Weekly adalimumab significantly reduces the number of abscesses and inflammatory nodules in patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa

Commentary on: Kimball AB, Okun MM, Williams DA, et al.. Two phase 3 trials of adalimumab for hidradenitis suppurativa. N Engl J Med 2016;375:422–34 . Context Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful, chronic inflammatory skin disease, characterised by the presence of inflamed nodules, abscesses, pustules, fistulas and scar tissue, usually located in the axillary and inguinal area. Treatment is difficult; most patients require a combination of surgical treatment and medical treatment. The clinical symptoms can be reduced considerably by using anti-inflammatory medication. Since 2001, several monoclonal antibodies have been tried in HS, including the tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab. Adalimumab is the first monoclonal antibody that was tested in large randomised placebo-controlled clinical trials. Methods In two double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trials (PIONEER I and II), patients were randomly assigned to 40 mg adalimumab weekly or placebo, for 12 weeks. In the second phase...

Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - January 23, 2017 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Mekkes, J. Tags: Therapeutics/Prevention Source Type: research