Adalimumab, a medication used to treat hidradenitis suppurativa, improves common hematologic abnormalities regardless of clinical response status, according to a recent post hoc analysis of two phase 3 randomized clinical trials.

Published in JAMA Dermatology, the study analyzed data from the PIONEER I and II trials, which enrolled 633 patients with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Participants were randomized to receive either 40-mg adalimumab weekly or placebo for the first 12 weeks.

Researchers found that 42.4% of patients had at least one hematologic abnormality at baseline, with anemia being the most common (61.1%). Adalimumab recipients experienced significant improvements in hemoglobin levels, platelet count, and white blood cell count, while placebo recipients did not.

The study also noted that adalimumab responders, defined as those who achieved a Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response, had significant improvements in all three hematologic parameters and were more likely to have a resolution of their anemia compared to adalimumab non-responders and placebo non-responders.

The findings highlighted the high inflammatory load in patients with HS and the frequent occurrence of inflammation-related dyscrasias, which may warrant aggressive management, the researchers noted. However, they acknowledged the study's limitations and the need for further research to validate the generalizability of the results.

The study was conducted with support from the Harvard Catalyst Clinical and Translational Science Center and financial contributions from Harvard University and its affiliated academic health care centers.

The authors reported various conflicts of interest, including personal fees and grants from pharmaceutical companies such as AbbVie, the maker of adalimumab. However, AbbVie had no role in the design, conduct, analysis, interpretation, or decision to submit the manuscript for publication.