A systematic review of tumor necrosis factor-α blockers, anti-interleukins, and small molecule inhibitors for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp treatment
Abstract Background Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS) is a type of neutrophilic scarring alopecia identified by the development of folliculitis with clusters of perifollicular pustules and then progresses to abscesses and intercommunicating sinus formation. In the absence of evidence-based gu...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03720-5 |
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| author | Nazila Heidari Rad Ghannadzadeh Kermani Pour Melina Farshbafnadi Amirhossein Heidari Yekta Ghane |
| author_facet | Nazila Heidari Rad Ghannadzadeh Kermani Pour Melina Farshbafnadi Amirhossein Heidari Yekta Ghane |
| author_sort | Nazila Heidari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS) is a type of neutrophilic scarring alopecia identified by the development of folliculitis with clusters of perifollicular pustules and then progresses to abscesses and intercommunicating sinus formation. In the absence of evidence-based guidelines, the treatment of DCS remains a therapeutic challenge. Our study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of biologics, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) blockers, anti-interleukins (ILs), and small molecule inhibitors, including Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and phosphodiesterase inhibitors in treating DCS. Methods PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Ovid Embase databases were systematically searched until February 4th, 2024. Study selection was restricted to case reports, case series, cohort studies, and clinical trials published in English-language. NIH and Murad et al.’s quality assessment tools were utilized for critical appraisal. Results A total of 34 articles involving 81 patients met the inclusion criteria. The immunomodulators studied for the treatment of DCS include adalimumab, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, ustekinumab, secukinumab, guselkumab, risankizumab, tildrakizumab, apremilast, upadacitinib, and baricitinib. Our findings implied that TNF-α blockers and IL inhibitors were associated with clinical improvement in most individuals with moderate-to-severe DCS, especially in those who had failed earlier treatments. Moreover, certolizumab pegol could be a safe option for DCS in pregnancy. In addition, the prescription of small molecule inhibitors, including JAK inhibitors and apremilast in DCS patients, demonstrated a significant amelioration in DCS symptoms with a desirable safety profile. Nevertheless, the available data was limited, warranting further investigation. Besides, all aforementioned immunomodulators are still debated for their effectiveness on hair regrowth and reversing the scarring process. Conclusions The application of immunomodulators in treating DCS was associated with satisfactory outcomes, although there is still a need to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness of these therapeutic agents in preventing disease progression and new flare-ups. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e0167a3d7cea4b1d93ee95bc205452ac |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1750-1172 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-e0167a3d7cea4b1d93ee95bc205452ac2025-08-20T03:53:57ZengBMCOrphanet Journal of Rare Diseases1750-11722025-05-0120112810.1186/s13023-025-03720-5A systematic review of tumor necrosis factor-α blockers, anti-interleukins, and small molecule inhibitors for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp treatmentNazila Heidari0Rad Ghannadzadeh Kermani Pour1Melina Farshbafnadi2Amirhossein Heidari3Yekta Ghane4School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical SciencesSchool of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesSchool of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesFaculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad UniversitySchool of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS) is a type of neutrophilic scarring alopecia identified by the development of folliculitis with clusters of perifollicular pustules and then progresses to abscesses and intercommunicating sinus formation. In the absence of evidence-based guidelines, the treatment of DCS remains a therapeutic challenge. Our study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of biologics, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) blockers, anti-interleukins (ILs), and small molecule inhibitors, including Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and phosphodiesterase inhibitors in treating DCS. Methods PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Ovid Embase databases were systematically searched until February 4th, 2024. Study selection was restricted to case reports, case series, cohort studies, and clinical trials published in English-language. NIH and Murad et al.’s quality assessment tools were utilized for critical appraisal. Results A total of 34 articles involving 81 patients met the inclusion criteria. The immunomodulators studied for the treatment of DCS include adalimumab, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, ustekinumab, secukinumab, guselkumab, risankizumab, tildrakizumab, apremilast, upadacitinib, and baricitinib. Our findings implied that TNF-α blockers and IL inhibitors were associated with clinical improvement in most individuals with moderate-to-severe DCS, especially in those who had failed earlier treatments. Moreover, certolizumab pegol could be a safe option for DCS in pregnancy. In addition, the prescription of small molecule inhibitors, including JAK inhibitors and apremilast in DCS patients, demonstrated a significant amelioration in DCS symptoms with a desirable safety profile. Nevertheless, the available data was limited, warranting further investigation. Besides, all aforementioned immunomodulators are still debated for their effectiveness on hair regrowth and reversing the scarring process. Conclusions The application of immunomodulators in treating DCS was associated with satisfactory outcomes, although there is still a need to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness of these therapeutic agents in preventing disease progression and new flare-ups.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03720-5Dissecting cellulitis of the scalpHoffman diseasePerifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiensCicatricial alopeciaTumor necrosis factor-αInterleukin |
| spellingShingle | Nazila Heidari Rad Ghannadzadeh Kermani Pour Melina Farshbafnadi Amirhossein Heidari Yekta Ghane A systematic review of tumor necrosis factor-α blockers, anti-interleukins, and small molecule inhibitors for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp treatment Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp Hoffman disease Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens Cicatricial alopecia Tumor necrosis factor-α Interleukin |
| title | A systematic review of tumor necrosis factor-α blockers, anti-interleukins, and small molecule inhibitors for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp treatment |
| title_full | A systematic review of tumor necrosis factor-α blockers, anti-interleukins, and small molecule inhibitors for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp treatment |
| title_fullStr | A systematic review of tumor necrosis factor-α blockers, anti-interleukins, and small molecule inhibitors for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | A systematic review of tumor necrosis factor-α blockers, anti-interleukins, and small molecule inhibitors for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp treatment |
| title_short | A systematic review of tumor necrosis factor-α blockers, anti-interleukins, and small molecule inhibitors for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp treatment |
| title_sort | systematic review of tumor necrosis factor α blockers anti interleukins and small molecule inhibitors for dissecting cellulitis of the scalp treatment |
| topic | Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp Hoffman disease Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens Cicatricial alopecia Tumor necrosis factor-α Interleukin |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-025-03720-5 |
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