Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris: An Updated Review of Clinical Presentation, Etiopathogenesis, and Treatment Options

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare papulosquamous reaction pattern with a significant impact on quality of life. Type I PRP is the most common PRP variant, presenting as erythematous papules emerging in a follicular distribution and later coalescing into plaques with characteristic islands of sparing; histologically, an alternating pattern of orthokeratosis and parakeratosis is considered the hallmark of PRP (checkerboard hyperkeratosis). Other PRP variants (types II-V) differ in their age of onset and clinical presentation. Type VI PRP is a rare PRP subtype associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection and is occasionally associated with diseases of the follicular occlusion tetrad. Caspase recruitment domain family, member 14 (CARD14)-associated papulosquamous eruption and facial discoid dermatitis are newly described disease states that have an important clinical overlap with PRP, creating shared conundrums with respect to diagnosis and treatment. The etiology inciting PRP often remains uncertain; PRP has been suggested to be associated with infection, malignancy, or drug/vaccine administration in some cases, although these are based on case reports and causality has not been established. Type V PRP is often due to inborn CARD14 mutations. Furthermore, recent literature has identified interleukin-23/T-helper-17 cell axis dysregulation to be a major mediator of PRP pathogenesis, paving the way for mechanism-directed therapy. At present, high-dose isotretinoin, ixekizumab, and secukinumab are systemic agents supported by single-arm prospective studies; numerous other agents have also been trialed for PRP, with variable success rates. Here, we discuss updates on clinical manifestations, present new insights into etiopathogenesis, and offer a survey of recently described therapeutic options.

Differential Upregulation of Th1/Th17-Associated Proteins and PD-L1 in Granulomatous Mycosis Fungoides

Granulomatous Mycosis Fungoides (GMF) is a rare form of mycosis fungoides (MF) characterized by a granulomatous infiltrate associated with the neoplastic lymphoid population and is considered to have a worse prognosis compared with regular MF. The upregulation of the T helper (Th) axis, especially Th17, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory/infectious granulomatous cutaneous diseases, but its role in GMF is still not elucidated to date. In this study, we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of Th1 (Tbet), Th2 (GATA-3), Th17 (RORγT), T regulatory (Foxp3), and immune checkpoint (IC) (PD-1 and PD-L1) markers in a cohort of patients with GMF and MF with large cell transformation (MFLCT). Skin biopsies from 49 patients (28 GMF and 21 MFLCT) were studied. Patients with GMF were associated with early clinical stage (p = 0.036) and lower levels of lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.042). An increased percentage of cells positive for Tbet (p = 0.017), RORγT (p = 0.001), and PD-L1 (p = 0.011) was also observed among the GMF specimens, while a stronger PD-1 intensity was detected in cases of MFLCT. In this cohort, LCT, RORγT < 10%, Foxp3 < 10%, age, and advanced stage were associated with worse overall survival (OS) in univariate analysis. GMF demonstrated Th1 (cellular response) and Th17 (autoimmunity) phenotype, seen in early MF and granulomatous processes, respectively, which may be related to the histopathological appearance and biological behavior of GMF. Further studies involving larger series of cases and more sensitive techniques are warranted.

Safety of Concurrent Radiation Therapy With Brentuximab Vedotin in the Treatment of Lymphoma

Purpose

Purpose: Radiation therapy (RT) and the antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin (BV) are standard-of-care treatment options for patients with certain B and T-cell lymphomas; however, there are limited data exploring the safety of concurrent BV and RT (BVRT).

Methods and Materials

We performed a single institutional retrospective review of 44 patients who received BVRT.

Results

Twenty percent of patients (9/44) developed new grade 2 or higher (G2+) hematologic toxicity (HT) after BVRT, which was associated with radiation dose (median dose of 35 Gy in those with new G2+ HT compared with 15 Gy in those without; P < .001). Acute G2+ elevation in aspartate transaminase or alanine transaminase level was associated with administration of concurrent chemotherapy with BVRT (57% vs 21%; P = .047) but was not associated with any RT factors. Local control (LC) was achieved in 24 of 42 patients (57%) with available follow-up. Ten patients (23%) proceeded to stem cell transplant or cellular therapy after BVRT at a median of 48 days (interquartile range, 27-188 days). At last follow-up, 10 patients (23%) remained without evidence of disease.

Conclusions

Our analysis demonstrates that the combination of BV and RT is well tolerated, though care should be taken during RT planning to reduce the risk of HT. This combination can be considered for patients in need of both local and systemic disease control.

