Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma expressing FOXP3: a case report supporting the existence of malignancies of regulatory T cells

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 Aug;61(2):348-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.11.894.

Abstract

Regulatory T (Treg) cells, which represent 5% to 10% of peripheral T cells, regulate the activities of T-cell subsets by performing immunosuppressive functions and thus preventing the development of autoimmune responses. The majority of Treg cells are CD4+, CD25+, and FOXP3+. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the tumor cells in adult T-cell leukemia lymphomas can function as Treg, raising the question of whether any variant of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma may also express a regulatory phenotype. We describe an extraordinary case of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma clinically characterized by protean cutaneous manifestations and histologically showing a pattern consistent with epidermotropic pleomorphic medium-/large-cell primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The majority of neoplastic cells were CD4+ CD25+ T cells and strongly expressed FOXP3. With this background, the current case, characterized by an aggressive course requiring polychemotherapy, may support the existence of lymphoproliferative malignancies of Treg cells.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / immunology
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / pathology*
  • Male
  • Risk Assessment
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors