Response to thalidomide in chemotherapy-resistant cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

What's New in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma-Associated Pruritus

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are a heterogenous group of lymphomas that cause various skin manifestations. Severe pruritus occurs frequently in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and negatively impacts patients' quality of life. The pathophysiology of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma-associated itch is complex and involves various immune cells, inflammatory cytokines, and neuroimmune interactions. Treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma pruritus can be challenging, and there have been few randomized controlled studies evaluating the use of antipruritic treatments in these patients. Systemic therapies targeting the disease have also been shown to have some antipruritic effects. Furthermore, although biologic therapy has revolutionized the treatment of other pruritic skin conditions, the use of biologics in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma remains controversial.

Reshaping the tumor microenvironment: The versatility of immunomodulatory drugs in B-cell neoplasms

Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) such as thalidomide, lenalidomide and pomalidomide are antitumor compounds that have direct tumoricidal activity and indirect effects mediated by multiple types of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). IMiDs have shown remarkable therapeutic efficacy in a set of B-cell neoplasms including multiple myeloma, B-cell lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. More recently, the advent of immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of these B-cell neoplasms. However, the success of immunotherapy is restrained by immunosuppressive signals and dysfunctional immune cells in the TME. Due to the pleiotropic immunobiological properties, IMiDs have shown to generate synergetic effects in preclinical models when combined with monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors or CAR-T cell therapy, some of which were successfully translated to the clinic and lead to improved responses for both first-line and relapsed/refractory settings. Mechanistically, despite cereblon (CRBN), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is considered as considered as the major molecular target responsible for the antineoplastic activities of IMiDs, the exact mechanisms of action for IMiDs-based TME re-education remain largely unknown. This review presents an overview of IMiDs in regulation of immune cell function and their utilization in potentiating efficacy of immunotherapies across multiple types of B-cell neoplasms.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma complicated by immunoglobulin A pemphigus: A case report and literature review

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) account for 12% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs). Immunoglobulin (Ig) A pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by tissue-bound and circulating IgA antibodies that target epidermal cell surface components. Malignant lymphomas are often linked with autoimmune disease and the autoimmune blistering disease, paraneoplastic pemphigus, has been associated with NHL. However, cases of PTCLs that are complicated by IgA pemphigus are particularly rare. The current study presents the first known case of PTCL complicated by IgA pemphigus. A 43-year-old male was admitted to the Union Hospital (Wuhan, China) in March 2012 with multiple swollen lymph nodes. Pathology examinations revealed PTCL. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for cluster of differentiation (CD)2, CD3, CD5, CD7 and CD47, and negative for CD20. Ki-67 was ~40% positive. The patient was treated with four cycles of cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, vincristine and prednisone, and two cycles of gemcitabine, cisplatin and dexamethasone; in addition, the patient received radiation of the retroperitoneal region (total dose, 36 Gy). The patient underwent thalidomide maintenance therapy for 20 days before flaccid blisters appeared on the trunk and limbs. Histopathology and immunofluorescence indicated IgA pemphigus, and intravenous methylprednisolone was administered, followed by treatment with prednisone. Subsequently, no evidence of recurrent lymphoma or pemphigus has been observed.

Granulomatous slack skin presenting as acquired ichthyosis and muscle masses

We describe a case of granulomatous slack skin in a 31-year-old woman with an unusual presentation of acquired ichthyosis and muscular masses involving four limbs over 3 years. Vesicles and ulcerative skin nodules first appeared only 3 months prior to diagnosis. The diagnosis was confirmed after sequential biopsies of muscle, skin lesions, and lymph nodes, together with molecular genetic studies. The patient responded poorly to various therapies, including thalidomide, and died of doxorubicin-related cardiomyopathy.