Dramatic improvement of severe acne pustolosa after adalimumab in a patient with ulcerative colitis

A 22‐year‐old male with extensive steroid‐dependent/azathioprine‐refractory ulcerative colitis and preexistent severe refractory acne pustolosa (AP) was successfully treated with adalimumab for both conditions. Severe AP could be considered a further indication, instead of a relative restriction, to anti‐TNFα in steroid‐dependent IBD patients needing therapy with this class of drugs.

Acne conglobata and adalimumab: use of tumour necrosis factor-α antagonists in treatment-resistant acne conglobata, and review of the literature

Acne conglobata (AC) is a chronic, severe, inflammatory variant of acne characterized by development of cystic nodules, abscesses and sinus tracts. AC may prove resistant to conventional acne therapy. The off-label use of adalimumab for the treatment of AC has been reported recently. We present a 26-year-old man with AC resistant to conventional treatment, who was treated with 40 mg adalimumab every other week, with significant clinical improvement. We review the evidence for the use of tumour necrosis factor antagonists in AC and related conditions. This case provides further evidence supporting the role of adalimumab in the treatment of AC.