New JAK3-INSL3 Fusion Transcript-An Oncogenic Event in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Constitutively activated tyrosine kinase JAK3 is implicated in the pathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). The mechanisms of constitutive JAK3 activation are unknown although a JAK3 mutation was reported in a small portion of CTCL patients. In this study, we assessed the oncogenic roles of a newly identified JAK3-INSL3 fusion transcript in CTCL. Total RNA from malignant T-cells in 33 patients with Sézary syndrome (SS), a leukemic form of CTCL, was examined for the new JAK3-INSL3 fusion transcript by RT-PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. The expression levels were assessed by qPCR and correlated with patient survivals. Knockdown and/or knockout assays were conducted in two CTCL cell lines (MJ cells and HH cells) by RNA interference and/or CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. SS patients expressed heterogeneous levels of a new JAK3-INSL3 fusion transcript. Patients with high-level expression of JAK3-INSL3 showed poorer 5-year survival (n = 19, 42.1%) than patients with low-level expression (n = 14, 78.6%). CTCL cells transduced with specific shRNAs or sgRNAs had decreased new JAK3-INSL3 fusion transcript expression, reduced cell proliferation, and decreased colony formation. In NSG xenograft mice, smaller tumor sizes were observed in MJ cells transduced with specific shRNAs than cells transduced with controls. Our results suggest that the newly identified JAK3-INSL3 fusion transcript confers an oncogenic event in CTCL.

Complete Response to tenalisib and romidepsin with long-term maintenance using tenalisib monotherapy in a patient with relapsed and refractory sézary syndrome

Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary Syndrome (SS) are the most common subtypes of cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL). Advanced-stage MF/SS have poor prognoses and may be refractory to multiple systemic treatments. These cases can be difficult to achieve and maintain complete response and there is a need for novel therapeutics. Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway by Tenalisib presents one such emerging drug. We report a relapsed/refractory SS patient achieving complete remission using the combination of Tenalisib and Romidepsin and subsequently maintaining long-duration CR with Tenalisib monotherapy.

Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: Current and Emerging Therapies

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are clinically heterogeneous T-cell lymphomas that arise in the skin and are characterized by their clinical and pathological features. This review will focus on mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), which represent 60% to 80% and less than 10% of CTCL cases, respectively. While most patients with MF present with patches and plaques and can be successfully treated with skin-directed therapies, a minority of patients progress from early to advanced stages or undergo large cell transformation. SS is defined as erythroderma, lymphadenopathy, and more than 1000 circulating atypical T-cells/uL with cerebriform nuclei. It has a poor overall survival of 2.5 years. Given the overall rarity of CTCLs, it is notable that clinical trials of treatments for MF/SS have been successfully completed, resulting in FDA approvals of novel therapies with increasing overall response rates. This review outlines the current multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating MF/SS, with a focus on combining skin-directed therapies with emerging targeted and investigational systemic therapies. Integrating these anticancer therapies with skin care and bacterial decolonization is critical for comprehensive management. Curing patients with MF/SS may be possible by using a personalized medicine approach including novel combination strategies, restoration of T helper 1 cytokines, and avoidance of immunosuppressive regimens.

Clinical and Pathological Characteristics and Outcomes Among Patients With Subcutaneous Panniculitis-like T-Cell Lymphoma and Related Adipotropic Lymphoproliferative Disorders

Importance

There is a knowledge gap about subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) owing to its rarity and diagnostic difficulty, resulting in an absence of well-documented large case series published to date.

Objective

To generate consensus knowledge by a joint multi-institutional review of SPTCL and related conditions.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective clinical and pathological review included cases initially diagnosed as SPTCL at 6 large US academic centers. All cases were reviewed by a group of pathologists, dermatologists, and oncologists with expertise in cutaneous lymphomas. Through a process of group consensus applying defined clinical and pathological diagnostic criteria, the cohort was classified as (1) SPTCL or (2) adipotropic lymphoproliferative disorder (ALPD) for similar cases with incomplete histopathological criteria for SPTCL designation.

Exposures

Cases of SPTCL diagnosed between 1998 and 2018.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was disease presentation and evolution, including response to therapy, disease progression, and development of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Results

The cohort of 95 patients (median [range] age, 38 [2-81] years; female-to-male ratio, 2.7) included 75 cases of SPTCL and 20 cases of ALPD. The clinical presentation was similar for both groups with multiple (61 of 72 [85%]) or single (11 of 72 [15%]) tender nodules mostly involving extremities, occasionally resulting in lipoatrophy. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) was only observed in SPTCL cases. With a mean follow-up of 56 months, 60 of 90 patients (67%) achieved complete remission with a median (range) of 3 (1-7) cumulative therapies. Relapse was common. None of the patients died of disease progression or HLH. Two patients with ALPD eventually progressed to SPTCL without associated systemic symptoms or HLH.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this case series of patients initially diagnosed as having SPTCL, results showed no evidence of systemic tumoral progression beyond the adipose tissue. The SPTCL experience in this study confirmed an indolent course and favorable response to a variety of treatments ranging from immune modulation to chemotherapy followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Morbidity was primarily associated with HLH.

