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Disease
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Late-stage therapeutic developmentEmerging researchCooling momentum
11
Publications
20
Clinical trials
1
Related treatments
2025
Latest publication
Current focus
Therapeutic developmentInflammation & immunityMetabolic & lifestyle factors
Latest activity
betaRecent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this disease.
European S2k guidelines for hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa part 2: Treatment.
Research2024-12-19Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
New and Emerging Targeted Therapies for Hidradenitis Suppurativa.
Research2022-03-29International journal of molecular sciences
Regulatory2021-11-15EMA
Regulatory2021-11-12EMA
Research2021-01-23Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Regulatory2019-04-02EMA
Research2019-03-11Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Research2018-10-23Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
The Follicular Skin Microbiome in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Healthy Controls.
Research2017-09-01JAMA dermatology
What's happening now
An analyst briefing on current research, clinical, regulatory and industry activity surrounding this disease.
Executive briefingUpdating summary…Momentum: Moderate
Key developments
- 5 clinical trials expected to report results, the earliest in Q2 2027.
Upcoming Milestones
- Q2 2027A Randomized, Double-blind, Double-dummy, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter, Phase 3 Study Assessing the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of 2 Doses of Remibrutinib Over a 68-week Treatment Period in Adult and Adolescent Patients With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa (RECHARGE-2)
- Q3 2027A Phase 2, Dose Ranging, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of BFB759 in Patients With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa
- Q1 2028A Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Adult and Adolescent Subjects With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa Who Have Failed Anti-TNF Therapy
- Q1 2028A Phase 3b, Multicenter, Rollover Study for Participants Previously Enrolled in Clinical Trials of Povorcitinib
- Q3 2029An Open-label, Multicenter Study Assessing Efficacy and Safety of Secukinumab up to One Year in Chinese Adult Patients With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Major developments
Major trial resultsHigh impact
Results posted2026-05-19
Upcoming trial readoutHigh impact
Results expected Q3 20292026-07-10
Clinical MilestonesView all 11Hide
Results posted
- 2026-05-19A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Bimekizumab in Study Participants With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis SuppurativaResults posted
- 2025-11-05Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase IIb/Phase III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Spesolimab in Patients With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Lunsayil 1.Results posted
Results expected
- 2026-07-10An Open-label, Multicenter Study Assessing Efficacy and Safety of Secukinumab up to One Year in Chinese Adult Patients With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis SuppurativaResults expected Q3 2029
- 2026-07-06A Phase 3b, Multicenter, Rollover Study for Participants Previously Enrolled in Clinical Trials of PovorcitinibResults expected Q1 2028
- 2026-06-05A Randomized, Double-blind, Double-dummy, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter, Phase 3 Study Assessing the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of 2 Doses of Remibrutinib Over a 68-week Treatment Period in Adult and Adolescent Patients With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa (RECHARGE-2)Results expected Q2 2027
- 2026-05-29A Phase 2, Dose Ranging, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of BFB759 in Patients With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis SuppurativaResults expected Q3 2027
- 2026-03-04A Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Adult and Adolescent Subjects With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa Who Have Failed Anti-TNF TherapyResults expected Q1 2028
Recently completed
- 2026-05-20A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Sonelokimab in Adult Participants With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis SuppurativaCompleted
- 2025-12-23A Phase 3, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Efficacy and Safety Study of Povorcitinib (INCB054707) in Participants With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis SuppurativaCompleted
Other updates
+3 more in the activity timeline below
Activity timeline11
- 2026-07-10ClinicalAn Open-label, Multicenter Study Assessing Efficacy and Safety of Secukinumab up to One Year in Chinese Adult Patients With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis SuppurativaResults expected Q3 2029
- 2026-07-06ClinicalA Phase 3b, Multicenter, Rollover Study for Participants Previously Enrolled in Clinical Trials of PovorcitinibResults expected Q1 2028
- 2026-06-05ClinicalA Randomized, Double-blind, Double-dummy, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter, Phase 3 Study Assessing the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of 2 Doses of Remibrutinib Over a 68-week Treatment Period in Adult and Adolescent Patients With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa (RECHARGE-2)Results expected Q2 2027
- 2026-05-29ClinicalA Phase 2, Dose Ranging, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of BFB759 in Patients With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis SuppurativaResults expected Q3 2027
- 2026-05-20ClinicalA Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Sonelokimab in Adult Participants With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis SuppurativaCompleted
- 2026-05-19ClinicalA Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Bimekizumab in Study Participants With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis SuppurativaResults posted
- 2026-03-04ClinicalA Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Adult and Adolescent Subjects With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa Who Have Failed Anti-TNF TherapyResults expected Q1 2028
