Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of etanercept for patients with severe HS. METHODS: We conducted a phase II clinical trial of etanercept (50 mg/wk subcutaneously) in patients with moderate to severe HS. Efficacy was measured using a Physician Global Assessment and several secondary physician- and patient-reported outcome measures. Responders were classified as those achieving at least a 50% reduction on the Physician Global Assessment score at week 12 compared with baseline. RESULTS: Only 3 of the 15 patients who entered the study were classified as responders (response rate of 20%; 95% confidence interval: 4.3-48.1) based on the intention-to-treat analysis. Dermatology Life Quality Index scores improved slightly from a median of 19 to 15 (P = .02). Comparison of baseline with week-12 Physician Global Assessment scores, and secondary outcome measures of lesion counts and patient pain scores, failed to show statistically significant improvement. Etanercept was generally well tolerated; however, two patients discontinued the study as a result of skin infections at the site of hidradenitis lesions requiring oral antibiotics. LIMITATIONS: Lack of a control group and a small number of participants are limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated minimal evidence of clinically significant efficacy of etanercept (50 mg/wk subcutaneously) in the treatment of hidradenitis. Future studies using higher doses of etanercept are indicated; however, patients need to be carefully monitored for infection and other adverse events. Randomized, controlled trials will be necessary to demonstrate the risk-to-benefit ratio of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors in the treatment of hidradenitis.
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Authors | Robert A Lee, Erica Dommasch, James Treat, Joslyn Sciacca-Kirby, Samuel Chachkin, Jennifer Williams, Daniel B Shin, James J Leyden, Carmela Vittorio, Joel M Gelfand |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
(J Am Acad Dermatol)
Vol. 60
Issue 4
Pg. 565-73
(Apr 2009)
ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 19185954
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Immunoglobulin G
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- Etanercept
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Topics |
- Adult
- Etanercept
- Female
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
(therapeutic use)
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(antagonists & inhibitors)
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