Efficacy and Safety of Topical Hypericin Photodynamic Therapy for Early-Stage Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (Mycosis Fungoides): The FLASH Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Given that mycosis fungoides-cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MF/CTCL) is chronic, there is a need for additional therapies with minimal short- and long-term adverse effects. Topical synthetic hypericin ointment, 0.25%, activated with visible light is a novel, nonmutagenic photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Objectives

To determine the efficacy and safety of topical synthetic hypericin ointment, 0.25%, activated with visible light as a nonmutagenic PDT in early-stage MF/CTCL.

Design, Settings, and Participants

This was a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, phase 3 randomized clinical trial (FLASH study) conducted from December 2015 to November 2020 at 39 academic and community-based US medical centers. Participants were adults (≥18 years) with early-stage (IA-IIA) MF/CTCL.

Interventions

In cycle 1, patients were randomized 2:1 to receive hypericin or placebo to 3 index lesions twice weekly for 6 weeks. In cycle 2, all patients received the active drug for 6 weeks to index lesions. In cycle 3 (optional), both index and additional lesions received active drug for 6 weeks.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was index lesion response rate (ILRR), defined as 50% or greater improvement in modified Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Severity (mCAILS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of therapy for cycle 1. For cycles 2 and 3, open label response rates were secondary end points. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed at each treatment visit, after each cycle, and then monthly for 6 months. Data analyses were performed on December 21, 2020.

Results

The study population comprised 169 patients (mean [SD] age, 58.4 [16.0] years; 96 [57.8%] men; 120 [72.3%] White individuals) with early-stage MF/CTCL. After 6 weeks of treatment, hypericin PDT was more effective than placebo (cycle 1 ILRR, 16% vs 4%; P = .04). The ILRR increased to 40% in patients who received 2 cycles of hypericin PDT (P < .001 vs cycle 1 hypericin) and to 49% after 3 cycles (P < .001 vs cycle 1 hypericin). Significant clinical responses were observed in both patch and plaque type lesions and were similar regardless of age, sex, race, stage IA vs IB, time since diagnosis, and number of prior therapies. The most common treatment-related AEs were mild local skin (13.5%-17.3% across cycles 1-3 vs 10.5% for placebo in cycle 1) and application-site reactions (3.2%-6.9% across cycles 1-3 vs 4% for placebo in cycle 1). No drug-related serious AEs occurred.

Conclusion and Relevance

The findings of this randomized clinical trial indicate that synthetic hypericin PDT is effective in early-stage patch and plaque MF/CTCL and has a favorable safety profile.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02448381.

Survival Outcomes of Patients with Mycosis Fungoides Involving the External Ear and Ear Canal

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Mycosis Fungoides (MF) is the most common subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Disease involvement of specific locations may be more significant than simply the symptoms associated with that site; it is possible that involvement of certain sites could be associated with poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with MF with documented involvement of the EAC and external ear.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 40 patients with MF that were treated by otologists between 2012 and 2021.

RESULTS

We report the largest series of patients with MF involving the external ear and EAC. Of the 40 patients included in this study, 17 presented with Mycosis Fungoides in the otologic region (MFO). Of these 17 MFO patients, 2/17 had involvement of the external ear only, 3/17 of the EAC only, 11/17 of both the external ear and EAC, and 1/17 of the periauricular skin. Of note, 11/14 (79%) patients presenting with EAC disease died compared to11/26 (42%) of patients without involvement. In addition, eight of the 13 (62%) patients with external ear involvement died compared to 14/27 (52%) of patients without involvement. Ear canal involvement was associated with a statistically significant shorter overall survival duration in patients with MF (p = 0.03). Furthermore, disease in the EAC was found to have a hazard ratio value of 2.565 (CI 1.102-5.970).

CONCLUSIONS

Involvement of the EAC by MF portends a poor prognosis. This finding highlights the need for a more in-depth otologic evaluation of patients with MF.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4 Laryngoscope, 2022.

