Bimekizumab Leads to Sustained Flare-Free Status in Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa: 3-Year Data from BE HEARD EXT
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by nodules, abscesses, and draining tunnels, with acute exacerbations of symptoms known as “flares”.1,2 Timely disease management is important to reduce the frequency of flares.1 Bimekizumab (BKZ) is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F.3 Here, we report the proportion of patients with moderate to severe HS treated with BKZ who experienced a flare at a given visit up to Year3 and those who remained flare-free. Procedure: Data were pooled from BE HEARD I&II (BHI&II) and their open-label extension BE HEARD EXT (BHEXT).4,5 Patients randomized to receive BKZ from baseline in BHI&II who entered BHEXT were included (BKZ Total group). Flare at a visit was defined as ≥25% increase in abscess and inflammatory nodule (AN) count versus baseline with an absolute increase in AN count of ≥2. The proportion of patients with a flare at a given visit (single point) and the cumulative proportion of patients who remained flare-free (no observed flares at any visit up to and including the given timepoint) up to Week148 (Year3) are reported. Flare data were collected at scheduled clinic visits (reported as observed case). Results: 556 patients randomized to BKZ at baseline in BHI&II completed Week48 and entered BHEXT. At Week48/96, 2.2% (12/556)/0.9% (4/447) of patients experienced a flare. At Week148, no patients (0/367) experienced a flare. The cumulative proportions of patients who were flare-free up to Week48/96 were 83.8% (466/556)/83.7% (374/447). Up to Week148, 86.1% (316/367) remained flare-free. Conclusion: The majority of bimekizumab-treated patients with moderate to severe HS who remained in the study at Year3 remained flare-free at scheduled clinic visits through 3 years.
DOI: 10.25251/39p36662
Language: English
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225747118