NATIENS: Optimal Management and Mechanisms of SJS/TEN

The scientific rationale for this study is the lack of evidence-based treatment for SJS/TEN. The study will aim to establish the most clinically effective therapy for SJS/TEN, as there is currently no level 1A evidence for any treatment above aggressive supportive care which still has equipoise as the standard of care. A multi-centered, two-arm allocated 1:1, double-blind randomized controlled trial with a planned enrollment of 150 patients over 4 years will be undertaken to evaluate which of supportive care or etanercept leads to the shortest time to complete reepithelialization which is the primary outcome. The controlled setting of the clinical trial provides the basis for which samples can be sequentially collected to answer important mechanistic questions. Samples collected during the study will include DNA, PBMC, RNA, plasma, serum, blister fluid cells and supernatant, sloughed epidermis and punch biopsies of skin. Samples will be bio-banked to do immediate targeted high-resolution HLA sequencing, cytokine profiling and single cell multidimensional analyses to identify biological markers that have the potential to predict risk and outcome of SJS/TEN. A population pharmacokinetic study to assess the disposition of etanercept will be done by collecting five samples over the course of the study. Samples will be biobanked for later analysis for other transcriptomic, proteomic whole genome studies. These mechanistic studies will allow us to gain important insights into the immunopathogenesis of SJS/TEN. Our study will be the first to examine in a blinded randomized controlled design both management and mechanisms of SJS/TEN. We anticipate that this will lead to new ways to prevent, diagnosis and treat SJS/TEN, and will create a roadmap and evidence-base for studies in serious immunologically mediated adverse drug reactions and other immunologically mediated diseases.

This protocol represents the only appropriately powered randomized, double-blind mechanistic clinical trial examining therapeutic interventions for SJS/TEN. It will address several significant gaps in knowledge. From a management perspective, it will provide the highest level of supportive care and prove or refute the benefits of etanercept that is a promising therapy for SJS/TEN. The NATIENS trial will also define the standard for systematically assessing the benefit of a systemic intervention for SJS/TEN in prospective studies. We also hope to identify key biomarkers as well as immunologic and genetic determinants for risk, rapid diagnosis, baseline pathophysiology, and mechanisms of response to therapy. The population pharmacokinetics of etanercept will be established for the first time in this critically ill population to improve future dosing strategies and make recommendations. Finally, the protocols and procedures related to patient care will establish a standard for harmonization of care for these patients to provide the best outcomes possible. The study is likely to result in paradigm shifting knowledge regarding SJS/TEN treatment, diagnosis, prevention, and pathogenesis that will lead to improved care for future SJS/TEN patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Age >18 years
• Subject and/or legally authorized representative must be able to understand and provide informed consent.
• Erythematous to dusky macules that show evidence of coalescing and/or denuding skin or blistering in a predominantly truncal distribution (Nikolsky sign = sloughing with direct lateral pressure on non-blistered but involved skin should be considered as a supportive feature
• At least two of the following:

• Mucous membrane involvement
• Prodromal symptoms including fever, myalgia, and headache
• Evidence of disease progression with an increasing number of skin lesions
• History of a newly used medication within the last 2 months that has not been tolerated for longer than 12 weeks in the past
• Females of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test prior to randomization.

Exclusion criteria

• Subject or legally authorized representative is not willing to provide informed consent.
• A serious drug reaction or possible alternative dermatologic diagnosis at the time of initial evaluation not in keeping with drug-induced SJS/TEN (e.g. graft versus host disease).
• If greater than 5 days has elapsed from onset of initial cutaneous or mucosal signs of the disease as obtained by patient history or documentation.
• Patients who have received etanercept in the last 6 months.
• Patients who in time since onset of SJS/TEN illness have received intravenous immune globulin (IVIg) or > 2 doses of pulsed corticosteroid (defined by > 250 mg prednisone equivalent) prior to enrollment in the study.
• End-stage liver disease (Child Pugh A, B or C or severe liver dysfunction).
• Grade 2 or higher liver dysfunction (alanine aminotransferase >3 fold or bilirubin >3 fold the upper limit of normal).
• Any organ transplant.
• Pre-existing Class III/IV Heart Failure (New York Heart Association Functional Classification).
• Multiple Sclerosis or other demyelinating diseases.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Current or past history of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for cancer.
• Absolute need for a drug that interacts with cyclosporine without an appropriate substitution.
• History of other immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapy that could significant impact treatment or interpretation of response to treatment (i.e. azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, mycophenolate sodium, rituximab, JAK inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, IL-23 inhibitors, other TNF alpha antagonists (see MOP).
• Use of surgical debridement and/or xenograft.
• Known positive SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR within 10 days prior to screening or within 5 days of admission or symptomatic COVID-19 infection at screening. Symptomatic patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR or comparable assay beyond 10 days must be evaluated by the Independent Protocol Monitor.
• Clinical or radiographic evidence of active tuberculosis or endemic mycoses.
• History or evidence of any other clinically significant medical or psychiatric disorder, condition or disease that in the opinion of the treating physician would pose a risk or interfere with evaluation or completion of the study such as known sepsis/systemic infection requiring antibiotic therapy.
• Known hypersensitivity to Enbrel® (etanercept).
• Receipt of a live attenuated vaccine within 30 days of enrollment.