Evaluation of Angiogenesis in Early Mycosis Fungoides Patients: Dermoscopic and Immunohistochemical Study

Dermoscopy of mycosis fungoides: could it be a confirmatory aid to the clinical diagnosis?

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that is difficult to be differentiated from other dermatological diseases. Dermoscopy is an easy and non-invasive office procedure that is widely used nowadays in the diagnosis of a wide variety of skin diseases. This prospective study aimed to describe and to differentiate the dermoscopic pattern of different stages and to compare the dermoscopic features observed in different clinical types of mycosis fungoides. Dermoscopic examination of different skin lesions was performed by two independent examiners and dermoscopic images of lesions were taken to detect the different morphologic criteria. The diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically and immunohistochemically in all cases. A total of 53 mycosis fungoides patients with different clinical types were evaluated. Mycosis fungoides lesions exhibited a characteristic dermoscopic pattern with the predominance of the linear configuration of blood vessels in the form of fine short linear vessels, spermatozoa-like vessels and thick linear blood vessels rather than dotted vessels. In addition, the geometric white scales were more evident than the lamellar scales with a high prevalence of white structureless patches (67.9%). The linear blood vessels and brownish pigmentary changes in this study could be suggestive of early stage mycosis fungoides. On the other hand, the dotted blood vessels, purpuric dots, white and whitish pink structureless patches, and ulcerations could be suggestive of advanced MF skin lesions. Other findings like geometric white scales and orange-yellowish structureless areas were not specific to differentiate between different MF stages. The study observations indicate that early MF lesions exhibit a characteristic dermoscopic pattern which is different from late MF lesions. Dermoscopy is an easy and rapid tool that could aid in the early diagnosis of mycosis fungoides to improve the outcome in these patients.

Dermatoscopic Characteristics, Lesional Capillaroscopic Features, and Histopathological Correlation of Small Plaque Parapsoriasis and Mycosis Fungoides

INTRODUCTION

Dermatoscopy is a frequently used non-invasive diagnostic procedure.

OBJECTIVES

Considering that mycosis fungoides (MF) mimics parapsoriasis clinically in early stages, we aim to determine the dermatoscopic criteria and the histopathological correlations in patients with MF and small plaque parapsoriasis (SPP).

METHODS

This prospective study involved 28 patients with clinical and histopathological diagnoses of MF and 31 patients with SPP. Videodermoscopy and USB capillaroscope were used to evaluate the patients vessels at ×200 magnification. Vascularity was evaluated through microvascular density (MVD) scoring involving CD34 antibody staining.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients were included in this study. The scores corresponding to the presence of short linear vessels, linear-curved vessels, branching linear vessels, and non- structured orange-colored areas were significantly higher in the MF patients than in the SPP patients (P < 0.05). The highest MVD (P = 0.01) scores were also higher in the MF patients than in the SPP patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The SPP and early-stage MF patients differed in their MVD scores, and the findings correlated with the dermatoscopy and lesional capillaroscopy findings. Differentiating features between SPP and MF were thus identified.

Dermoscopy in the Diagnosis of Mycosis Fungoides: Can it Help?

INTRODUCTION

The diagnosis of mycosis fungoides (MF) is challenging since it can mimic a variety of benign skin conditions. Multiple biopsies for histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination are required to diagnose MF. Dermoscopy is an affordable, non-invasive device with expanding indications in dermatology, OBJECTIVES: To investigate the dermoscopic morphology of MF variants and assess the correlation between dermoscopic criteria, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings, METHODS: We included 88 patients with several MF variants (classic, hypopigmented, hyperpigmented, poikilodermatous, erythrodermic, and folliculotropic). The diagnosis was histopathologically and immunohistochemically confirmed. Dermoscopic findings were collected, statistically analyzed, and correlated with the results of histopathology and immunohistochemistry, RESULTS: All patients had MF diagnosis in H&E-stained sections. The majority revealed positive staining with CD3, 4, 8 and negative CD7. Orange-red areas of discoloration, short linear, and spermatozoa like blood vessels are the most frequent dermoscopic findings, while an analysis per MF variant was also performed. The frequently observed dermoscopic structures in classic MF were patchy whitish scales, dotted, short linear vessels, and spermatozoa-like vessels, CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopy reveals a repetitive dermoscopic pattern in MF (non-homogenous pink to erythematous background, patchy areas of orange discoloration, patchy whitish scales, dotted and short linear blood vessels with some variations according to the clinical variant.

