Apalutamide-related Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Case Report and Review
of Current Literature
Abstract
We reported a 67-year-old male patient with metastatic
castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) who developed toxic
epidermal necrolysis (TEN) after apalutamide endocrine therapy. This
patient was in a life-threatening status characterized by persistent
high fever and a rash that spread throughout the body. The examination
showed he also had liver injury, systemic inflammatory response
syndrome. When the initial glucocorticoid and immunoglobulin treatment
does not show significant efficacy, TNF antagonist-adalimumab was
promptly applied based on the increased serum level of TNF-.
Antibiotics against bacteria and fungi were also positively
administrated when secondary fungal and bacterial infections were showed
up as a result of skin exfoliation. Moreover, nursing intervention of
silver ion gauze add brilliance to this comprehensive medication
strategy. The patient improved significantly after 15 days of treatment,
and his skin gradually returned to normal and remained stable during the
follow-up period of 6 months after discharge. This case underlines
apalutamide can cause TEN. Early use of glucocorticoids and
immunoglobulin, active application of antibiotics and nursing measures
have made great contributions to the effective recovery. However, it is
worth emphasizing that TNF- antagonist-adalimumab application and
comprehensive strategy are the key for the recovery of TEN, which
provides an important therapeutic implication for future treatment of
TEN.