Response to Brentuximab Vedotin by CD30 Expression in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Background

The safety and efficacy of brentuximab vedotin (BV), an antibody-drug conjugate directed to the CD30 antigen, has been assessed in several trials in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), or B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The objective of this research was to examine the relationship between CD30 expression level and clinical response to BV.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed response in patients treated with BV monotherapy in 5 prospective clinical studies in relapsed or refractory PTCL, CTCL, or B-cell NHL. CD30 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using the Ber H2 antibody for 275 patients.

Results

Across all 5 studies, 140 (50.9%) patients had tumors with CD30 expression <10%, including 60 (21.8%) with undetectable CD30 by IHC. No significant differences were observed for any study in overall response rates between patients with CD30 expression ≥10% or <10%. Median duration of response was also similar in the CD30 ≥10% and <10% groups for all studies.

Conclusions

In this analysis of studies across a range of CD30-expressing lymphomas, CD30 expression alone, as measured by standard IHC, does not predict clinical benefit from BV, making the determination of a threshold level of expression uncertain.

Primary cutaneous lymphoma: recommendations for clinical trial design and staging update from the ISCL, USCLC, and EORTC

The number of patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma (PCL) relative to other non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) is small and the number of subtypes large. Although clinical trial guidelines have been published for mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome, the most common type of PCL, none exist for the other PCLs. In addition, staging of the PCLs has been evolving based on new data on potential prognostic factors, diagnosis, and assessment methods of both skin and extracutaneous disease and a desire to align the latter with the Lugano guidelines for all NHLs. The International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas (ISCL), the United States Cutaneous LymphomaConsortium (USCLC), and the Cutaneous Lymphoma Task Force of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) now propose updated staging and guidelines for the study design, assessment, endpoints, and response criteria in clinical trials for all the PCLs in alignment with that of the Lugano guidelines. These recommendations provide standardized methodology that should facilitate planning and regulatory approval of new treatments for these lymphomas worldwide, encourage cooperative investigator-initiated trials, and help to assess the comparative efficacy of therapeutic agents tested across sites and studies.

Association of Flame-Retardant Clothing with Mycosis Fungoides: A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction

Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most prevalent form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), has been associated with a variety of environmental and occupational exposures. Flame-retardant clothing (FRC), in contrast to flame-resistant clothing, is chemically treated and may constitute a previously unrecognized occupational hazard.

Objectives

To report an association between FRC and MF.

Methods

After encountering several young male patients whose onset of MF coincided with the occupational use of FRC and occupation as fire fighters, we did a retrospective search. Additional biopsy proven MF patients with use of FRC were identified by the EPIC electronic medical record using the search terms “CTCL, mycosis fungoides, flame, and flame-retardant.”

Results

Eight MF patients, all males, ranging in age from 31 years to 64 years (median age, 35 years) with exposure to FRC were identified. MF remission was noted in three patients who discontinued FRC use and in one patient who used a cotton undershirt barrier, while disease persistence was noted in one patient who continued to use FRC.

Conclusions

FRC appears to be associated with development of MF through chronic antigen stimulation. Use of FRC is an occupational hazard for fire fighters. Any patient whose MF coincides with use of FRC should avoid further exposure through avoidance or switching to clothing made from inherently flame-resistant fibers.

New Practical Aspects of Sweet Syndrome

Sweet syndrome (SS), or acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is an inflammatory, non-infectious skin reaction characterized clinically by tender, erythematous papules/plaques/pustules/nodules commonly appearing on the upper limbs, trunk, and head and neck; histologically, SS is characterized by dense neutrophilic infiltrate in the dermis. SS is accompanied by fever; an elevation of inflammatory markers (e.g., erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein) in serum may also be observed. Although most cases of SS are idiopathic, SS also occurs in the setting of malignancy or following administration of an associated drug. SS has also been reported in association with pregnancy and a burgeoning list of infectious (most commonly upper respiratory tract infections) and inflammatory diseases; likewise, the litany of possible iatrogenic triggers has also grown. Over the past several years, a wider spectrum of SS presentation has been realized, with several reports highlighting novel clinical and histological variants. Corticosteroids continue to be efficacious first-line therapy for the majority of patients with SS, although novel steroid-sparing agents have been recently added to the therapeutic armamentarium against refractory SS. New mechanisms of SS induction have also been recognized, although the precise etiology of SS still remains elusive. Here, we catalogue the various clinical and histological presentations of SS, summarize recently reported disease associations and iatrogenic triggers, and review treatment options. We also attempt to frame the findings of this review in the context of established and emerging paradigms of SS pathogenesis.

