Local radiation and phototherapy are the most cost-effective treatments for stage IA mycosis fungoides: A comparative decision analysis model in the United States

EORTC consensus recommendations for the treatment of mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome - Update 2023

On behalf of the EORTC Cutaneous Lymphoma Tumours Group (EORTC-CLTG) and following up on earlier versions published in 2006 and 2017 this document provides an updated standard for the treatment of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome (MF/SS). It considers recent relevant publications and treatment options introduced into clinical practice after 2017. Consensus was established among the authors through a series of consecutive consultations in writing and a round of discussion. Treatment options are assigned to each disease stage and, whenever possible and clinically useful, separated into first- and second line options annotated with levels of evidence. Major changes to the previous version include the incorporation of chlormethine, brentuximab vedotin, and mogamulizumab, recommendations on the use of pegylated interferon α (after withdrawal of recombinant unpegylated interferons), and the addition of paragraphs on supportive therapy and on the care of older patients. Still, skin-directed therapies are the most appropriate option for early-stage MF and most patients have a normal life expectancy but may suffer morbidity and impaired quality of life. In advanced disease treatment options have expanded recently. Most patients receive multiple consecutive therapies with treatments often having a relatively short duration of response. For those patients prognosis is still poor and only for a highly selected subset long term remission can be achieved with allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Understanding of the disease, its epidemiology and clinical course, and its most appropriate management are gradually advancing, and there is well-founded hope that this will lead to further improvements in the care of patients with MF/SS.

Topical treatments for early-stage mycosis fungoides using Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria: A systematic review

Background

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a cutaneous lymphoma; most patients present with early, skin-limited disease and are managed by dermatologists.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to systematically review and assess the evidence on topical treatments for early-stage (IA, IB, IIA) MF.

Methods

We performed a literature search via MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria were used to assess the certainty of the data.

Results

Two searches yielded 1252 references; 26 met the inclusion criteria and included literature on nitrogen mustard, retinoids, corticosteroids, carmustine, fluorouracil, methotrexate-laurocapram, hexadecylphosphocholine, peldesine, ingenol mebutate, topical methotrexate with oxygen flow-assisted LP3 carrier, and resiquimod. Most studies were single intervention, observational series. Nitrogen mustard, with the most published reports, was effective with 12%-82% early-stage MF patients (total n > 1000) achieving complete remission (CR) (low certainty evidence). Clinical CR was achieved among 10%-60% treated with topical retinoids (low certainty evidence). Two moderate-sized retrospective case series on topical steroids had 18%-63% CR (low certainty evidence). Only single studies were available for the other therapies.

Conclusions

For most outcomes of interest, the GRADE certainty for topical therapies for early-stage MF was low. Further randomized controlled trials and inclusion of quality of life indicators are needed.

Developing an Institute for Health Care Delivery Science: successes, challenges, and solutions in the first five years

Medical knowledge is increasing at an exponential rate. At the same time, unexplained variations in practice and patient outcomes and unacceptable rates of medical errors and inefficiencies in health care delivery have emerged. Our Institute for Health Care Delivery Science (I-HDS) began in 2014 as a novel platform to conduct multidisciplinary healthcare delivery research. We followed ten strategies to develop a successful institute with excellence in methodology and strong understanding of the value of team science. Our work was organized around five hubs: 1) Quality/Process Improvement and Systematic Review, 2) Comparative Effectiveness Research, Pragmatic Clinical Trials, and Predictive Analytics, 3) Health Economics and Decision Modeling, 4) Qualitative, Survey, and Mixed Methods, and 5) Training and Mentoring. In the first 5 years of the I-HDS, we have identified opportunities for change in clinical practice through research using our health system's electronic health record (EHR) data, and designed programs to educate clinicians in the value of research to improve patient care and recognize efficiencies in processes. Testing the value of several model interventions has guided prioritization of evidence-based quality improvements. Some of the changes in practice have already been embedded in the EHR workflow successfully. Development and sustainability of the I-HDS has been fostered by a mix of internal and external funding, including philanthropic foundations. Challenges remain due to the highly competitive funding environment and changes needed to adapt the EHR to healthcare delivery research. Further stakeholder engagement and culture change working with hospital leadership and I-HDS core and affiliate members continues.

Phototherapy for Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Phototherapy with psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) or narrowband-UVB (NBUVB) is frequently used for the patch and plaque stages of mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This article provides practical guidelines for the design and implementation of a phototherapy protocol for early stage MF, including an overview of treatment phases, response criteria, and considerations in the selection of a light source. Several evolving topics in phototherapy research are also discussed, including the relative efficacy of PUVA versus NBUVB, the role of maintenance therapy, risk of photocarcinogenicity, and combination therapies.