title: Acne conglobata and adalimumab: use of tumour necrosis factor-α antagonists in treatment-resistant acne conglobata, and review of the literature.
abstract: Acne conglobata (AC) is a chronic, severe, inflammatory variant of acne characterized by development of cystic nodules, abscesses and sinus tracts. AC may prove resistant to conventional acne therapy. The off-label use of adalimumab for the treatment of AC has been reported recently. We present a 26-year-old man with AC resistant to conventional treatment, who was treated with 40 mg adalimumab every other week, with significant clinical improvement. We review the evidence for the use of tumour necrosis factor antagonists in AC and related conditions. This case provides further evidence supporting the role of adalimumab in the treatment of AC.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Z Z N
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Yiu
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Madan
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: C E M
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000069316:Acne Conglobata / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068879:Adalimumab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000068879:Adalimumab