Survival in Mycosis Fungoides and Sezary Syndrome: How Can We Predict Outcome?

Survival Analysis and Prognostic Factors in a Case Series of 148 Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) such as mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are rare lymphomas with varying prognoses. The aim of the study was to describe the survival of a cohort of patients with MF/SS and evaluate the prognostic factors impacting disease survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All cases of MF/SS diagnosed from 2008 through 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic variables, histological parameters, and analytical data were analyzed too. Progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 148 cases were included. A total of 121 (82%) and 27 cases were diagnosed with MF, and SS, respectively. A total of 37 patients (25%) experienced progression at some point disease progression. The median PFS and median DSS were 127 and 135 months, respectively. Age >60 years, diagnosis of SS, the presence of large cell transformation (LCT) at diagnosis, folliculotropism in early stages, high Ki-67 expression, the presence of the clonal T-cell receptor (TCR) in blood, elevated LDH and B2M levels, and advanced stages (IIB, IVA, T3, T4, N3/Nx) were associated with worse prognosis across the entire cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Stage IVA and the presence of LCT at diagnosis stood out as independent factors of unfavorable prognosis. LCT was the variable that most significantly impacted the patients' survival and was closely associated with tumor skin involvement and stage IIB.

[Translated article] Survival Analysis and Prognostic Factors in a Case Series of 148 Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) such as mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are rare lymphomas with varying prognoses. The aim of the study was to describe the survival of a cohort of patients with MF/SS and evaluate the prognostic factors impacting disease survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All cases of MF/SS diagnosed from 2008 through 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The demographic variables, histological parameters, and analytical data were analyzed too. Progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 148 cases were included. A total of 121 (82%) and 27 cases were diagnosed with MF, and SS, respectively. A total of 37 patients (25%) experienced progression at some point disease progression. The median PFS and median DSS were 127 and 135 months, respectively. Age >60 years, diagnosis of SS, the presence of large cell transformation (LCT) at diagnosis, folliculotropism in early stages, high Ki-67 expression, the presence of the clonal T-cell receptor (TCR) in blood, elevated LDH and B2M levels, and advanced stages (IIB, IVA, T3, T4, N3/Nx) were associated with worse prognosis across the entire cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Stage IVA and the presence of LCT at diagnosis stood out as independent factors of unfavorable prognosis. LCT was the variable that most significantly impacted the patients' survival and was closely associated with tumor skin involvement and stage IIB.

Maintenance therapy for CTCL: importance for prevention of disease progression

There are no established maintenance protocols for cutaneous lymphomas. We aim to determine patient treatments and outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to uncover the most effective maintenance protocols for cutaneous lymphomas and impact of treatment interruption. Data was collected retrospectively from nine international institutions, including 149 patients. Younger patients had earlier stages of disease and were most frequently treated with skin-directed therapies including topical steroids, mechlorethamine gel, and phototherapy. Treatment interruption varied by treatment type and stage, with patients on topical therapies and earlier stages of disease being least likely to experience interruption. Treatment interruption was significantly associated with progression of disease and worse outcomes, with twice as many patients progressing who had interruption compared to those without interruption. This study may demonstrate the significance of continuous maintenance therapies, even in younger patients with early stages of disease.

Mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: clinical presentation, diagnosis, staging, and therapeutic management

Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. MF is the most common cutaneous lymphoma, and it is classified into classic Alibert-Bazin MF, folliculotropic MF, pagetoid reticulosis, and granulomatous slack skin, each with characteristic clinical presentation, histopathological findings, and distinct clinical behaviors. SS is an aggressive leukemic variant of cutaneous lymphoma, and it is characterized by erythroderma, lymphadenopathy, and peripheral blood involvement by malignant cells. There is a wide range of dermatological manifestations of MF/SS, and prompt recognition is essential for early diagnosis. Skin biopsy for histopathology and immunohistochemical analysis is imperative to confirm the diagnosis of MF/SS. Histopathology may also provide information that may influence prognosis and treatment. Staging follows the TNMB system. Besides advanced stage, other factors associated with poorer prognosis are advanced age, male gender, folliculotropism in histopathology of patients with infiltrated plaques and tumors in the head and neck region, large cell transformation, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. Treatment is divided into skin-directed therapies (topical treatments, phototherapy, radiotherapy), and systemic therapies (biological response modifiers, targeted therapies, chemotherapy). Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and extracorporeal photopheresis are other treatment modalities used in selected cases. This review discusses the main clinical characteristics, the histopathological/immunohistochemical findings, the staging system, and the therapeutic management of MF/SS.

