Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Although adalimumab is the only approved biologic for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), the treatment response may not be satisfactory in all patients. Recently, many other biological agents, including interleukin 17 inhibitors such as ixekizumab, have shown promise. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Five severe HS (Hurley stage III) patients resistant to conventional treatments and adalimumab for at least 3 months were recruited. Patients were prescribed ixekizumab with a scheme approved for psoriasis (160 mg once, followed by 80 mg at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12.) The primary outcome measure was achieving the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) score following 12 weeks. Secondary outcome measures included the patient-reported Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and visual analog scale (VAS). Four of 5 patients (80%) achieved HiSCR. While improvement was observed in the VAS and DLQI scores of 4 patients, the decline was limited in 1 patient. No adverse event was recorded related to ixekizumab. CONCLUSION: The result of our observation suggests that ixekizumab may be effective for HS, especially in challenging cases.