Randomized phase 3 ALCANZA study of brentuximab vedotin vs physician's choice in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: final data

The primary analysis of the phase 3 ALCANZA trial showed significantly improved objective responses lasting ≥4 months (ORR4; primary endpoint) and progression-free survival (PFS) with brentuximab vedotin vs physician's choice (methotrexate or bexarotene) in CD30-expressing mycosis fungoides (MF) or primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (C-ALCL). Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas often cause pruritus and pain; brentuximab vedotin improved skin symptom burden with no negative effects on quality of life. We report final data from ALCANZA (median follow-up, 45.9 months). Adults with previously treated CD30-expressing MF/C-ALCL were randomly assigned to brentuximab vedotin (n = 64) or physician's choice (n = 64). Final data demonstrated improved responses per independent review facility with brentuximab vedotin vs physician's choice: ORR4; 54.7% vs 12.5% (P < .001); complete response, 17.2% vs 1.6% (P = .002). Median PFS with brentuximab vedotin vs physician's choice was 16.7 months vs 3.5 months (P < .001). Median time to the next treatment was significantly longer with brentuximab vedotin than with physician's choice (14.2 vs 5.6 months; hazard ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.42; P < .001). Of 44 patients in the brentuximab vedotin arm who experienced any-grade peripheral neuropathy, (grade 3, n = 6; grade 4, n = 0), 86% (38 of 44) had complete resolution (26 of 44) or improvement to grades 1 and 2 (12 of 44). Peripheral neuropathy was ongoing in 18 patients (all grades 1-2). These final analyses confirm improved, clinically meaningful, durable responses and longer PFS with brentuximab vedotin vs physician's choice in CD30-expressing MF or C-ALCL. This trial was registered at https://www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01578499.

Monitoring malignant T-cell clones by direct TCR expression assay in patients with leukemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma during extracorporeal photopheresis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Accurate assessment of malignant T-cell clones in patients with leukemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (L-CTCL) is crucial for diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring disease. Although multiple approaches to quantitate malignant T-cell clones have been reported, a cost-effective assay with broad coverage is not available. We report a NanoString-nCounter-Technology-based direct TCR expression assay (DTEA) that was previously developed to quantify both TCR-Vα and TCR-Vβ usages after adoptive immunotherapy. This study was performed to test the effectiveness of DTEA in assessing malignant T-cell clones in L-CTCL patients.

METHODS

Total RNAs extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients before starting extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) (n = 15) and during therapy at 3 months and 6 months (n = 12) were used for DTEA, with customized probes for 45 TCR-Vα and 46 TCR-Vβ family members.

RESULTS

At baseline, DTEA detected TCR-Vβ clones in all 15 patients (100%) compared to flow cytometry that detected TCR-Vβ clones in 9 of 13 patients (69.2%). In addition to predominant TCR-Vβ clones, DTEA also detected additional TCR-Vβ clones in 8 of 15 patients (53.3%). Furthermore, DTEA simultaneously identified clonal TCR-Vα usages, which allowed us to pair TCR-Vα and TCRVβ usages by malignant T-cells and identify diversified clonotypes. Changes in the relative frequencies of clonal TCR-Vβ and TCRVα usages over therapy were consistent with patients' clinical responses.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that DTEA can effectively assess malignant T-cell clones by detecting clonal TCR-Vα and TCR-Vβ usages. By providing a global view of TCR repertoires, DTEA may also help us understand the origin(s) of malignant T-cells and pathogenesis of CTCL.

Teledermatology During COVID-19: An Updated Review

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has fundamentally transformed the landscape of providing dermatologic care. In an age of lockdowns and social distancing, teledermatology (TD) has emerged as a powerful tool to deliver remote care. Here, we review literature on TD use during the pandemic to evaluate the positives and negatives of TD implementation. We especially consider the reception of TD in underserved communities and the developing world as well as the ethico-legal challenges wrought by the burgeoning utilization of this new paradigm of care. The potential of TD to occupy a more prominent role in dermatologic care in a post-COVID-19 world is also discussed.

Response to brentuximab vedotin versus physician's choice by CD30 expression and large cell transformation status in patients with mycosis fungoides: An ALCANZA sub-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, can lead to disfiguring lesions, debilitating pruritus and frequent skin infections. This study assessed response to brentuximab vedotin in patients with MF in the phase III ALCANZA study.