Comparison of vascular endothelial growth factor expression between lesional and non-lesional skin in patients with morphea: a dermoscopy-guided immunohistochemical study

Morphea is an inflammatory fibrosing disease, initiated by vascular injury resulting in increased collagen formation and decreased collagen degradation. This study was designed to evaluate the role of angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the vascular changes which are dermoscopically evident in morphea lesions, compared with that in non-lesional skin, by assessing its expression immunohistochemically on tissue blood vessels. Twenty patients with morphea were subjected to clinical and dermoscopic examinations. Two skin biopsies from lesional and non-lesional skin were obtained and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemically with VEGF. Dermoscopic examination showed linear blood vessels in 90% of the lesions. No significant difference in the number of VEGF-stained and unstained blood vessels, was observed between the lesional and non-lesional skin (p = 0.475 and 0.191, respectively). A weak inverse correlation was found between the total number of blood vessels positive for VEGF and the disease duration, (r =  - 0.48; p = 0.032). Significant differences were found between different stages of morphea and total number of blood vessels negative for VEGF, (p = 0.017). In conclusion, VEGF immunostaining, which represents the newly formed blood vessels, showed no difference between lesional and non-lesional skin in patients with morphea. Thus, the dermoscopically observable blood vessels in lesions compared with non-lesional skin are not due to angiogenesis, but rather due to the thinning and atrophy of the overlying epidermis in morphea cases, rendering the blood vessels more obvious.

Pigmented purpuric dermatoses versus purpuric mycosis fungoides: Clinicopathologic similarities and new insights into dermoscopic features

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of purpuric mycosis fungoides (PMF) is often challenging to be clinically differentiated from inflammatory diseases such as pigmented purpuric dermatosis (PPD). Dermoscopy as a non-invasive method can be employed for the visualisation of features invisible to the naked eye.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to survey the dermoscopic findings of PMF in comparison with PPD.

METHODS

Forty-one patients with an established diagnosis of PMF (n = 28) and PPD (n = 13) were prospectively recruited. Dermoscopic images were taken by FotoFinder Medicam 1000 (FotoFinder Systems GmbH, Bad Birnbach, Germany).

RESULTS

Characteristic dermoscopic patterns consisting of fine short linear vessels (35.7%, P = 0.017) and spermatozoa-like structures (50%, P = 0.014) were found to be significantly more common in PMF lesions, while PPD lesions were typified by erythematous globules (76.9%, P = 0.01), in the background colour of dull red (61.5%, P = 0.01) and reticular pigmentation (61.5%, P = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the usefulness of dermoscopy for the diagnosis of PMF and PPD cases. Studies with long-term follow-up are needed to affirm the value of these dermoscopic patterns in the differentiation between the two entities.

Dermatoscopy of nodular/plaque-type primary cutaneous T- and B-cell lymphomas: A retrospective comparative study with pseudolymphomas and tumoral/inflammatory mimickers by the International Dermoscopy Society

BACKGROUND

Limited data on dermatoscopy of nodular/plaque-type T-/B-cell primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs) is available.

OBJECTIVE

To describe dermatoscopic features of nodular/plaque-type PCLs, comparing them with those of clinical mimickers (pseudolymphomas, tumors, and inflammatory lesions) and investigating possible differences according to histologic subtypes.

METHODS

Participants were invited to join this retrospective, multicenter case-control study by submitting histologically/immunohistochemically confirmed instances of nodular/plaque-type PCLs and controls. Standardized assessments of the dermatoscopic images and comparative analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 261 lesions were included (121 PCLs and 140 controls). Orange structureless areas were the strongest PCL dermatoscopic predictor on multivariate analysis compared with tumors and noninfiltrative inflammatory dermatoses. On the other hand, a positive association was found between PCLs and either unfocused linear vessels with branches or focal white structureless areas compared with infiltrative inflammatory dermatoses, whereas white lines were predictive of PCLs over pseudolymphomas. Differences in the vascular pattern were also seen between B- and T-cell PCLs and among B-cell PCL subtypes.

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective design and the lack of a dermatoscopic-pathologic correlation analysis.

