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Targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha may effectively control TEN

Treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis with one dose of etanercept helped patients reach complete reepithelialization, indicating that targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha may be an effective control for the syndrome.

As part of a case series study, 10 patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) were treated with 50 mg of etanercept in a single subcutaneous injection. The researchers computed clinical disease severity using the Score of Toxic Epidermal Necrosis (SCORTEN) scale, and then calculated patients’ expected probability of death based on the probabilities of death linked to each SCORTEN score.

All patients responded to treatment promptly, according to the researchers, reaching complete reepithelialization without complications or side effects. Median time to healing was 8.5 days.

Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.