title: Treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa with biologic medications.
abstract: Given the absence of significant improvement in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) with traditional medical and surgical therapies, biologics have piqued the interest of research investigators. The efficacy of biologics in the treatment of inflammatory conditions like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis is well-documented. More recently, success with biologics has been demonstrated in atopic dermatitis, another dermatological condition associated with inflammatory states. Researchers have begun to probe the utility of biologic agents in less prevalent conditions that feature inflammation as a key characteristic, namely, hidradenitis suppurativa. Five agents in particular adalimumab, anakinra, etanercept, infliximab, and ustekinumab, have been explored in the setting of HS. Results to date put forward adalimumab and infliximab as biologic treatments that can safely be initiated with some expectant efficacy. Other biologic agents require more rigorous examination before they are worthy of addition to the treatment armamentarium.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Clinic, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California. Electronic address: robertaklee@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California.
authors.forename: Daniel B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Eisen
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D000068800:Etanercept / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D061214:Patient Safety; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001688:Biological Products; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept
keywords: acne inversa; adalimumab; anakinra; biologics; etanercept; hidradenitis suppurativa; infliximab; treatment; tumor necrosis factor–alfa; ustekinumab