- 2026-01-22ClinicalPhase 2a Open-Label Basket Study to Evaluate Safety and Pharmacokinetics of INF904, an Oral C5aR1 Inhibitor, in Subjects With Moderate to Severe Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria or Hidradenitis SuppurativaTerminated
- 2026-01-01ClinicalBotulinum Toxin-A for Hidradenitis SuppurativaWithdrawn
- 2025-12-23ClinicalA Phase 3, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Efficacy and Safety Study of Povorcitinib (INCB054707) in Participants With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis SuppurativaCompleted
Therapeutic landscape
Therapies with a regulatory footing for this condition, alongside the wider set of agents co-studied with it in the literature.
Approved & established therapies
Adalimumabapproved
Approval — Rheumatoid arthritis Hukyndra in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for: -… (2021)
Bimekizumabapproved
Approval — Plaque psoriasis Bimzelx is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psor… (2021)
Secukinumabapproved
Approval — Plaque psoriasis Cosentyx is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque pso… (2015)
Clinical trials
The current development programme across all trial phases.
Clinical programme
20
6
17
6
Late-stage studies
Recruiting
Recently completed
Regulatory timeline
Drug regulatory events matched to this condition by indication — EMA.
First approvals
2021emaApproval — Adalimumab· Rheumatoid arthritis Hukyndra in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for: - the treatment of moderate to severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients when the response to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including methotrexate has been inadequate. - the treatment of severe, active and progressive rheumatoid arthritis in adults not previously treated with methotrexate. Hukyndra can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is inappropriate. Adalimumab has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of joint damage as measured by X-ray and to improve physical function, when given in combination with methotrexate. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis Hukyndra in combination with methotrexate is indicated for the treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, in patients from the age of 2 years who have had an inadequate response to one or more DMARD. Hukyndra can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is inappropriate (for the efficacy in monotherapy see section 5.1). Adalimumab has not been studied in patients aged less than 2 years. Enthesitis-related arthritis Hukyndra is indicated for the treatment of active enthesitis-related arthritis in patients, 6 years of age and older, who have had an inadequate response to, or who are intolerant of, conventional therapy (see section 5.1). Axial spondyloarthritis Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) Hukyndra is indicated for the treatment of adults with severe active AS who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. Axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of AS Hukyndra is indicated for the treatment of adults with severe axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of AS but with objective signs of inflammation by elevated CRP and/or MRI, who have had an inadequate response to, or are intolerant to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Psoriatic arthritis Hukyndra is indicated for the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in adults when the response to previous DMARD therapy has been inadequate. Adalimumab has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of peripheral joint damage as measured by X-ray in patients with polyarticular symmetrical subtypes of the disease (see section 5.1) and to improve physical function. Psoriasis Hukyndra is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy. Paediatric plaque psoriasis Hukyndra is indicated for the treatment of severe chronic plaque psoriasis in children and adolescents from 4 years of age who have had an inadequate response to or are inappropriate candidates for topical therapy and phototherapies. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) Hukyndra is indicated for the treatment of active moderate to severe HS (acne inversa) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with an inadequate response to conventional systemic HS therapy (see sections 5.1 and 5.2). Crohn’s disease Hukyndra is indicated for treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease, in adult patients who have not responded despite a full and adequate course of therapy with a corticosteroid and/or an immunosuppressant; or who are intolerant to or have medical contraindications for such therapies. Paediatric Crohn's disease Hukyndra is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease in paediatric patients (from 6 years of age) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including primary nutrition therapy and a corticosteroid and/or an immunomodulator, or who are intolerant to or have contraindications for such therapies. Ulcerative colitis Hukyndra is indicated for treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including corticosteroids and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) or azathioprine (AZA), or who are intolerant to or have medical contraindications for such therapies. Paediatric ulcerative colitis Hukyndra is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in paediatric patients (from 6 years of age) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including corticosteroids and/or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) or azathioprine (AZA), or who are intolerant to or have medical contraindications for such therapies. Uveitis Hukyndra is indicated for the treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior and panuveitis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to corticosteroids, in patients in need of corticosteroid-sparing, or in whom corticosteroid treatment is inappropriate. Paediatric uveitis Hukyndra is indicated for the treatment of paediatric chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis in patients from 2 years of age who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant to conventional therapy, or in whom conventional therapy is inappropriate. source ↗