METHODS

Baseline CD30 levels and large-cell transformation (LCT) status were centrally reviewed in patients with previously-treated CD30-positive MF using ≥2 skin biopsies obtained at screening; eligible patients required ≥1 biopsy with ≥10% CD30 expression. Patients were categorised as CD30_min < 10% (≥1 biopsy with <10% CD30 expression), or CD30_min ≥ 10% (all biopsies with ≥10% CD30 expression) and baseline LCT present or absent. Efficacy analyses were the proportion of patients with objective response lasting ≥4 months (ORR4) and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Clinical activity with brentuximab vedotin was observed across all CD30 expression levels in patients with ≥1 biopsy showing ≥10% CD30 expression. Superior ORR4 was observed with brentuximab vedotin versus physician's choice in patients: with CD30_min < 10% (40.9% versus 9.5%), with CD30_min ≥ 10% (57.1% versus 10.3%), with LCT (64.7% versus 17.6%) and without LCT (38.7% versus 6.5%). Brentuximab vedotin improved median PFS versus physician's choice in patients: with CD30_min < 10% (16.7 versus 2.3 months), with CD30_min ≥ 10% (15.5 versus 3.9 months), with LCT (15.5 versus 2.8 months) and without LCT (16.1 versus 3.5 months). Safety profiles were generally comparable across subgroups.

CONCLUSION

These exploratory analyses demonstrated that brentuximab vedotin improved rates of ORR4 and PFS versus physician's choice in patients with CD30-positive MF and ≥1 biopsy showing ≥10% CD30 expression, regardless of LCT status.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01578499.

Is immunohistochemical expression of GATA3 helpful in the differential diagnosis of transformed mycosis fungoides and primary cutaneous CD30-positive T cell lymphoproliferative disorders?

Mycosis fungoides with large cell transformation (MFLCT) can be difficult to distinguish from primary cutaneous CD30+ T cell lymphoproliferative disorders (PC CD30+ LPD), especially primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PC-ALCL). This diagnostic distinction is critical for appropriate patient management. GATA3 has been proposed to be useful in the discrimination between these two entities. We identified 25 cases of MFLCT and 24 cases of PC CD30+ LPDs (including lymphomatoid papulosis (n=14), PC-ALCL (n=6), and CD30+ LPD, not otherwise specified (n=4)) diagnosed at our institution from 2002 to 2019. Sections from archived specimens were stained to evaluate for GATA3 expression by immunohistochemistry and compared among cutaneous CD30+ T cell LPDs. The majority of the MFLCT cohort had strong, diffuse expression of GATA3 ranging from 0 to 100% of dermal T cells (mean 53.20%) with 15/25 cases (60%) showing GATA3 expression greater than 50%, while the PC CD30+ LPD group showed variable, moderate GATA3 labeling ranging from 0 to 60% of dermal T cells (mean 23.26%), with 5/6 cases (83%) showing GATA3 expression less than 40% (p =0.003). The calculated sensitivity and specificity were 56% and 74%, while positive and negative predictive values were 70% and 61%, respectively. Based on the percent staining of positive cells, using 50% as a cutoff value for expression, GATA3 might be a useful immunohistochemical marker to discriminate MFLCT from PC CD30+ LPDs, including PC-ALCL.

Quality of Life Effect of the Anti-CCR4 Monoclonal Antibody Mogamulizumab Versus Vorinostat in Patients With Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Sézary syndrome (SS) and mycosis fungoides (MF), 2 types of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, cause significant morbidity and adversely affect patients' quality of life (QoL). The present study assessed the QoL measurement changes in patients receiving mogamulizumab versus vorinostat.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A multicenter phase III trial was conducted of patients with stage IB-IV MF/SS with ≥ 1 failed systemic therapy. The QoL measures included Skindex-29 and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General. The symptoms, function, and QoL subdomains were longitudinally modeled using mixed models with prespecified covariates. Meaningful change thresholds (MCTs) were defined using distribution-based methods. The categorical changes by group over time and the time to clinically meaningful worsening were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 372 randomized patients, mogamulizumab demonstrated improvement in Skindex-29 symptoms (cycles 3, 5, and 7; P < .05) and functional (cycles 3 and 5; P < .05) scales. A significantly greater proportion of mogamulizumab-treated patients improved by MCTs or more from baseline in the Skindex-29 symptoms domain (cycles 3, 5, 7, and 11) and functioning domain (cycle 5). Significant differences in the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General physical well-being (cycles 1, 3, and 5; P < .05) were observed in favor of mogamulizumab and a greater proportion of patients had declined by MCTs or more at cycles 1, 3, 5, and 7 with vorinostat treatment. The median time to symptom worsening using Skindex-29 was 27.4 months for mogamulizumab versus 6.6 months for vorinostat. In the patients with SS, the time to worsening favored mogamulizumab (P < .005) for all Skindex-29 domains. The time to worsening was similar for the 2 MF treatment arms.

