Researchers may have uncovered genetic variants tied to the development of hidradenitis suppurativa, according to a new study published by Sun et al in JAMA Dermatology. The researchers performed a genome-wide association study of 720 patients who were enrolled in the HS Program for Research and Care Excellence from August 2018 to July 2021, conducted a meta-analysis using the UK Biobank and FinnGen biobanks, and tested for replication with the BioVU biobank. The researchers identified two hidradenitis suppurativa–associated loci near the SOX9 and KLF5 genes, indicating that the rs10512572 and rs17090189 variants may have been associated with disease pathogenesis. In a companion press release from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the study authors concluded that: “While more studies are needed to understand how DNA variants near SOX9 and KLF5 contribute to the pathophysiology of [hidradenitis suppurativa], both genes are potentially highly relevant and have not previously been linked to the condition.” The researchers hope that their new findings can lead to the development of novel therapeutics or tools to predict disease progression in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.