Journal of Dermatological Treatment

The Role of GLP-1 Agonists in Dermatologic Disease

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment is pleased to announce a new Article Collection dedicated to the role that GLP-1 agonists play in the treatment of dermatologic disease.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a class of drugs typically used in the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity, designed to mimic the activity of endogenous GLP-1. GLP-1 agonists primarily act by slowing gastric emptying, resulting in better glucose regulation and weight loss. New research suggests that GLP-1 agonists offer medical benefits that extend beyond metabolic regulation. This may be due to modulation/downregulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, a major mediator of general inflammatory cytokines also responsible for multiple dermatologic conditions. Research also suggests that in addition to regulating inflammatory mediators through NF-κB signaling, GLP-1 also acts through AMP-activated protein kinase pathway which regulates metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and autophagy. As a host of dermatologic diseases are associated with underlying metabolic disease and inflammation, GLP-1 agonists may therefore be a possible treatment option, leading to a growing interest in their use in the management of multiple dermatologic conditions.

Due to the breakthrough that GLP-1 drugs have had in patients for glucose control and weight loss benefits, there is more attention and research directed towards utilizing these drugs for other conditions. Targeting metabolic pathways with these drugs may expand the medications available for a range of inflammatory diseases, including dermatologic conditions. Moreover, in patients with comorbid metabolic and inflammatory dermatologic conditions, GLP-1 agonists may reduce combination therapy by acting to treat both.

In this Article Collection, we welcome relevant research that explores the role of GLP-1 agonists in dermatological disease treatment, including (but not limited to):

1. Management of diseases such as psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and various forms of alopecia using GLP-1 agonists alone or in combination with other treatments
2. Dermatologic side effects of GLP-1 agonists
3. Treating comorbid disorders with GLP-1 agonists
4. GLP-1 for non-inflammatory skin disease (AN, skin tags, skin discoloration)
5. Disease-associated inflammatory pathways impacted by GLP-1

Keywords: GLP-1 agonists; Insulin resistance; Alopecia; Psoriasis; Hidradenitis suppurativa

­­All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 1st May 2026.

Please contact the Commissioning Editor Ashley Ambros with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

Please be sure to select the Article Collection title "The Role of GLP-1 Agonists in Dermatologic Disease" from the drop-down menu in the submission system.

Meet the Guest Advisor

Dr. Crystal Aguh is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Ethnic Skin Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr Aguh’s area of research focuses primarily on skin conditions that disproportionately impact minority populations, with particular emphasis on cicatricial alopecia. She has authored four books on hair loss and has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and given multiple national and international talks on these topics.  As a result of her work, Dr. Aguh is the recipient of numerous prestigious research awards & grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Skin of Color Society, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and the Dermatology Foundation. In April 2019, Dr. Aguh, along with other prominent awardees including then-former Vice President Joe Biden, was honored by the National Minority Quality Forum with the 40 under 40 Leaders in Minority Health award for her academic work. Dr. Aguh completed her residency at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, serving as the chief resident in her final year training. She received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and earned her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, with honors, earning induction into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.

Dr. Aguh Declares the Following Conflicts of Interest: 

• Advisory Board: Myovant Sciences, Olaplex
• Consultant: Pfizer, Lilly, Galderma, Proctor & Gamble, CP Skin Health
• Honoraria: UpToDate:
• Research support: Janssen