CONCLUSION

The symptoms, function, and overall QoL of patients with MF/SS favored mogamulizumab over vorinostat across all time points. Patients with the greatest symptom burden and functional impairment derived the most QoL benefit from mogamulizumab.

Anaphylaxis following administration of extracorporeal photopheresis for cutaneous T cell lymphoma

Extracorporeal photopheresis is a non-invasive therapy used for the treatment of a range of T cell disorders, including cutaneous T cell lymphoma. During extracorporeal photopheresis, peripheral blood is removed from the patient and the white blood cells are separated from whole blood via centrifugation. The white blood cells are exposed to psoralen (a photosensitizing agent) and ultraviolet A radiation, causing cell apoptosis. The apoptotic leukocytes are subsequently re-infused into the patient, resulting in the production of tumor suppressor cells and clinical improvement. Extracorporeal photopheresis is generally regarded as safe with few side effects. We report a dermatology patient who developed anaphylaxis after receiving extracorporeal photopheresis for the treatment of leukemic mycosis fungoides. We suspect that our patient's anaphylaxis resulted from exposure to an agent used in extracorporeal photopheresis.

Determination of immunophenotypic aberrancies provides better assessment of peripheral blood involvement by mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome than quantification of CD26- or CD7- CD4+ T-cells

BACKGROUND

Blood involvement by mycosis fungoides (MF)/Sézary syndrome (SS) influences prognosis and therapeutic decisions. MF/SS blood stage is currently determined by absolute CD4 + CD26- or CD4 + CD7-cell counts, which quantification method may overestimate MF/SS by including CD26- or CD7- normal CD4+ T-cells, or underestimate disease burden when MF/SS cells show incomplete loss of CD26 and/or CD7. Recently, through the standardization effort led by the International Clinical Cytometry Society (ICCS), recommendation was made to quantify MF/SS by enumerating immunophenotypically aberrant CD4+ T-cells, rather than CD26- or CD7- in isolation.

METHODS

We compared these two quantitation methods in 309 MF/SS patients who had blood samples analyzed by flow cytometry immunophenotyping (FCI) over a 1-year period.

RESULTS

Using the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)/International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas (ISCL) criteria, 221 (71.5%) patients had a blood stage corresponding to B0, 57 (18.4%) to B1, and 31 (10%) to B2. By FCI analysis, a total of 62 patients (20.0%) were found positive for MF/SS. Among EORTC B0 patients, 11/221 (5%) were positive by FCI (false negatives), and among EORTC Stage B1 patients, 35/57 (61%) were negative by FCI (false positives). Regarding patients positive for MF/SS cells by FCI, there was an overall excellent correlation (r = .999, p < .001) between the EORTC/ISCL method and FCI method; however, four (6.5%) patients would have an altered B stage between B0 and B1.

CONCLUSION

The MF/SS cell quantification method using immunophenotypic aberrancies, as recommended by the ICCS, allows to distinguish MF/SS cells from background benign T-cells and enables for more accurate staging, especially among patients currently being considered to have B0 and B1 stage diseases.

Patient-reported quality of life in patients with relapsed/refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: Results from the randomised phase III ALCANZA study

BACKGROUND

Brentuximab vedotin was approved for adult patients with CD30-expressing cutaneous T-cell lymphoma treated with prior systemic therapy based on improved response rates and progression-free survival with brentuximab vedotin (1.8 mg/kg once every 3 weeks; ≤16 cycles) versus physician's choice (methotrexate/bexarotene; ≤48 weeks) in the phase III ALCANZA study. Quality of life (QoL) in ALCANZA patients was also examined.

METHODS

QoL measures in ALCANZA were based on the Skindex-29, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and European QoL 5-dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaires.

RESULTS

Mean maximum reduction from the baseline Skindex-29 symptom domain score (key secondary end-point) was greater with brentuximab vedotin than physician's choice (-27.96 versus -8.62); the difference, -18.9 (95% confidence interval -26.6, -11.2; adjusted p < 0.001), exceeded the study-defined minimally important difference (9.0-12.3). Mean changes from baseline to end-of-treatment visit total FACT-G scores were similar with brentuximab vedotin and physician's choice (0.15 versus -2.29). EQ-5D changes were also comparable between arms. Among brentuximab vedotin-treated patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN), mean maximum reduction in Skindex-29 symptom domain was -35.54 versus -11.11 in patients without PN. PN had no meaningful effect on FACT-G and EQ-5D QoL scores.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, brentuximab vedotin produced superior reductions in symptom burden compared with physician's choice, without adversely impacting QoL. QoL was unaffected by the presence of PN in brentuximab vedotin-treated patients.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01578499.

