Treatment of recalcitrant granuloma annulare (GA) with adalimumab: A single-center, observational study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Generalized or disseminated granuloma annulare (GA) is therapeutically challenging. Adalimumab, a tumor necrosis factor-α antagonist, has recently been used to treat GA.

OBJECTIVE:

We sought to evaluate adalimumab's efficacy in treating GA.

METHODS:

We identified 7 patients with physician-verified GA who were treated with adalimumab. Primary endpoints were improvements in GA Investigator Global Assessment score and body surface area. Secondary end points included erythema and induration improvement.

RESULTS:

Seven adults, ages 51 to 77 years, were included. All patients' GA Investigator Global Assessment scores improved by 2 or greater. We found significant improvements in body surface area, erythema, and induration (average improvements by 87%, 88%, and 95%, respectively). Two patients required increases in adalimumab frequency. Two others noted GA recurrence; 1 restarted adalimumab and cleared again. Adverse events were minimal.

LIMITATIONS:

Conclusions are limited because of small sample size and observational nature of the study.

CONCLUSION:

Our results suggest that adalimumab could be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for GA. It is a particularly attractive therapy for patients who have generalized or disseminated GA.

• Authors: Michelle S Min, Mark Lebwohl
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 74 Issue 1 Pg. 127-33 (Jan 2016) ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26552891 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Observational Study)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Adalimumab

Topics

• Adalimumab (therapeutic use)
• Aged
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Granuloma Annulare (drug therapy, pathology)
• Humans
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Sampling Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (administration & dosage, antagonists & inhibitors)