CONCLUSION

Nodular/plaque-type PCLs display dermatoscopic clues, which may partially vary according to histologic subtype and whose diagnostic relevance depends on the considered clinical differential diagnoses.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in erythrodermic cases may be suspected on the basis of scalp examination with dermoscopy

Erythrodermic variants of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTLC) are one of the case of erythroderma. The aim of the study was to assess the value of scalp dermoscopy in differentiation between erythrodermic CTCL, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. A total of 76 patients were included into the study (16 patients with erythrodermic CTCL, 20 patients with psoriatic erythroderma, 20 with erythrodermic atopic dermatitis, and 20 healthy volunteers). The most common trichoscopic features of erythrodermic CTCL were: numerous pili torti, numerous broken hairs, white thick interfollicular bands, and patchy hyperpigmentation of the background. They were observed in 81% (13/16), 75% (12/16), 56% (9/16), and 37.5% (6/16) of patients with CTCL, respectively (p < 0.001). Other specific features of erythrodermic CTCL were 8-shaped hairs (19%; 3/16) and visible anagen bulbs (12.5%; 2/16) (p < 0.05 and p = 0.052, respectively). The most common vascular pattern of erythrodermic CTCL was perifollicular arrangement of glomerular (50%; 8/16; p < 0.001) or linear vessels (31%; 5/16; p < 0.05). Follicular spicules-like scaling was pathognomonic for erythrodermic CTCL (12%, 2/16) although its presence did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.052). In conclusion, the characteristic trichoscopic findings of erythrodermic CTCL are numerous pili torti, eight-shaped hairs, thick white interfollicular bands, color heterogeneity of the background and perifollicular arrangement of vessels.

Morphologic Features of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas Using Dermoscopy and High Frequency Ultrasound

The diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) is frequently delayed by a median of three years and requires the clinical evaluation of an experienced dermatologist and a confirmatory skin biopsy. Dermoscopy and high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) represent two non-invasive diagnostic tools. While dermoscopy is inexpensive and widely used for the diagnosis of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, HFUS of skin lymphomas represents a novel diagnostic approach that is not yet implemented in the routine dermatologic practice. The aim of our study was to prospectively assess skin lesions of patients with either CTCL patches or plaques with dermoscopy and HFUS and to compare the findings with atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. Thirteen patients with an established diagnosis of CTCL, psoriasis, or AD were studied: Dermoscopy features including spermatozoa-like structures and the presence of white scales could assist in differentiating between early-stage CTCL and AD. HFUS measurements of the skin thickness indicated increased epidermal-, thickness in CTCL, and psoriasis compared with AD. Our results support the use of dermoscopy as a useful tool to diagnose CTCL. HFUS could augment the dermatologic assessment, but further studies will be needed to define standardized parameters.

Ki67 and CD31 Differential Expression in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma and Its Mimickers: Association with Clinicopathological Criteria and Disease Advancement

BACKGROUND

Cell proliferation and angiogenesis are important in progression of cancerous processes. Differentiating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) from its mimicking dermatoses and prognosticating it are challenging.

AIM

This study assesses cell proliferation and angiogenesis in different CTCL subtypes using immunohistochemistry (IHC) for Ki67 and CD31 to testify their usability in differentiating CTCL from mimicking dermatoses and discriminating CTCL subtypes from each other with correlation to clinicopathological parameters and disease advancement.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

IHC for Ki67 and CD31 were applied to skin biopsies from 81 patients divided into CTCL (n=59) and dermatoses (n=22) groups. Hot-spot analysis was used to score Ki67 and CD31 microvascular density (MVD) semiquantitatively. Statistical analysis was performed to compare Ki67 index and MVD between CTCL and dermatoses. CTCL subgroups were compared to each other. Ki67 index and CD31 were compared to age, gender, skin and nodal involvement, blood tumor burden and TNMB stage.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

There were significant differences in proliferation index and MVD between dermatoses and CTCL, and between dermatoses and all CTCL subtypes with exception of Ki67 in early mycosis fungoides (MF) and CD31 in patch lesions. Increased cell proliferation and MVD were significantly associated with older age, T3 and 4 skin involvement, significant nodes (N1-3), positive blood tumor burden (B1,2) in CTCL and TNMB stage of MF. Both markers differentiated significantly late from early MF, classic MF from its variants and non-MF CTCL from total MF, but not from late MF. In conclusion, Ki67 and CD31 expression in skin biopsies using IHC reproduces the role of proliferation and angiogenesis in the differential diagnosis and prognostication of CTCL being expressed at higher levels in aggressive than indolent CTCL. Therapeutic targeting of cell proliferation and angiogenesis may improve patient's outcome in CTCL. Usability of these markers into patient's stratification should be considered in further studies.

