Understanding the Genes Behind Hidradenitis Suppurativa in teens and young adults
Official title: Determining the Genetic Basis of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11401412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to find genetic factors that contribute to hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a painful skin condition that often starts in adolescence and affects many Black individuals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 22, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $423,553 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR083790-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents and young adults with hidradenitis suppurativa, especially individuals from diverse backgrounds including Black patients.
✕Less likely to help
People without HS or those unable to participate in genetic studies may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project will look at the DNA of about 2,000 diverse HS patients to identify new genetic risk factors beyond those already known. Researchers will compare genetic data with HS features to see how genes like SOX9 and KLF5 may influence hair follicles, skin, and inflammation in HS. By integrating genome-wide analyses with tissue data, the team hopes to uncover potential targets for future therapies. The research builds on prior work and aims to translate findings into better understanding and treatment options for HS patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could reveal new genetic targets that guide the development of clearer, more effective treatments for HS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous GWAS work identified several risk loci; this study expands the sample size to discover additional targets.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sayed, Christopher J — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Sayed, Christopher J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Anti-CD38 immunotherapy for severe hidradenitis suppurativa
A new treatment using anti-CD38 therapy is being tested for people with severe hidradenitis suppurativa who have not responded to prior therapies.
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Botulinum toxin blocks nerve signals to immune cells to treat hidradenitis suppurativa
This NIH grant tests a new approach to hidradenitis suppurativa by using botulinum toxin to interrupt nerve signals that may drive skin inflammation in patients.
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Precision therapies for hidradenitis suppurativa using AI
A doctor-researcher team at UC San Francisco is using advanced computer methods to find personalized drug options to treat hidradenitis suppurativa.
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Injectable Hydrogel for HS: a localized therapy to ease painful skin disease
A new baricitinib hydrogel is being developed to deliver pain relief and reduce inflammation directly in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) lesions, potentially lowering systemic side effects.
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Whole-genome sequencing to understand hidradenitis suppurativa in diverse groups
Researchers will study the genetic factors that contribute to hidradenitis suppurativa, especially in African American, Hispanic/Latino, and White patients, to better understand why some people are more affected.
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Cortisol Synthesis and HS Tunnel Disease in 3D Skin Models
Aims to understand how cortisol production and signaling affect the painful tunnels in hidradenitis suppurativa using 3D skin models and patient tissue.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.