Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Review of Current Management and Innovative Therapies

There is no consensus regarding the treatment of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Supportive care remains the preferred approach internationally, while the efficacy of topical/systemic therapies is subject to controversy. We reviewed published guidelines and recommendations on SJS/TEN management and assessed supportive care involving topical and systemic therapies in a series of SJS patients. We included several specialty departments from different countries to determine the consensus in the management of SJS/TEN. We also included SJS patients and provided supportive care including silver nitrate at 0.5% sprayed on denuded areas, in conjunction with a single dose of subcutaneous etanercept. Based on our literature review and experience, we propose a management algorithm for SJS/TEN. Our review confirmed the importance of supportive care, including specific topical and systemic treatments, for SJS/TEN. Systemic corticotherapy, cyclosporine A, intravenous immunoglobulin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blockers, or combinations are subject to controversies. In our pilot series of seven adult patients with SJS, we obtained good clinical results within 1 week, with mucosal and skin clearance at Week 2, along with a good safety profile. This was achieved by spraying topical silver nitrate at a concentration of 0.5% on denuded areas, following a single dose of etanercept. This consensus led to the recommendation of a combination of supportive care along with several possible topical and systemic therapies for SJS/TEN. Corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, cyclosporine A, and TNF-alpha blockers were used in our centers alone or in combination, with good results associated with 0.5% topical silver nitrate. In our series of SJS patients, silver nitrate at 0.5% associated with etanercept showed a good response.