Ustekinumab in the treatment of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: multicenter case series and systematic review

Abstract

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic debilitating autoinflammatory skin disease. Adalimumab is the only biologic agent available to treat HS, but lack of response is observed in some patients. Ustekinumab may be useful to treat patients with HS who do not respond to adalimumab. Objective The objectives of this study were: (1) to retrospectively evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of ustekinumab in a multicenter series of patients with HS and (2) to assess all published scientific evidence on its utilization in patients with HS. Methods We evaluated the therapeutic outcomes of 10 patients with HS treated with ustekinumab and conducted a systematic review of published epidemiological studies on ustekinumab-treated patients with HS. Results In the case series, an improvement in the Physician Global Assessment score was observed in 70% (7/10) patients and an improvement in the Numerical Pain Rating Scale in 80% (8/10). In the systematic review, clinical improvement in disease severity was reported in 76% (34/45) patients and symptomatic improvement in 84% (38/45). No severe ustekinumab-related adverse event was recorded. Conclusion These findings suggest that ustekinumab may be an effective and safe option for patients with HS who fail to respond to first-line therapies.