Longitudinal study of surface antigen pattern in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a longitudinal study of surface antigen pattern in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. The surface phenotype of lymphoma cells in five patients (4 with mycosis fungoides and 1 with Sezary syndrome) were examined for a period of several years, using monoclonal anti-T-cell antibodies. Diagnosis was well established in all patients according to clinical and histological criteria. Based on strictly clinical categories, the disease proceeded from erythematous and plaque stage to tumor stage in three patients, one patient first assessed in tumor stage developed erythroderma and one patient with SS died from visceral involvement. The chapter presents staging according to the Mycosis Fungoides Cooperative Group and duration of follow up. Cryostat sections of skin biopsies were labeled by monoclonal antibodies using a two-step indirect immunoperoxidase method. The proportion of reactive cells was graded semiquantitatively from negative to 3+. With progression of the disease, lymphoma cells showed a decreased reactivity with antibodies M-T 6-1, directed against the T-l antigen. Expression of mature T-cell antigens detected by antibodies M-T 151, M-T 321, and Leu 3a was diminished in the advanced stages in two patients.