Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-PD-1 receptor antibodies have been shown to be effective in patients with advanced gastric cancer. However, there is a growing concern about immune-related adverse events. A case of a patient with gastric adenocarcinoma who developed toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) induced by sintilimab and subsequently developed lichenoid dermatitis is reported. TEN was diagnosed according to a history of sintilimab use, clinical symptoms and physical examination. During hospitalization, the patient developed recurrent fever caused by bacteremia and recovered from TEN after anti-infection and anti-inflammatory treatments. However, when TEN was controlled, the patient developed the lesional manifestations of lichenoid dermatitis. To date, no cases of lichenoid dermatitis after TEN have been reported following the use of PD-1 inhibitors.
Plain language summary
PD-1 inhibitors are drugs that help fight stomach cancer but can sometimes cause skin problems. Most skin problems are minor and do not have a serious impact on the patient's health. However, life-threatening skin problems such as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) can sometimes happen. This case report describes a patient with stomach cancer who had lichenoid dermatitis (another skin problem) after TEN, following the treatment of his cancer with PD-1 inhibitors. To the best of our knowledge, it is very rare to experience both skin problems after treating cancer with PD-1 inhibitors. This rare phenomenon is reported to bring more attention to it. More research is needed to determine how to treat this problem better.
Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest
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