Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are rare diseases that are characterized by widespread epidermal necrosis and sloughing of skin. They are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and early diagnosis and treatment is critical in achieving favorable outcomes for patients. In this scoping review, Excerpta Medica dataBASE and PubMed were searched for publications that addressed recent advances in the diagnosis and management of the disease. Multiple proteins (galectin 7 and RIP3) were identified that are promising potential biomarkers for SJS/TEN, although both are still in early phases of research. Regarding treatment, cyclosporine is the most effective therapy for the treatment of SJS, and a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and corticosteroids is most effective for SJS/TEN overlap and TEN. Due to the rare nature of the disease, there is a lack of prospective, randomized controlled trials and conducting these in the future would provide valuable insights into the management of this disease.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a fatal drug-induced skin reaction triggered by common medications and is an emerging public health issue1-3. Patients with TEN undergo severe and sudden epidermal detachment caused by keratinocyte cell death. Although molecular mechanisms that drive keratinocyte cell death have been proposed, the main drivers remain unknown, and there is no effective therapy for TEN4-6. Here, to systematically map molecular changes that are associated with TEN and identify potential druggable targets, we utilized deep visual proteomics, which provides single-cell-based, cell-type-resolution proteomics7,8. We analysed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archived skin tissue biopsies of three types of cutaneous drug reactions with varying severity and quantified more than 5,000 proteins in keratinocytes and skin-infiltrating immune cells. This revealed a marked enrichment of type I and type II interferon signatures in the immune cell and keratinocyte compartment of patients with TEN, as well as phosphorylated STAT1 activation. Targeted inhibition with the pan-JAK inhibitor tofacitinib in vitro reduced keratinocyte-directed cytotoxicity. In vivo oral administration of tofacitinib, baricitinib or the JAK1-specific inhibitors abrocitinib or upadacitinib ameliorated clinical and histological disease severity in two distinct mouse models of TEN. Crucially, treatment with JAK inhibitors (JAKi) was safe and associated with rapid cutaneous re-epithelialization and recovery in seven patients with TEN. This study uncovers the JAK/STAT and interferon signalling pathways as key pathogenic drivers of TEN and demonstrates the potential of targeted JAKi as a curative therapy.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life-threatening diseases characterized by detachment of the epidermis and mucous membrane. SJS/TEN are considered to be on the same spectrum of diseases with different severities. They are classified by the percentage of skin detachment area. SJS/TEN can also cause several complications in the liver, kidneys, and respiratory tract. The pathogenesis of SJS/TEN is still unclear. Although it is difficult to diagnose early stage SJS/TEN, biomarkers for diagnosis or severity prediction have not been well established. Furthermore, optimal therapeutic options for SJS/TEN are still controversial. Several drugs, such as carbamazepine and allopurinol, are reported to have a strong relationship with a specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type. This relationship differs between different ethnicities. Recently, the usefulness of HLA screening before administering specific drugs to decrease the incidence of SJS/TEN has been investigated. Skin detachment in SJS/TEN skin lesions is caused by extensive epidermal cell death, which has been considered to be apoptosis via the Fas-FasL pathway or perforin/granzyme pathway. We reported that necroptosis, i.e. programmed necrosis, also contributes to epidermal cell death. Annexin A1, released from monocytes, and its interaction with the formyl peptide receptor 1 induce necroptosis. Several diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for SJS/TEN have been reported, such as CCL-27, IL-15, galectin-7, and RIP3. Supportive care is recommended for the treatment of SJS/TEN. However, optimal therapeutic options such as systemic corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, cyclosporine, and TNF-α antagonists are still controversial. Recently, the beneficial effects of cyclosporine and TNF-α antagonists have been explored. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the pathophysiology and management of SJS/TEN.

ImportanceStevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) survivors experience substantial long-term sequelae. Research on physical symptoms experienced during acute hospitalization is well documented, but limited studies have been completed on the long-term biopsychosocial effects of SJS/TEN, particularly from the patient's perspective.ObjectiveTo increase the understanding of the long-term complications of SJS/TEN.Design, setting, and participantsThis qualitative investigation was completed from within a community-based study, the SJS Survivors Study, using a semistructured, in-depth interview guide to query participants about their SJS/TEN experience postdischarge from the hospital. Interviews took place by phone from July 2021 through August 2023. This study included adults who experienced SJS/TEN within the United States.Main outcome and measuresA biopsychosocial theory-based framework and hierarchical coding system were utilized to understand the long-term life impacts of survivors of SJS/TEN.ResultsThe 29 participants, aged 26 to 76 years, were 66% female and 69% White and had experienced SJS/TEN from a wide range of drugs. Patients experienced support while in the hospital, but once discharged, felt isolated and without support to understand the potential sustained impacts of SJS/TEN in their lives and the lives of their family members. Patients experienced ongoing biological symptoms, such as skin issues, debilitating visual impairment, blindness, and lack of functional autonomy. Psychological impacts included symptoms of anxiety, obsessive thinking, flashbacks, and depression. Socially, some survivors expressed a sense of abandonment and described negative impacts on their careers. Survivors also expressed frustration and isolation with having to navigate posthospital care alone. There was a lack of preemptive discharge education and SJS/TEN-specific planning. Lack of physician knowledge about SJS/TEN was particularly noted and survivors turned to the internet for guidance instead of receiving direction from their physicians. Medical distrust among survivors was frequently noted.Conclusions and relevanceThe findings highlight the need for postdischarge care coordination among patients and their primary physicians, including mental health support. This care coordination should be arranged prior to discharge to ensure the availability of adequate support and optimal health outcomes. It is essential that clinicians and researchers prioritize the understanding of long-term sequelae of SJS/TEN and improve current discharge education and protocols for patients and their families.