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Disfiguring annular sarcoidosis improved by adalimumab
C A Kaiser1, A Cozzio, G F L Hofbauer
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Case Reports in Dermatology
|June 17, 2011
Summary
This study shows adalimumab effectively treated a patient with severe cutaneous sarcoidosis, reducing skin lesions and improving quality of life. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibition offers a new treatment option for this disfiguring condition.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Cutaneous sarcoidosis can cause disfiguring skin lesions impacting quality of life.
- Effective treatments for localized, severe cutaneous sarcoidosis are limited.
- Systemic sarcoidosis requires comprehensive management strategies.
Observation:
- A 39-year-old male presented with a large, hypopigmented, atrophic plaque on scar tissue.
- Skin biopsies confirmed non-caseating granulomas, indicative of sarcoidosis.
- Hilar lymph node involvement confirmed stage II systemic sarcoidosis with cutaneous manifestation.
Findings:
- The patient's lesions were resistant to multiple conventional therapies.
- Adalimumab treatment led to lesion regression and reduced inflammatory infiltrate within 4 months.
- Significant improvements were observed in disease activity (VAS 7/10 to 3.5/10) and quality of life (DLQI 16/30 to 3/30).
Implications:
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibition with adalimumab is a viable treatment for refractory cutaneous sarcoidosis.
- Targeting TNF-α can effectively manage inflammation and disfigurement in sarcoidosis.
- Restoration of quality of life is achievable with targeted biologic therapies.
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