Dermoscopy in differential diagnosis of inflammatory dermatoses and mycosis fungoides

BACKGROUND

The use of dermoscopy for the evaluation of various inflammatory dermatoses has witnessed a gradual increase in recent years. The present study describes and highlights the importance of dermoscopic findings in the differential diagnosis of plaque psoriasis (PP), lichen planus (LP), mycosis fungoides (MF), pityriasis rosea (PR), and nummular dermatitis (ND) that mostly involve the trunk.

METHODS

The study included 150 cases (PP:50, LP:30, MF:20, PR:30, ND:20). The lesions were inspected using a polarized dermoscope. The dermoscopic findings of each lesion were evaluated for background color, type, and distribution of vessels, color and distribution of scales, and other additional findings.

RESULTS

When the patient groups were evaluated for background color, yellow color was prominent in PR, and light and dull red color was prominent in other groups. Dotted vessels were prominent in PP, PR, and ND, and dotted + linear vessels were significantly more prominent in MF and LP. In the evaluation of the distribution pattern of vessels, PP showed regular, LP showed peripheral, and PR, MF, and ND showed patchy distribution patterns. White scales were prominent in PP, PR, and MF, and yellow-white scales were prominent in LP and ND. Only PR had a predominant peripheral distribution of scales, while other groups had a patchy distribution.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, it was observed that PP, LP, MF, PR, and ND exhibited specific dermoscopic patterns that might be useful in clinical diagnosis.

Dermoscopy of stage llA mycosis fungoides

OBJECTIVE:

Differential diagnosis of mycosis fungoides (MF) in the early stages can be challenging. Dermoscopy has been reported to be useful in the evaluation of early MF. However, to our knowledge, there is no study that specifies these early stages as stage IA, IB or IIA. The present study aims to evaluate the dermoscopic findings of stage IIA MF in comparison with plaque psoriasis (PP).

METHODS:

Thirty-four patients aged between 16-70 years with stage IIA MF (n=17) and PP (n=17) were evaluated in this prospective study. Dermoscopic examinations were performed by manual dermatoscopy (Dermlite DL4). χ² test was used.

RESULTS:

In patients with stage IIA MF, orange-yellow patches (88.2%), short, fine and linear vessels (82.3%), geometric white scales (70.5%), perifollicular white scales (47%) and white patches (35.2%) were common, while dotted vessels (94.1%), diffuse lamellar white scales (88.2%) and dotted and globular vessels (70.5%) were common in patients with PP. Although spermatozoa-like structures, purpuric dots, collarette white scales and Y-shaped arborizing vessels were common in patients with MF, this was not statistically significant. Geometric white scales (clinically; cigarette paper-like wrinkly scales) correlated with alternating parakeratosis and orthokeratosis in the stratum corneum histopathologically.

CONCLUSION:

A unique aspect of our study is that this study provides insights about the importance of scales in differentiating MF from PP. Orange-yellow and white patches, short, fine and linear vessels, geometric and perifollicular white scales may be useful in distinguishing stage IIA MF from PP by hand-held dermoscopy.

Efficacy of doxycycline in the treatment of early stages of mycosis fungoides: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Mycosis fungoides is the most common type of primary cutaneous T cell lymphomas. Doxycycline promoted apoptosis in different human malignant cell lines and in vivo models.

OBJECTIVES

To test for the therapeutic efficacy of doxycycline in comparison to PUVA in early stages of classic MF and its effect on T cell apoptosis.

METHODS

Thirty-six patients were randomized into either: doxycycline 200 mg daily (n = 18) or PUVA (3 weekly sessions) (n = 18) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome (therapeutic efficacy) was defined in terms of objective response rate (ORR) which was measured according to changes in the modified severity weighted assessment tool (mSWAT).

RESULTS

Doxycycline achieved significantly less ORR (partial response) in comparison to PUVA (11.1%, 50%, respectively, p = .016). The percent reduction in mSWAT, CAILS, histopathology score and CD3 expression was significantly less in the doxycycline group (p = .001, p = .001, p ˂ .001, and p = .004, respectively). Within the doxycycline group, changes in mSWAT and CAILS showed no correlation with changes in the CD3 or Bcl-2 expression. Gastric upset was significantly more encountered in the doxycycline group (p = .001).

CONCLUSION

Doxycycline is not suitable as a sole agent in the treatment of early stages of classic MF, acting mainly by anti-inflammatory rather apoptotic function.