2021emaApproval — Adalimumab· Rheumatoid arthritis Libmyris in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for: the treatment of moderate to severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients when the response to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including methotrexate has been inadequate. the treatment of severe, active and progressive rheumatoid arthritis in adults not previously treated with methotrexate. Libmyris can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is inappropriate. Adalimumab has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of joint damage as measured by X-ray and to improve physical function, when given in combination with methotrexate. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis Libmyris in combination with methotrexate is indicated for the treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, in patients from the age of 2 years who have had an inadequate response to one or more DMARD. Libmyris can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is inappropriate (for the efficacy in monotherapy see section 5.1). Adalimumab has not been studied in patients aged less than 2 years. Enthesitis-related arthritis Libmyris is indicated for the treatment of active enthesitis-related arthritis in patients, 6 years of age and older, who have had an inadequate response to, or who are intolerant of, conventional therapy. Axial spondyloarthritis Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) Libmyris is indicated for the treatment of adults with severe active AS who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. Axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of AS Libmyris is indicated for the treatment of adults with severe axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of AS but with objective signs of inflammation by elevated CRP and/or MRI, who have had an inadequate response to, or are intolerant to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Psoriatic arthritis Libmyris is indicated for the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in adults when the response to previous DMARD therapy has been inadequate. Adalimumab has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of peripheral joint damage as measured by X-ray in patients with polyarticular symmetrical subtypes of the disease and to improve physical function. Psoriasis Libmyris is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy. Paediatric plaque psoriasis Libmyris is indicated for the treatment of severe chronic plaque psoriasis in children and adolescents from 4 years of age who have had an inadequate response to or are inappropriate candidates for topical therapy and phototherapies. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) Libmyris is indicated for the treatment of active moderate to severe HS (acne inversa) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with an inadequate response to conventional systemic HS therapy (see sections 5.1 and 5.2). Crohn’s disease Libmyris is indicated for treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease, in adult patients who have not responded despite a full and adequate course of therapy with a corticosteroid and/or an immunosuppressant; or who are intolerant to or have medical contraindications for such therapies. Paediatric Crohn's disease Libmyris is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease in paediatric patients (from 6 years of age) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including primary nutrition therapy and a corticosteroid and/or an immunomodulator, or who are intolerant to or have contraindications for such therapies. Ulcerative colitis Libmyris is indicated for treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including corticosteroids and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) or azathioprine (AZA), or who are intolerant to or have medical contraindications for such therapies. Paediatric ulcerative colitis Libmyris is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in paediatric patients (from 6 years of age) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including corticosteroids and/or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) or azathioprine (AZA), or who are intolerant to or have medical contraindications for such therapies. Uveitis Libmyris is indicated for the treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior and panuveitis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to corticosteroids, in patients in need of corticosteroid-sparing, or in whom corticosteroid treatment is inappropriate. Paediatric uveitis Libmyris is indicated for the treatment of paediatric chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis in patients from 2 years of age who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant to conventional therapy, or in whom conventional therapy is inappropriate. source ↗
2021emaApproval — Bimekizumab· Plaque psoriasis Bimzelx is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy. Psoriatic arthritis Bimzelx, alone or in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adults who have had an inadequate response or who have been intolerant to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Axial spondyloarthritis Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) Bimzelx is indicated for the treatment of adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation as indicated by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) who have responded inadequately or are intolerant to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ankylosing spondylitis (AS, radiographic axial spondyloarthritis) Bimzelx is indicated for the treatment of adults with active ankylosing spondylitis who have responded inadequately or are intolerant to conventional therapy. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)Bimzelx is indicated for the treatment of active moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa) in adults with an inadequate response to conventional systemic HS therapy. source ↗
