Management of advanced-stage peripheral T-cell lymphomas

Chronic Radiation Dermatitis Secondary to Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B Therapy in a Patient With Primary Cutaneous CD8 + T-Cell Lymphoma With Cytotoxic Granules

ABSTRACT

Conventional therapies for CD8 + cutaneous T-cell lymphoma include topical steroids, topical nitrogen mustard, topical bexarotene, ultraviolet B therapy, psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy, local radiotherapy, and interferon alfa; however, these treatments are often found to be ineffective. Presented is a case of CD8 + cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with near-complete response to narrow-band ultraviolet therapy because of chronic radiation dermatitis initially believed to be possible progression of a CD8 + cutaneous epidermotropic cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma.

Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma: A Difficult Diagnosis Demystified

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) represents a heterogeneous group of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphomas in which monoclonal T lymphocytes infiltrate the skin. The mechanism of CTCL development is not fully understood, but likely involves dysregulation of various genes and signaling pathways. A variety of treatment modalities are available, and although they can induce remission in most patients, the disease may recur after treatment cessation. Owing to relatively low incidence and significant chronicity of disease, and the high morbidity of some therapeutic regimens, further clinical trials are warranted to better define the ideal treatment option for each subtype of CTCL.

Therapeutic antibodies against cancer

Antibody-based therapeutics against cancer are highly successful and currently enjoy unprecedented recognition of their potential; 13 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been approved for clinical use in the European Union and in the United States. Bevacizumab, rituximab, and trastuzumab had sales in 2010 of more than $5 billion each. Hundreds of mAbs, including bispecific mAbs and multispecific fusion proteins, mAbs conjugated with small-molecule drugs, and mAbs with optimized pharmacokinetics, are in clinical trials. However, deeper understanding of mechanisms is needed to overcome major problems including resistance to therapy, access to targets, complexity of biological systems, and individual variations.