Clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of cutaneous lymphomas: current status and future directions

Br J Haematol. 2017 Jan;176(1):16-36. doi: 10.1111/bjh.14402. Epub 2016 Oct 26.

Abstract

The primary cutaneous lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of T-, Natural Killer- and B- cell neoplasms with a wide range of clinical and pathological presentations, and with very different prognoses compared to systemic lymphomas. Recent studies have shown that the skin microenvironment, which is composed of various immune cell subsets as well as their spatial distribution and T-cell interactions through different chemokines and cytokines, has an important role in the development and pathogenesis of cutaneous lymphomas and has assisted in the development of novel and more effective immunotherapies. The following review will focus on the major subtypes of primary cutaneous lymphomas, including the clinical and histological patterns, molecular hallmarks, and current and future treatment strategies.

Keywords: immune checkpoints; primary cutaneous lymphomas; treatment strategies; tumour microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / trends
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / classification
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / therapy*
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Cytokines