Jelena Petković-Dabić

Full Citation: Petković-Dabić J, Binić I, Carić B, et al. Effects of Semaglutide Treatment on Psoriatic Lesions in Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Open-Label, Randomized Clinical Trial.Biomolecules. 2025;15(1):46.

Being a doctor has always been and will always be a humane profession that is primarily focused on people, their needs, and sometimes their desires. Doing good to others is the force that drives us and always returns good.

Jelena Petković-Dabić, MD, PhD, is a dermatovenereologist at the Clinic for Skin and Venereal Diseases of the University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka.

She is President of the Association of Doctors for Skin and Venereal Diseases “CUTIS” and Assistant Professor at the Department of Dermatovenerology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka. She holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Belgrade and earned her doctorate in medical sciences with a dissertation focused on autoimmune diseases, particularly psoriasis.

In addition to her academic and clinical roles, Dr. Petković-Dabić has served as principal investigator and coordinator and in two multicenter clinical studies investigating treatments for severe atopic dermatitis in children and adults, as well as severe hidradenitis suppurativa. Since 2017, she has also been active in private practice in the field of anti-aging medicine. She regularly lectures at national, regional and international dermatology meetings and is the author or co-author of numerous scientific publications.

Exploring a Novel Therapeutic Pathway for Psoriasis and its Comorbidities

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that often coexists with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, creating a significant burden for patients and complicating treatment strategies. Despite growing evidence linking metabolic dysfunction and systemic inflammation to psoriasis severity, therapeutic approaches that address both skin disease and metabolic comorbidities remain limited.

This open-label, randomized clinical trial is the first to investigate the effects of 12-week semaglutide treatment in obese patients with psoriasis and type 2 diabetes. The study demonstrated a significant improvement in psoriatic disease activity, with PASI scores reduced by more than 50% in patients with severe psoriasis. Importantly, these clinical improvements were accompanied by a 70% improvement in patients’ quality of life.

The findings provide strong evidence of a class effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of psoriasis and confirm semaglutide’s clinically relevant anti-inflammatory properties. By simultaneously targeting psoriasis, obesity and type 2 diabetes, semaglutide emerges as a promising therapeutic option for patients with complex comorbid disease profiles. This research contributes meaningful new insight into integrated treatment strategies and opens new perspectives for personalized, multidimensional care in dermatology.
 

Motivation, Teamwork and a Patient-Centered Vision

Dr. Petković-Dabić views medicine as a deeply humane profession, driven by the desire to help people and improve their lives. Her motivation for this research stemmed from a clear clinical challenge: patients suffering simultaneously from psoriasis, obesity and diabetes. She questioned whether one therapeutic approach could ease the burden of multiple conditions – and pursued this question with determination and strong team support.

She emphasizes the importance of collaboration, describing teamwork as a key source of strength in overcoming clinical and scientific challenges. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and discovering new cultures, cuisines and ways of life, which she finds both inspiring and enriching.

Being selected as a finalist for the International Medis Awards represents a profound personal and professional honor for her. She describes the recognition as especially meaningful given the size of her institution and country, and as a proud moment for her entire team at the Faculty of Medicine in Banja Luka and her colleagues at the Clinic for Skin and Venereal Diseases of the University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka. Standing alongside colleagues from leading European centers affirms the value of their work and reinforces her commitment to advancing dermatology through science, collaboration and patient-focused care.