Biological insights into the pathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL)

Sean Whittaker

doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2005.12.015

Biological insights into the pathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL)

Semin Oncol. 2006 Feb;33(1 Suppl 3):S3-6. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2005.12.015.

Author

Sean Whittaker¹

Affiliation

¹ St Johns Institute of Dermatology, Guys and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. sean.whittaker@kcl.ac.uk

PMID: 16516668
DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2005.12.015

Abstract

Mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome, collectively known as cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs), are low-grade, indolent, clonal, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas consisting of CD4+ CD45RO+ T cells with a CLA+ CCR4+ skin-homing phenotype. There are several variants of primary CTCLs with differences in clinical behavior and prognosis. Currently, the precise etiologies of mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome are unknown. This article reviews our current understanding of the pathogenetic abnormalities involving genomic mutations, abnormal cDNA expression, and dysregulation of signaling pathways in CTCL.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / etiology*
Skin Neoplasms / etiology*
T-Lymphocytes / immunology