Immunomodulatory Drugs in the Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa-Possibilities and Limitations

Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, is a chronic, progressive, debilitating, recurrent inflammatory skin disease characterized by the occurrence of very severe, persistent, painful nodules, abscesses, and fistulas, most commonly found in the skin folds of the axilla, groin, gluteal, and perianal areas. Treatment is rather difficult and typically requires the use of multiple modalities. Regardless of the presence of several therapeutic options, treatment often turns out to be ineffective or poorly selected concerning the clinical picture of the disease. Thus, the search for new biologics and other target treatments of hidradenitis suppurativa is ongoing. The safety and efficacy of adalimumab, still the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved biologic in the hidradenitis suppurativa treatment, paved the way for new drugs to be compared with it. Several more drugs with new immunological targets are currently under investigation for the treatment of acne inversa. The aim of the article was to present the current and future targets of acne inversa treatment, simultaneously providing insights into the molecular pathomechanisms of the disease.

Automated summary

Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, is a debilitating skin disease characterized by severe inflammation and the formation of painful nodules, abscesses, and fistulas. Current treatment options are limited and ineffective, leading to the search for new biologics and target treatments. This article discusses the current and future targets for acne inversa treatment and provides insights into the molecular pathomechanisms of the disease.