New Treatments & Clinical Trials for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa causes painful lumps, abscesses, and tunneling wounds in areas where skin rubs together — armpits, groin, under breasts, buttocks. It affects roughly 1 in 100 people, often starting after puberty. Treatment has traditionally relied on antibiotics, surgical drainage, and excision of affected skin, with adalimumab being the only FDA-approved biologic since 2015.

What's actually going on in research

Trials are testing IL-17 inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, and other biologics already approved for other inflammatory conditions. Researchers are studying the role of bacteria, biofilms, and immune pathways that differ from traditional acne. Surgery techniques and laser treatments are being refined, and studies are examining combinations of medical and procedural approaches for severe disease.

What to know before you search

Eligibility typically depends on disease severity (number of abscesses, draining tunnels, and affected areas), prior treatments tried, and duration of disease.

What types of trials are currently open

• Biologic trials — Testing injected or infused drugs that block specific immune signals, comparing them to adalimumab or placebo.
• JAK inhibitor trials — Testing oral pills that dampen multiple immune pathways, often in people with moderate to severe disease.
• Combination trials — Testing medical treatments alongside surgery or laser therapy to see if combining approaches prevents recurrence.
• Antibiotic trials — Testing different antibiotic regimens, durations, or combinations to control bacterial contribution to flares.
• Natural history studies — Following people over time to learn how the disease progresses and what factors predict severity or response to treatment.