Predictive biomarkers for the progression of ocular complications in chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic Eeidermal necrolysis

This study aimed to clarify predictive biomarkers of mild and severe ocular complications of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) by examining the cytokines in tears. In 121 chronic-phase SJS/TEN eyes, cytokines in tear samples collected using Schirmer test strips were measured, and ocular sequelae severity was evaluated using an Ocular Surface Grading Score (OSGS) involving 7 components (conjunctivalization, neovascularization, opacification, keratinization, symblepharon, and upper/lower conjunctival-sac shortening), with findings categorized into grades 0–3 (maximum total OSGS: 21). Changes in cytokines between the mild and severe groups (mild: total OSGS of 10 or less, severe: total OSGS of 11 or more), and changes between SJS/TEN cases with and without each of the 7 components, were compared. In the severe group, there was significant upregulation of interleukin (IL)-8 (P < 0.01) and Granzyme B (GrzB) (P < 0.05). IL-8 was significantly upregulated in eyes with conjunctivalization, neovascularization, or opacification, GrzB was upregulated in eyes with keratinization, interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) was downregulated in eyes with conjunctivalization or neovascularization, and IL-1α was upregulated in eyes with opacification (all: P < 0.05). IL-8 and IP-10 was involved in conjunctivalization and neovascularization, while GrzB was involved in keratinization. IL-8 and GrzB in tears may reflect SJS/TEN-related ocular sequelae severity.