A comprehensive study on aberrant CD20+ mycosis fungoides: clinical and prognostic insights

Abstract

Background: As the majority of T-cell lymphomas lack CD20 expression, cases of mycosis fungoides (MF) exhibiting aberrant CD20 expression are exceedingly uncommon.

Objectives: To comprehensively evaluate the clinical, histopathological and prognostic features of seven patients diagnosed with CD20+ MF.

Methods: This retrospective study involved seven cases of MF with aberrant CD20 expression. The study provides details of demographics, clinical features, histopathology and treatment outcomes. Key timepoints include initial diagnosis of MF, detection of CD20 expression and follow-up, with a mean follow-up of 46 months.

Results: Aberrant CD20+ MF was diagnosed at an average age of 58.6 years, approximately 5.6 years after the first MF diagnosis. Following CD20 detection, patients presented with advanced disease stages, requiring treatments such as chemotherapy, brentuximab vedotin and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Four patients died from lymphoma, with an average survival time of 52 months.

Conclusions: Aberrant CD20 expression in MF is rare but indicates a progressive course associated with poor prognosis. This often requires systemic chemotherapy and, in certain instances, allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This study provides important insights into the clinical attributes, disease progression and treatment options for patients with MF with aberrant CD20 expression. Further research is necessary to validate the effectiveness of emerging therapies and enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and prognostic determinants specific to this unique MF subgroup.