REGISTER NUMBER

NCT03454945 (www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Angiogenesis in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma - proteomic approaches

Neoangiogenesis plays an important role in cutaneous lymphoma pathogenesis. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is characterized by the presence of malignant T-cell clones in the skin. Vascular microenvironment of lymphomas accelerates neoangiogenesis through several factors released by tumoral cells: VEGF family, bFGF and PIGF. Tumor stroma (fibroblasts, inflammatory and immune cells) also plays a crucial role, by providing additional angiogenic factors. The angiogenic process through the VEGF-VEGFR axis can promote survival, proliferation and metastasis via autocrine mechanisms in cutaneous lymphomas. Microvascular density (MVD) measures the neo-vascularization of cutaneous lymphoma, generated by the response of tumor cells, proangiogenic stromal cells, and benign T/B lymphocytes within the tumor inflammatory infiltrate. Pro-angiogenic proteins have been found to indicate the evolution and prognosis in patients with CTCL. In conclusion, anti-angiogenic therapeutic protocols can target tumor vasculature or malignant tumor cells directly or through a large number of combinations with other drugs. The integration of proteomics into clinical practice based on high-throughput technologies leads to the development of personalized medicine, adapting the specific biomarkers to the application of cancer-type specific individual drug targets.

Dermoscopy of Lymphomas and Pseudolymphomas

Primary cutaneous lymphomas are a heterogeneous group that includes 2 main groups of primary T- and B-cell lymphomas, which can involve the skin with distinct variability in clinical presentation, histopathology, immunophenotypes, molecular signature, and prognosis. The authors describe the most frequent clinical forms of cutaneous lymphomas and their dermoscopic features. Even if the diagnosis of these entities is still based on a cellular level and the literature on dermoscopy in cutaneous lymphomas is limited and, for several entities it is based only on single case reports/case series, we think that know how they appear also in dermoscopy can be useful for helping in the clinical diagnosis.

Alternative uses of dermoscopy in daily clinical practice: An update

Dermoscopy is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that is currently being used for neoplastic skin lesions, several inflammatory and infectious diseases, and skin appendage disorders. As the clinical applications of dermoscopy beyond pigmented lesions are constantly increasing, the aim of this article is to provide an update on this topic. This comprehensive review substantiates how several diseases may show peculiar dermoscopy features so as to enhance the diagnosis and avoid (in selected cases) unnecessary histologic confirmation. In other cases, dermoscopy features may be shared with other conditions, with the advantage of narrowing down the differential diagnosis by ruling out those dermatoses with similar clinical aspect but different dermoscopic presentation.

Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by monoclonal proliferations of T lymphocytes primarily involving skin, modified skin appendages, and some mucosal sites. This article addresses the basic clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of this group of diseases, with additional attention to evolving literature on dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and molecular data that may increasingly be applied to diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms in these diseases. Select unusual phenotypes or diagnostic examples of classic phenotypes are demonstrated, and flags for consideration while making a pathologic diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma are suggested.

Dermoscopy and the diagnosis of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (PCBCLs) are frequently misdiagnosed, and a biopsy is needed to attain the correct diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the dermoscopic features of PCBCL.

METHODS

In this retrospective observational study, we analysed the pathology reports of 172 newly diagnosed PCBCL for the initial clinical differential diagnosis. The dermoscopic images of 58 PCBCL were evaluated for dermoscopic features. Two dermoscopy experts, who were blinded to the diagnosis and the study objective, evaluated images from 17 cases for a dermoscopic differential diagnosis.

RESULTS

Of 172 biopsy-proven PCBCL lesions, cutaneous lymphoma was suspected by the clinician in 16.3%; the leading diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma in 17.4%, and other skin neoplasms in 21%. Studying 58 PCBCL dermoscopic images, we most frequently identified salmon-coloured background/area (79.3%) and prominent blood vessels (77.6%), mostly of serpentine (linear-irregular) morphology (67.2%). Dermoscopic features did not differ significantly by subtype or location. Blinded evaluation by dermoscopy experts raised a wide differential diagnosis including PCBCL, arthropod bite, basal cell carcinoma, amelanotic melanoma and scar/keloid.

CONCLUSIONS

Two dermoscopic features, salmon-coloured area/background and serpentine vessels, are frequently seen in PCBCL lesions. These characteristic dermoscopic features, although not specific, can suggest a possible diagnosis of PCBCL.