Optimizing Clinical Application of Lymphocyte Activation Tests for the Detection of Causative Medications in severe cutaneous Adverse Reactions
Principal Investigator:
Reid Oldenburg, MD, PhD
University of California, San Diego
Overview:
Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are catastrophic drug reactions that destroy the skin, surface of the eyes and lining of the mouth and genitals. Antibiotics, ibuprofen and anti-seizures medications can cause SJS and TEN. When these severe cutaneous adverse reactions occur, the causative medication must be stopped immediately. However, identifying a causative medication can be difficult, especially when children are taking multiple medications.
There is no available blood test that can identify drugs that cause SJS and TEN, making it difficult for doctors to continue prescribing important medications, or use similar medications. Our long term interest is to develop diagnostic blood tests that can safely be used to identify causative medications for SJS and TEN patients. Our current project will stimulate blood from SJS and TEN patients with known causative medications to identify inflammatory molecules that can be later be used to develop diagnostic tests.
Status:
This project was funded through a 2020 PeDRA Research Grant and has resulted in one publication titled, Dual dysregulation of TNF/interferon signaling and classical monocytes are implicated in Reactive Infectious Mucocutaneous Eruptions, published in JCI Insight in 2025.
