Case Series of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis With Nivolumab and Nivolumab/ Ipilimumab Combination Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma

Nivolumab (anti PD-1 antibody) and ipilimumab (anti CTLA-4 antibody) are immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) that effectively stimulate the native T cell response and lead to an antitumor response. The medications have been approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. However, ICIs are associated with higher risk for cutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Although most of the adverse events present as maculopapular rash, some patients develop Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis which are dermatologic emergencies with high mortality. We report a fatal case of SJS associated with nivolumab and a non-fatal case of TEN with nivolumab/ipilimumab combination therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma. It is also not unusual to develop SJS or TEN after weeks or months on checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Given the high rate for mortality, dermatologists and other clinicians should closely follow any rash from these immunotherapies due to the risk for future development of SJS or TEN. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(5):529-530. doi:10.36849/JDD.6559.