Long-term treatment of severe SAPHO syndrome with adalimumab: case report and a review of the literature

Am J Clin Dermatol. 2012 Feb 1;13(1):55-9. doi: 10.2165/11593250-000000000-00000.

Abstract

SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis) syndrome defines an association of inflammatory cutaneous disorders with osteoarticular manifestations and represents a clinical and therapeutic challenge. We report a case of severe SAPHO syndrome with acne conglobata and a diffuse involvement of the anterior chest wall and sacroiliac joints that required treatment with isotretinoin and adalimumab, a new fully human anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α monoclonal antibody. Combination treatment determined a complete clinical remission of cutaneous and osteoarticular manifestations after 48 weeks. Despite maintenance of clinical remission, follow-up imaging studies after 24 months of adalimumab monotherapy revealed osteoarticular disease progression, with features of inflammatory osteitis. TNFα antagonists have been used as third-line therapy for SAPHO syndrome in single case reports or case series, but these lack consistent long-term follow-up. SAPHO syndrome can present an intermittent-favorable course in the majority of cases as well as a chronic-progressive course, the latter requiring aggressive combination treatment with TNFα antagonists and conventional systemic agents.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Adalimumab
  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Isotretinoin / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Isotretinoin
  • Adalimumab