Gottlieb A, Natsis NE, Kerdel F, et al. - In this phase 2, multi-center, open-label study, researchers tested the effectiveness and safety of bermekimab, an interleukin-1⍺ inhibitor, in patients naïve to or have failed prior anti-TNF therapy with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Forty-two patients in HS were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 24): bermekimab administered subcutaneously at a dose of 400 mg weekly (13 doses) in individuals who had previously failed anti-TNF therapy. Group B ( n= 18): bermekimab administered subcutaneously at a dose of 400 mg weekly (13 doses) in individuals who were anti-TNF naïve. There were no adverse events related to bermekimab except for site reactions to the injection. In anti-TNF naïve and anti-TNF failure groups, respectively, a significant decrease in abscesses and inflammatory nodules of 60% and 46% was seen. Findings suggested that interleukin-1⍺ is emerging as an effective therapeutic target for skin disease and bermekimab may be a potential therapy for moderate to severe HS treatment.