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In this short video interview, David Rosmarin, MD, shares some insights from his presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology Virtual Meeting Experience on "Off-Label Use of Biologics and New Medications," including the off-label therapies showing efficacy in treating hidradenitis suppurativa.
Dr Rosmarin is the vice chair of research and education in the department of dermatology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA.
Transcript
Dr Rosmarin: Hidradenitis suppurativa, or HS, is a disease of abscesses, nodules, and cysts in the armpits, groin, buttocks, and other areas of the body. Currently, only adalimumab, or Humira, is approved for HS. There is increasing evidence that blocking interleukin-17 can improve the disease.
In phase 2 studies, both secukinumab, or Cosentyx, and, in a separate study, bimekizumab have been shown to improve HS. There are some other exciting treatments that are being evaluated, such as oral JAK inhibitors, anti-IL-1 biologics and others, which hold much promise.
HS is a diverse disease, with patients having different areas involved, different types of lesions, and different comorbidities. We're still trying to figure out which medications would be best for which patients. Nevertheless, it's helpful to have additional options for patients, particularly if they haven't responded to antibiotics or adalimumab or other options.
