title: Infliximab for severe hidradenitis suppurativa: transient clinical efficacy in 7 consecutive patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and debilitating disorder. Despite its significant prevalence, few reports of therapeutic studies are available. Recent case studies have reported the efficacy of antitumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibodies in treating the condition. In the study presented here, we assessed the safety and efficacy of infliximab in a series of patients with severe HS.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed all consecutive patients with severe HS and treated with infliximab between October 2004 and December 2005. They were evaluated using the Sartorius severity score, a physician and patient overall assessment, and the Skindex-29 quality-of-life index. A substantive response was defined as marked or moderate overall improvement assessed by both physician and patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients were reviewed. All received at least 3 infusions of infliximab (5 mg/kg) in weeks 0, 2, and 6, and 5 patients received a fourth infusion at week 10. At week 6, a substantive improvement was seen in 5 patients. With the other 2 patients, any improvement was minimal or nonexistent. At week 10, there was a substantive response in 2 of the 5 patients. Adverse events occurred in 3 patients: abdominal pain caused by colon cancer, a multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, and a severe allergic reaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have reported on only 7 patients. All had severe and chronic disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The efficacy of infliximab in patients with severe HS seems transient and is associated with significant toxicity. Prospective randomized studies are required to better assess the benefit-risk ratio of antitumor necrosis factor agents for this indication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France. laurence.fardet@sat.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fardet
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dupuy
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kerob
authors.forename: Annabelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allez
authors.forename: Edouard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Begon
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bachelez
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morel
authors.forename: Celeste
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lebbé
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000069285:Infliximab