A Novel Treatment of Acne Fulminans with Adalimumab: A Case Report

Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor treatment of acne fulminans - a clinical and literature review

Acne fulminans (AF) is a rare, serious, sudden-onset and long-lasting skin disease that causes scarring of face and body. Standard treatment with combined long-term isotretinoin and prednisolone is not always sufficient and has a well-known propensity for adverse effects leaving an unmet need for improved therapy. Case reports suggest that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors may play a role in the management of AF. In a 3-year retrospective data collection from two dermatology centers and literature review of clinical cases of acne fulminans treated with anti-TNF-α therapy, three clinical cases and twelve literature cases were identified. A total of five different TNF-α inhibitors have been tested, with adalimumab being the most commonly used. Clinical response was seen after 1 month in 2/3 (67%) clinical cases and 5/12 (42%) literature cases, respectively, and treatment was successful in 2/3 (67%) and 11/12 (92%) after a median 3-7 months. All reported adverse effects were mild and reversible. Anti-TNF-α treatment may provide rapid improvement in patients with AF when initial treatment with isotretinoin and prednisolone fails. However, randomized controlled trials are lacking, and exact dosage and timing need to be explored before clinical implementation.

Behandlung der Acne fulminans mit Tumornekrosefaktor-α-Inhibitoren - eine Übersicht klinischer Fälle und der Literatur: Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor treatment of acne fulminans - a clinical and literature review

Acne fulminans (AF) ist eine seltene, schwerwiegende, plötzlich auftretende und lang andauernde Hauterkrankung, die Vernarbungen im Gesicht und am Körper verursacht. Die Standardbehandlung mit langfristiger Verabreichung einer Kombination aus Isotretinoin und Prednisolon reicht nicht immer aus und kann unerwünschten Wirkungen haben. Es gibt daher einen ungedeckten Bedarf an besseren Therapien. Fallberichte lassen darauf schließen, dass Tumornekrosefaktor‐α (TNF‐α)‐Inhibitoren eine Rolle bei der Behandlung von AF spielen könnten. In einer 3 Jahre abdeckenden retrospektiven Datenerhebung aus zwei dermatologischen Zentren sowie einer Literaturübersicht klinischer Fälle von Acne fulminans, die mit Anti‐TNF‐α‐Therapie behandelt wurden, konnten drei klinische Fälle und zwölf Literaturfälle ermittelt werden. Insgesamt wurden fünf verschiedene TNF‐α‐Inhibitoren eingesetzt, am häufigsten Adalimumab. Klinisches Ansprechen wurde nach 1 Monat bei 2/3 (67%) der klinischen Fälle beziehungsweise 5/12 (42%) der Literaturfälle beobachtet. Nach einer medianen Dauer von 3–7 Monaten war die Behandlung bei 2/3 (67%) und 11/12 (92%) der Betroffenen erfolgreich. Alle berichteten unerwünschten Wirkungen waren leicht und reversibel. Die Anti‐TNF‐α‐Behandlung kann zu schneller Verbesserung bei Patienten mit AF führen, wenn die Erstbehandlung mit Isotretinoin und Prednisolon versagt. Allerdings fehlen randomisierte, kontrollierte Studien, und die exakte Dosierung sowie der exakte Zeitablauf müssen vor der klinischen Umsetzung genauer geprüft werden.

Use of Interleukin-12/23 Inhibitor for the Management of Acne Fulminans

Acne fulminans (AF) is a rare disorder marked by severe eruptions of inflamed nodules, hemorrhagic crusts, and ulcers accompanied by systemic symptoms and often laboratory abnormalities. Commonly affecting adolescent males with pre-existing acne, AF has been associated with isotretinoin therapy and elevated testosterone levels. With unknown pathogenesis, lesions frequently involve the trunk and face and are managed standardly with corticosteroids and isotretinoin. Uncontrolled or recurrent cases pose challenges due to prolonged high-dose corticosteroid use with increased scarring. In this study, we present a case of AF in a 17-year-old male unresponsive to corticosteroid and isotretinoin therapy, successfully treated with ustekinumab, an interleukin (IL)-12/23 inhibitor. The introduction of ustekinumab facilitated a controlled corticosteroid taper and isotretinoin dose escalation, resulting in significant clinical improvement of skin lesions and systemic symptoms. This case report underscores the potential of ustekinumab as a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of AF, particularly in cases where corticosteroid and isotretinoin combination therapy have proven ineffective.

