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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
07:22
A Standardized Procedure of Dressing Management for Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Published on: March 14, 2025
Toxic epidermal necrolysis successfully treated with etanercept
Emanuela Gubinelli1, Flora Canzona, Tiziano Tonanzi
1Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IRCCS Foundation, Rome, Italy. e.gubinelli@idi.it
The Journal of Dermatology
|April 2, 2009
Summary
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe drug reaction causing skin detachment. Etanercept treatment halted epidermal detachment within 48 hours, leading to complete healing in a rare case of phenobarbital-induced TEN.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, severe adverse drug reaction.
- It involves massive apoptosis and widespread epidermal and mucosal detachment.
- No definitive gold standard therapy exists for TEN.
Observation:
- A case of phenobarbital-induced TEN in a 59-year-old woman is presented.
- Etanercept treatment was initiated for the patient.
- Epidermal detachment ceased 48 hours after starting etanercept.
Findings:
- Complete healing of TEN occurred within 20 days of etanercept treatment.
- This is the second reported case of successful TEN treatment with etanercept.
- Etanercept demonstrates potential efficacy in managing severe drug reactions like TEN.
Implications:
- Etanercept may be a viable therapeutic option for drug-induced TEN.
- Further research is warranted to confirm etanercept's role in TEN management.
- This finding contributes to understanding treatment strategies for severe cutaneous adverse reactions.
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