Advances in HS: Insights and Interventions Shared at Annual Conference

“It's a very exciting time for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) right now, Jennifer Hsiao, MD, told Dermatology Times in an exclusive interview at the 2024 Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants Annual Summer Dermatology Conference in San Diego, California. Hsiao was referring to the number of options available to patients with HS as well as current research indicating additional new treatments. She added that the progress is “long overdue.”

Hsiao’s session at the conference reviewed available and emerging treatments for HS and provided attendees with insights into recognizing and addressing comorbidities, addressing lifestyle modifications, and developing appropriate and effective treatment strategies for their patients.

In terms of treatments, Hsiao said the biologic adalimumab (Humira) was approved in 2015 by the US Food and Drug Administration for moderate to severe HS in adults. In October 2023, the FDA approved secukinumab (Cosentyx) for moderate to severe HS in adults, making it the interleukin(IL)-17A inhibitor approved for this indication.“In addition, we will have some more IL-17 inhibitors on the horizon,” Hsiao said. “Bimekizumab, an IL-17A and IL17-F inhibitor, had positive phase 3 trials, and likely will be FDA-approved—fingers crossed—later this year,” she added.

There are other options on the horizon, Hsiao told Dermatology Times. “Povorcitinib is a JAK [Janus kinase]-1 selective inhibitor for HS that's wrapping up their phase 3 trials. Upadacitinib [Rinvoq] is starting their phase 3 trials and will be coming in soon,” she said. “And so I feel with these additional options what I'm hoping is that it's going to provide more awareness amongst patients and providers regarding HS and more options for us to reach for. Because what works for one patient may not work for another.”

“There's also been some movement in the topical space,” Hsiao said, referring to ruxolitinib (Opzelura), which she noted had positive phase 2 to data results too. “So far treatments have just been approved for moderate to severe HS, so it's nice to see some attention on the milder HS patients,” she told Dermatology Times. “And also just thinking about really trying to catch patients early and start appropriate treatment early so we aren't seeing the patients with extensive tunnels, drainage pain, etc.”

Hsiao noted the HS Foundation is a great resource for clinicians who want additional support or information with complicated cases. “There is an HS clinic finder, where there are referral centers for HS, if you have a patient, you've tried your best, and you feel like they need an advanced level of care,” she told Dermatology Times. “All the providers are vetted and provide services like clinical trials and other things too.”

“Our HS patients really need our help,” she added. “And sometimes even just expressing care for them, and letting them know that you're rooting for them. You're going to try treatment, it may not be the one that they're ultimately going to stay on, but you'll be with them for that journey... I really encourage people to you know, hold on to their patients with HS, and just try.”

Fore more conference coverage, see DermatologTimes.com.