2019emaApproval — Adalimumab· Rheumatoid arthritis Idacio in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for: the treatment of moderate to severe, active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients when the response to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs including methotrexate has been inadequate. the treatment of severe, active and progressive rheumatoid arthritis in adults not previously treated with methotrexate. Idacio can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is inappropriate. Adalimumab has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of joint damage as measured by X-ray and to improve physical function, when given in combination with methotrexate. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis Idacio in combination with methotrexate is indicated for the treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, in patients from the age of 2 years who have had an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Idacio can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is inappropriate (for the efficacy in monotherapy see section 5.1). Adalimumab has not been studied in patients aged less than 2 years. Enthesitis-related arthritis Idacio is indicated for the treatment of active enthesitis-related arthritis in patients, 6 years of age and older, who have had an inadequate response to, or who are intolerant of, conventional therapy (see section 5.1). Axial spondyloarthritis Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) Idacio is indicated for the treatment of adults with severe active ankylosing spondylitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. Axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of AS Idacio is indicated for the treatment of adults with severe axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of AS but with objective signs of inflammation by elevated CRP and/or MRI, who have had an inadequate response to, or are intolerant to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Psoriatic arthritis Idacio is indicated for the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in adults when the response to previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy has been inadequate. Adalimumab has been shown to reduce the rate of progression of peripheral joint damage as measured by X-ray in patients with polyarticular symmetrical subtypes of the disease (see section 5.1) and to improve physical function. Psoriasis Idacio is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy. Paediatric plaque psoriasis Idacio is indicated for the treatment of severe chronic plaque psoriasis in children and adolescents from 4 years of age who have had an inadequate response to or are inappropriate candidates for topical therapy and phototherapies. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) Idacio is indicated for the treatment of active moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with an inadequate response to conventional systemic HS therapy. Crohn’s disease Idacio is indicated for treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease, in adult patients who have not responded despite a full and adequate course of therapy with a corticosteroid and/or an immunosuppressant; or who are intolerant to or have medical contraindications for such therapies. Paediatric Crohn's disease Idacio is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease in paediatric patients (from 6 years of age) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including primary nutrition therapy and a corticosteroid and/or an immunomodulator, or who are intolerant to or have contraindications for such therapies. Ulcerative colitis Idacio is indicated for treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including corticosteroids and 6 mercaptopurine (6-MP) or azathioprine (AZA), or who are intolerant to or have medical contraindications for such therapies. Uveitis Idacio is indicated for the treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior and panuveitis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to corticosteroids, in patients in need of corticosteroid- sparing, or in whom corticosteroid treatment is inappropriate. Paediatric Uveitis Idacio is indicated for the treatment of paediatric chronic non-infectious anterior uveitis in patients from 2 years of age who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant to conventional therapy, or in whom conventional therapy is inappropriate. source ↗
2015emaApproval — Secukinumab· Plaque psoriasis Cosentyx is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults and children from the age of 6 years old who are candidates for systemic therapy. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) Cosentyx is indicated for the treatment of active moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa) in adults with an inadequate response to conventional systemic HS therapy. Psoriatic arthritis Cosentyx, alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX), is indicated for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adult patients when the response to previous disease modifying anti rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy has been inadequate. Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) Ankylosing spondylitis (AS, radiographic axial spondyloarthritis) Cosentyx is indicated for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis in adults who have responded inadequately to conventional therapy. Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) Cosentyx is indicated for the treatment of active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation as indicated by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence in adults who have responded inadequately to non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) Enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) Cosentyx, alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX), is indicated for the treatment of active enthesitis-related arthritis in patients 6 years and older whose disease has responded inadequately to, or who cannot tolerate, conventional therapy. Juvenile psoriatic arthritis (JPsA) Cosentyx, alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX), is indicated for the treatment of active juvenile psoriatic arthritis in patients 6 years and older whose disease has responded inadequately to, or who cannot tolerate, conventional therapy. source ↗
European Medicines Agency (CC BY 4.0). Events are matched to this condition by drug indication text — approvals/updates for drugs indicated for it, not disease-specific acts.
