Accelerating Hidradenitis Suppurativa Research

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Topic Description

Post Date: April 7, 2026

Expiration Date: April 7, 2027

Purpose

The purpose of this topic is to accelerate Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) research by improving scientific understanding of HS development, progression, and impact, and to improve health outcomes for those affected. 

Background 

HS is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory disease of the apocrine sweat glands, in which the pilosebaceous unit in intertriginous skin becomes inflamed. HS affects between 1 and 4% of people and is more common in women (with a female: male ratio of 3:1), in certain populations, and in association with Down Syndrome and other conditions. 

HS carries significant comorbidity and is associated with increased risk of other chronic conditions including metabolic syndrome, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, anxiety and depression.

While genetics, including mutations in gamma-secretase and other loci play a role in some HS endotypes, other factors, including hormonal, environmental, metabolic, and microbial factors contribute to development and progression of this complex disease.  HS is characterized by follicular occlusion and accompanied by a dysregulated innate and adaptive immune response to lesion inflammation. Progression of HS has been shown to be associated with elevations of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ, as well as dysregulated anti-microbial peptide production. Lesions exhibit biofilm-rich sinus tracts, which sustain and perpetuate inflammation often flaring in response to systemic metabolic and hormonal fluctuations. However, the exact mechanisms that drive disease activity, progression and flares are unknown, and merits further research. 

We are seeking research projects that: 

  • Study fundamental mechanisms of HS and its comorbidities, as well as factors contributing to disease activity and flares, and further characterize HS disease endotypes.
  • Harness computational tools and collaborative networks to investigate protective and driving factors of HS, disease inception, and flares in human cohorts. This may include studying the interplay of genetics, immunome, and the exposome across the lifespan.
  • Advance biomarkers, predictive models, and technologies (e.g., point-of-care testing, imaging, sensors, wearables) for HS.
  • Develop novel research models, including New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), that help explore interactions between host immune response, keratinocyte biology, and bacterial biofilms in the development of HS.
  • Advance research that will facilitate clinical trials for HS.

Central Scientific Contact:
Victoria Shanmugam, MBBS, FRCP, FACR, CCD
[email protected]

Participating ICOs

Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH)

The Office of Autoimmune Disease Research in the Office of Research on Women’s Health (OADR-ORWH) is interested in supporting research into HS. Topics of interest include:

  • Studies investigating fundamental mechanisms of HS and its comorbidities
  • Studies focusing on sex-specific variation in HS.
  • Studies that advance biomarkers, predictive models, and technologies for the study of HS.
  • Studies utilizing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for HS research.
  • Studies developing common data elements (CDEs) for HS research, and that will facilitate future clinical trials for HS.

The engagement of people living with and at risk of HS, family members/loved ones, clinicians, and allied health professionals in applications is strongly encouraged to ensure research has direct relevance to human health.

This office does not award grants. Applications must be relevant to the objectives of at least one of the participating Institutes or Centers listed in this topic.
ICO Scientific Contact:
Victoria Shanmugam, MBBS, FRCP, FACR, CCD
[email protected]

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

NIAID encourages mechanistic and translational studies of HS that define the immune, cellular, and molecular pathways driving disease initiation, progression, and flares. Areas of interest include: 

  • interactions among innate immune cells and adaptive immune cells; 
  • influence of the microbiota on susceptibility and progression; 
  • genetic risk and immune regulation; 
  • dysregulated inflammatory, complement, and neutrophil responses; 
  • shared and/or distinct immune mechanisms between HS and other autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. 

NIAID also encourages studies of immune pathways by which environmental, microbial, metabolic, and hormonal factors initiate or amplify HS-related immune dysregulation. Additional priorities include identification and validation of therapeutic targets to prevent onset, reduce chronic inflammation, and modify long-term outcomes in HS.

ICO Scientific Contact:
Jeffrey Rice, Ph.D.
[email protected]

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

NIAMS emphasizes innovative basic, translational, and clinical studies to advance our understanding of Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) etiology and pathobiology. The proposed research should aim to accelerate discovery in this field and identify potential drug targets to facilitate clinical trials. These studies could be extended to understudied skin conditions with pathophysiology similar to HS, such as pyoderma gangrenosum and PASH syndrome. Studies emphasizing multidisciplinary collaborations are encouraged. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Molecular and cellular immune mechanisms contributing to HS pathobiology 
  • Genetic, epigenetic, and epidemiologic studies 
  • Environmental triggers and nutritional factors impacting HS 
  • Unique omics signatures and signaling pathways associated with HS pathobiology 
  • Preliminary studies to support implementation of clinical trials 
    • Implement clinical trials in HS patients with innovative therapies for better patient outcomes 
ICO Scientific Contact:
Anita Undale
[email protected]

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

NIEHS is interested in epidemiology, mechanistic studies (including toxicology and gene-environment interactions), and appropriate in vitro, in vivo, and computational studies that examine the role of the exposome/environmental exposures in the development and/or progression of Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Examples of environmentally relevant exposures include industrial chemicals or manufacturing byproducts, metals, pesticides, ambient heat, air pollutants, and other inhaled toxicants.

ICO Scientific Contact:
Michael Humble, PhD
[email protected]

Bonnie Joubert, PhD
[email protected]

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