Kanni, Theodora

Abstract Background The results of a previous phase IIa trial suggested efficacy of the anti-C5a compound vilobelimab in a small number of patients with severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) refractory to adalimumab treatment. Objectives To study the efficacy of vilobelimab in a larger-scale randomized phase IIb trial (SHINE) of patients with moderate-to-severe HS. Methods In total, 177 patients with moderate-to-severe HS were treated either with placebo or one of four doses of vilobelimab, a monoclonal antibody that targets the complement split product C5a. Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) at 16 weeks was the primary endpoint. Those who achieved HiSCR switched to open-label low-dose vilobelimab; those who did not were switched to medium-dose vilobelimab. The trial was registered with the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT number 2017-004501-40) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03487276). Results The study did not meet the primary endpoint, perhaps due, in part, to an unexpectedly high HiSCR placebo response rate of 47.1%. HS flares decreased and post hoc analysis showed that high-dose vilobelimab significantly decreased the median draining tunnel counts and IHS4 score by 63%. Following the switch to medium-dose vilobelimab at week 16, 45.5% of those who did not respond to treatment achieved HiSCR at week 40. Conclusions Compared with placebo, vilobelimab treatment did not result in significant HiSCR improvements in patients with moderate-to-severe HS. Post hoc analysis revealed significant effects for the highest tested dose on draining tunnel reduction and IHS4 score, which captures reductions in draining tunnels. These findings warrant further investigation.

Importance Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a substantial burden. Standardized global prevalence estimates and data on associated sociodemographic and risk factors are lacking. Objective To estimate the global prevalence of HS and study differences in prevalence by age, sex, geographical location, body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), smoking status, gross domestic product (GDP), and Human Development Index (HDI). Data Sources and Study Selection Included studies were conducted using the standardized Global Hidradenitis Suppurativa Atlas methodology with finalized data collection before May 19, 2023. Studies were required to use a population-based sampling method and conduct clinical confirmation of HS diagnosis following a screening questionnaire. Data Extraction and Synthesis Data were independently extracted from relevant studies by 2 reviewers (D.B. and C.E.M.) using a standardized form. Extracted variables included geographic location, age, sex, BMI (median and BMI >30), smoking status, HS prevalence estimates (with 95% CIs), GDP, and HDI. A proportional meta-analysis using a random-effects model was conducted on the included studies. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the point prevalence of HS, confirmed by clinical examination. Secondary outcomes included differences in HS prevalence by sex, age, BMI category, smoking status, and country-level socioeconomic indicators (GDP and HDI). All outcomes were prespecified before data analysis. Results The sample included 22 743 participants, identifying 247 patients with HS, across 25 studies in 23 countries spanning 6 continents. The median proportion of female patients with HS was 55.6%, and the median age was 34.5 years. While the prevalence estimates showed considerable inconsistency ( I 2 > 75%; τ 2 = 0.747), the overall random-effects global prevalence of HS was 0.99% (95% CI, 0.67%-1.46%). Female sex was the only factor observed to be associated with the prevalence estimates (β = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03). Conclusions and Relevance In this meta-analysis, an estimated global prevalence of HS between 0.67% and 1.46% surpassed previous global estimates. Substantial global variations in HS prevalence were also observed. Female sex was the only factor associated with prevalence in this sample. Future studies assessing genetic, environmental, and etiological factors are warranted to explain the heterogeneity in prevalence.