Research activity
Key research shaping understanding of this disease, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.
Publications over time
20152025
Most influential
Recent publications
Major themes8
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa4
- Androgen Antagonists1
- Anti-Bacterial Agents1
- Cost of Illness1
- Immunosuppressive Agents1
- Metabolic Syndrome1
- Microbiota1
- Needs Assessment1
Leading journals6
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology3
- Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV3
- The British journal of dermatology2
- International journal of molecular sciences1
- JAMA dermatology1
- The Journal of investigative dermatology1
Leading researchers8
- Zouboulis CC5
- Bechara FG4
- Ingram JR4
- Jemec GBE4
- Prens EP4
- Tzellos T4
- van der Zee HH4
- Alavi A3
Affiliations (unnormalised)6
- Zealand University Hospital5
- University Hospital of North Norway4
- Cardiff University3
- Perelman School of Medicine3
- Dessau Medical Center2
- Dessau Medical Centre2
Disease profile
A grounded synthesis of the condition — overview, causes, mechanism, risk factors and current standard of care.
Overview
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, suppurative, and scarring skin disease that occurs chiefly in apocrine-gland-bearing areas, especially the axillae, groin, and anal regions. It is characterized by poral occlusion, abscess formation, rupture, and progression to ulcers, sinus tracts, fistulas, fibrosis, and scarring.
Causes
The MeSH definition describes poral occlusion with secondary bacterial infection as part of the disease process. The supplied review material also describes hidradenitis suppurativa as a chronic inflammatory skin disease deriving from the hair follicles, but does not support a more specific cause.
Pathophysiology
The disease process begins with follicular or poral occlusion and evolves into inflammatory nodules and abscesses that can rupture. With chronicity, sinus tracts, fistulas, fibrosis, and scarring develop, and the literature describes involvement of pro-inflammatory mediators including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-17, and IL-12/23.
Risk factors
The supplied grounding supports an anatomic distribution chiefly in the axillae in women and the groin and anal regions in men. It also notes associated comorbidities that contribute to poor health and impaired quality of life, but does not provide specific causal risk factors for developing the disease.
Current standard of care
Management is described as combining medical and surgical approaches, often together for best outcomes. Medical therapy includes topical therapies, systemic antibiotics, hormonal therapies, and immunomodulating medications, with adalimumab identified as the only approved biologic therapy for moderate to severe disease in adults and adolescents.
AI-generated summary grounded in MeSH and 5 peer-reviewed sources. Informational only — not medical advice. Generated 2026-07-07.
Reference
Authoritative identity, definition & identifiers.
Defined in MeSH
A chronic suppurative and cicatricial disease of the apocrine glands occurring chiefly in the axillae in women and in the groin and anal regions in men. It is characterized by poral occlusion with secondary bacterial infection, evolving into abscesses which eventually rupture. As the disease becomes chronic, ulcers appear, sinus tracts enlarge, fistulas develop, and fibrosis and scarring become evident.
Identifiers
References & data sources
- Disease identity & definition — NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), public domain
- Clinical trials — ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Research activity — Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI) + OpenAlex-derived paper links
- Related entities are derived from literature co-mention (studied together) — associative, not causal.