Oral involvement of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: A rare entity

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Involvement of MF in the oral cavity is uncommon, often follows cutaneous involvement, and is usually associated with a poor prognosis. Herein, we describe a case of a 72-year-old White male with biopsy-proven oral T-cell lymphoma (TCL) in the setting of MF with systemic disease progression. Mycosis fungoides with oral involvement can often prove challenging to diagnose and manage. Thorough medical history intake and clinical examination supported by histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis are imperative because delay in the diagnosis can lead to disease progression.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor Based Cellular Therapy for Treatment Of T-Cell Malignancies

T-cell malignancies can be divided into precursor (T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma, T-ALL/LBL) and mature T-cell neoplasms, which are comprised of 28 different entities. Most of these malignancies are aggressive with rather poor prognosis. Prognosis of relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease is especially dismal, with an expected survival only several months after progression. Targeted therapies, such as antiCD30 immunotoxin brentuximab vedotin, antiCD38 antibody daratumumab, and anti-CCR4 antibody mogamulizumab are effective only in subsets of patients with T-cell neoplasms. T-cells equipped with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-Ts) are routinely used for treatment of R/R B-cell malignancies, however, there are specific obstacles for their use in T-cell leukemias and lymphomas which are fratricide killing, risk of transfection of malignant cells, and T-cell aplasia. The solution for these problems relies on target antigen selection, CRISPR/Cas9 or TALEN gene editing, posttranslational regulation of CAR-T surface antigen expression, and safety switches. Structural chromosomal changes and global changes in gene expression were observed with gene-edited products. We identified 49 studies of CAR-based therapies registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov. Most of them target CD30 or CD7 antigen. Results are available only for a minority of these studies. In general, clinical responses are above 50% but reported follow-up is very short. Specific toxicities of CAR-based therapies, namely cytokine release syndrome (CRS), seem to be connected with the antigen of interest and source of cells for manufacturing. CRS is more frequent in antiCD7 CAR-T cells than in antiCD30 cells, but it is mild in most patients. More severe CRS was observed after gene-edited allogeneic CAR-T cells. Immune effector cell associated neurotoxicity (ICANS) was mild and infrequent. Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after allogeneic CAR-T cells from previous hematopoietic stem cell donor was also observed. Most frequent toxicities, similarly to antiCD19 CAR-T cells, are cytopenias. CAR-based cellular therapy seems feasible and effective for T-cell malignancies, however, the optimal design of CAR-based products is still unknown and long-term follow-up is needed for evaluation of their true potential.

Characteristics and outcomes of 727 patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome from a Brazilian cohort

BACKGROUND

Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are the most prevalent cutaneous lymphomas. They were not described in a large Brazilian cohort yet. We aimed, with this single-center, retrospective cohort analysis, to describe the characteristics and outcomes of MF/SS in a tertiary public health service in Brazil.

METHODS

MF/SS patients evaluated at the University of São Paulo Medical School between 1989 and 2018 were included. Data were collected at diagnosis. Demographic, clinical, histopathological, immunopathological, molecular, laboratory, and follow-up data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 727 patients, 92.6% (673) were diagnosed with MF, 7.4% (54) with SS. There were 51.2% (372) of males, 48.8% (355) of females. The median age was 51.8 years; it was higher in erythrodermic MF (60.2) and SS (60.9). Among MF, 41.8% (281) had classic MF, 4.9% (33) folliculotropic MF, 1.8% (12) granulomatous slack skin, and 0.3% (2) pagetoid reticulosis. Common subtypes included erythrodermic (14.1%, 95), hypopigmented (10.8%, 73), and poikilodermatous MF (10.8%, 73). Extracutaneous involvement was rare. Five, 10, 20, and 30-year overall survival rates were 97.3%, 92.4%, 82.6%, and 82.6% for early-stage, and 58.6%, 42.7%, 20.8%, and 15.4% for advanced-stage disease, respectively. After multivariate analysis, SS diagnosis, folliculotropic MF, erythrodermic MF, clinical stage, age (≥60 years), increased lactate dehydrogenase, and large cell transformation conferred poorer prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a higher percentage of hypopigmented MF compared to the literature, and demographic (older age) and prognostic (poorer prognosis) similarities between erythrodermic MF and SS, suggesting a possible relationship between these erythrodermic lymphomas. Factors associated with a poorer prognosis were compatible with the literature.

Diagnosis and Management of Cutaneous Lymphomas Including Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

The cutaneous lymphomas are malignancies of T-cell and B-cell lymphocytes in which the skin is the primary organ of involvement. The cutaneous T-cell lymphomas include variants that can mimic the presentation of common skin diseases or arthropod bites. Mycosis fungoides, the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, usually presents as fixed asymptomatic patches or plaques in sun-protected areas. The cutaneous B-cell lymphomas have fewer variants that often present as papules or nodules that can mimic nonmelanoma skin cancers. Some therapies for cutaneous lymphoma have unique side effects such as central hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, and peripheral neuropathy.

Maintenance therapy in patients with mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome: A neglected topic

In advanced-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), the current therapeutic options rarely provide long-lasting responses, leaving allogenic stem-cell transplantation the only potentially curative option for highly selected patients. Until today, there are no standardised strategies for maintenance therapy in patients with CTCL who achieved disease control. Moreover, evidence-based treatment options or drugs that are approved for maintenance treatment in advanced stages after remission induction are still lacking. Patients require maintenance options that provide a good safety profile, are convenient to apply and do not negatively affect their health-related quality of life. However, carrying out large-scale, controlled studies is challenging in CTCL. In addition to information on the concept of maintenance therapy, this review provides an update on current and emerging approaches that target maintenance treatment in advanced-stage CTCL. After all, the group of potentially interesting maintenance therapy candidates, especially for patients in advanced stage, includes not only immunomodulating and phototherapeutic modalities that have been used already for many decades but also newer systemic therapies, including epigenetic modifiers.