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case where RT appears to have had a protective role. We hypothesize that RT may afford protection by inactivation of CTLs, key players in the aetiology of TEN. Interestingly, while the head, neck and thorax regions are usually most prone to radiation damage, 8 in our case this was the only site that was unaffected. Furthermore, a recent study found that black people receiving RT experienced more severe adverse cutaneous reactions compared with their white-skinned counterparts, 9 which is not apparent in this case.The pharmacogenetic profile of the SJS ⁄TEN spectrum of disorders is both interesting and evolving. The disease appears to be ethnically and drug restricted, with some studies showing associations between HLA-B*1502 allele and carbamazepine-induced SJS in Han Chinese subjects. 10 We therefore speculate that RT may have the opposite effect in different individuals of varying ethnicities. While much more is known about this condition today, more work needs to be done in developing specific targeted therapy in the hope of preventing the consequences of this rare, devastating condition. 10 Man CB, Kwan P, Baum L et al. Association between HLA-B*1502 allele and antiepileptic drug-induced cutaneous reactions in Han Chinese. Epilepsia 2007; 48:1015-18.