Non-Classic Signs of Sézary Syndrome: A Review

The majority of patients with Sézary syndrome (SS) present with classic symptoms of erythroderma, lymphadenopathy, and pruritus. However, there have been numerous reports of patients with SS who have non-classic signs. In this review, we report the less common clinical presentations of SS and discuss their relevant treatments. Our search included all literature on SS since 2008, the year the World Health Organization (WHO) incorporated the diagnostic criteria for SS into the WHO Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues. We reviewed 896 articles and identified 505 patients with non-classic presentations of SS. Of these 505 patients, the most common non-classic signs of SS were keratoderma, onychodystrophy, alopecia, leonine facies, and ectropion. Given the aggressive and highly symptomatic nature of SS, it is imperative that clinicians recognize the less common signs of the disease to prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first review of the clinical variations of SS with a focus on non-classic signs and symptoms.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen in erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients

Erythroderma can occur in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) prevalence is increased in CTCL patients and contributes to CTCL disease flares. Our primary aim was to describe S. aureus infections, including resistance patterns and the antibiotic treatment regimens used, in erythrodermic CTCL patients. This was a retrospective chart review of erythrodermic CTCL patients who had S. aureus infection or colonization and were treated at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center's Melanoma Skin Center between 2012 and 2016. Twenty-six erythrodermic CTCL patients had 50 documented S. aureus colonization or infection events. Patients had an improvement in body surface area (BSA) or modified Severity Weighted Assessment Tool (mSWAT) in 53% events treated for S. aureus. Seventeen of the 50 (34%) events were due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). One-third (33%) of MRSA events were initially treated with dicloxacillin. The MRSA isolates were sensitive to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (92%) and doxycycline (88%). Patients treated in the outpatient setting (OR 0.073; 95% CI 0.008-0.627; p = 0.017) and patients with a previous history of topical anti-S. aureus decolonization treatments before S. aureus event as stand-alone (OR 0.125; 95% CI 0.018-0.887; p = 0.038) or in combination treatment with systemic antibiotics (OR 0.094; 95% CI 0.009-0.944; p = 0.045) were less likely to see improvement in BSA or mSWAT from S. aureus treatment. Treatment of S. aureus improved CTCL skin score in a high number of erythrodermic patients. The MRSA prevalence was high in erythrodermic CTCL patients. Clinicians should consider using empiric MRSA antibiotic coverage for these patients.

CD209+ monocyte-derived myeloid dendritic cells were increased in patients with leukemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma undergoing extracorporeal photopheresis via the CELLEXTM system

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

We previously reported that myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) were increased in patients with leukemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (L-CTCL) following extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) using the Therakos UVAR XTS^™ system. We now assessed monocyte-derived mDCs (Mo-DCs) in L-CTCL patients treated with the CELLEX^TM photopheresis system. CD209, a transmembrane receptor, was used to define Mo-DCs.

METHODS

Peripheral blood samples from baseline pre-ECP and at Day 2, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-ECP were analyzed by flow cytometry for Lin^- HLA-DR⁺ CD123⁺ plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), Lin^- HLA-DR⁺ CD11c⁺ mDCs, and CD209⁺ mDCs. The expression of CD209 mRNA was assessed by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

At baseline, 7 of 19 patients had lower than normal mDCs, and all patients had lower than normal CD209⁺ mDCs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (0.005% in patients, n = 19, vs 0.50% in healthy donors, n = 7, P < .0001). The CD209⁺ mDC numbers only accounted for 3.28% out of total mDCs in patients compared with 66.51% in healthy donors. After treatment, the CD209⁺ mDC numbers showed increasing trends in patients. The average absolute numbers of CD209⁺ mDCs went up by 4.8-fold at 3 months (n = 10, P = .103) and by 6.4-fold at 6 months (n = 9, P = .100). CD209 mRNA expression went up in two patients responsive to therapy, parallel to CD209⁺ mDC numbers. L-CTCL patients achieved 70% overall clinical response rate (7/10) following ECP therapy with the CELLEX^TM system.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the CELLEX^TM photopheresis system is effective for treating L-CTCL patients like the UVAR XTS^™ system, and in vivo-generated Mo-DCs increase following ECP.

Development of Sézary syndrome following the administration of dupilumab

Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling. It is the first biologic agent to demonstrate efficacy in treating moderate-to-severe refractory atopic dermatitis [1, 2]. Although dupilumab provides promise for the treatment of atopic and allergic conditions, clinicians should take into account its novelty and the potential for unexpected adverse events. We present a patient who developed Sézary syndrome following the initiation of dupilumab.