, rheumatology nurse practitioner and clinic owner in East Lansing, Michigan, breaks down the mechanism of action of deucravacitinib, a first-in-class oral selective TYK2 inhibitor, and explains its role in managing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. With over 25 years of experience serving underserved populations, Iris uses memorable analogies to simplify the complex TYK2/STAT signaling pathway and help you understand the immunologic rationale behind TYK2-directed therapy.Learn how TYK2 selectively mediates cytokines like IL-12, IL-23, and Type I Interferons, and why allos­teric inhibition at the regulatory domain reduces off-target effects compared to traditional JAK inhibitors. Iris explains the differences between orthosteric vs. allosteric binding, and how deucravacitinib offers a more targeted, safer approach to reducing inflammation in autoimmune diseases.Learn more about TYK2 inhibition and psoriasis treatment options at RhAPP.org or download the RhAPP ACE app for more educational content.