Case report: Acne vulgaris treatment with 5-Aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy and adalimumab: a novel approach

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that affects a large proportion of teenagers and young adults. Despite the availability of various treatment options, many patients experience inadequate relief or intolerable side effects. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a growing interest in the treatment of acne vulgaris, with 5-Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) being one of the most commonly used photosensitizers. Adalimumab is a biologic medication used to treat inflammatory skin conditions such as Psoriasis and Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), which targets TNF-α. Combining different therapies, such as ALA-PDT and adalimumab, can often provide more effective and longer-lasting results. This report presents the case of a patient with severe and refractory acne vulgaris who was treated with a combination of ALA-PDT and adalimumab, resulting in significant improvement in the condition. The literature review highlights the significant comorbidity associated with acne, emphasizing the need for potential of TNF-α inhibitors for its effective treatments that address physical symptoms and ALA-PDT is known to treat scar hyperplasia, and to prevent or minimize the formation of post-acne hypertrophic scars. The combination of TNF inhibitors and ALA-PDT or adalimumab has shown promising results in treating inflammatory skin conditions, including severe and refractory acne vulgaris, as per recent studies.

Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitors in the Treatment and Occurrence of Acne: A Systematic Review

Importance

Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (TNFis) approved to treat several inflammatory diseases are sometimes used off label to treat severe forms of acne that are refractory to conventional therapies. However, use of TNFis can also be followed by acne occurrence, suggesting an association between TNFis and acne. Most of the literature on the topic comprises case reports and series that have not been reviewed in a systematic manner.

Objective

To characterize the demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, treatments, and outcomes of patients receiving TNFis to treat acne and patients who develop acne following treatment of other conditions with TNFis.

Evidence Review

A systematic literature review was performed and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses reporting guidelines. PubMed and Web of Science were searched from inception through October 17, 2022. Included studies reported on patients of any sex or age who received TNFis whose treatment was followed by resolution or occurrence of acne. Two independent reviewers screened studies based on predefined criteria and extracted data from each study, which were quantitatively combined.

Findings

A total of 53 studies reporting on 64 patients who received TNFis for the treatment of acne (n = 47) or who experienced acne after treatment with TNFis for a different condition (n = 17) (mean age, 28.7 years; range, 12-64 years; 6 female individuals [8.8%]) were included. The TNFis used included adalimumab, infliximab, and etanercept. Among the 47 patients treated for acne with TNFis, most had previously received antibiotics (31 [66.0%]) or isotretinoin (32 [68.1%]). Most (44 [93.6%]) experienced partial improvement (25 [53.2%]) or clearance (19 [40.4%]) with very few adverse effects reported (3 [6.4%]). Acne manifested as part of an inflammatory syndrome for 30 patients (63.8%). Among the 17 patients treated TNFis for a different condition followed by the occurrence of acne, only 1 patient (5.9%) reported having a history of acne. Therapy with TNFis was either discontinued (8 [47.1%]) or altered (6 [35.3%]) in most patients due to acne occurrence, typically with improvement in symptoms.

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this systematic review suggest that TNFis can be effective in treating refractory acne but can also be associated with the occurrence of acne in certain instances. Further studies elucidating the role that TNF plays in treating and inducing acne could yield insight into off-label TNFi use and acne pathogenesis, potentially guiding clinical care of patients with acne treated or induced by TNFis.