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When anti-tumor necrosis factor-α backfires: paradoxical psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a patient with hidradenitis suppurativa

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Published: 11 September 2026
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Dear Editor,

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the folliculoapocrine units. Biological therapies, historically led by the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibody adalimumab, have transformed severe HS management. Recently, interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors (secukinumab, bimekizumab) were also approved in Europe for moderate-to-severe HS. However, TNF-α blockade can paradoxically induce or exacerbate inflammatory skin and joint conditions, including psoriasis (incidence 1-5%) and psoriatic arthritis. We report a case of paradoxical inverse psoriasis and suspected early psoriatic arthritis induced by adalimumab in an HS patient, successfully managed by switching to secukinumab. [...]

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Citations

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How to Cite



1.
Del Re C, Filastro V, Fasano G, Valenti G, D'Amico D. When anti-tumor necrosis factor-α backfires: paradoxical psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a patient with hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Reports [Internet]. 2026 Sep. 11 [cited 2026 Sep. 14];. Available from: https://journals.pagepress.net/dr/article/view/10808