Management of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION

Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) is a rare and dangerous dermatologic emergency. It can have different presentations, especially in patients with multiple drug causes, and definitive management of SJS/TEN in these presentations remains unclear. Systemic corticosteroids, TNF inhibitors, and cyclosporine A are promising therapies.

CASE REPORT: In this case report, we present a 55-year-old man who developed SJS/TEN while on pembrolizumab and lamotrigine. The patient was treated with corticosteroids and a single dose of etanercept. After a one-week follow-up, the patient’s SJS/TEN had no new activity.

DISCUSSION: This literature review highlights how SJS/TEN may present differently in patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors. Treatments in these cases may vary from those with classic SJS/TEN.  Specifically, etanercept given days late into the disease course is effective in speeding re-epithelialization and tapering of already given corticosteroids in classic SJS/TEN. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(11):e24-e28     doi:10.36849/JDD.6999e.