Background: Large cell transformation (LCT) of Sezary Syndrome (SS) is a rare phenomenon. To date, there are no rigorous studies identifying risk factors for its development.
Objectives: Here, we seek to characterize the clinicopathologic risk factors that predispose patients with SS to develop LCT.
Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all SS patient records available in the Michigan Medicine Cancer Registry from 2010-2021. Clinical and pathologic variables were compared between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to assess overall survival.
Results: Of 28 SS patients identified, eight patients experienced LCT, and 20 did not (NLCT). Peak lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) before LCT (p = 0.0012), maximum total body surface area (TBSA) involvement before LCT (p = 0.0114), absolute CD8+ cell count measured on flow cytometry at diagnosis of SS (p = 0.0455) and at the most recent blood draw (p = 0.00736), and ulceration on biopsy (p = 0.0034) were significant clinicopathologic variables identified between the SS patients that developed LCT versus those that did not.
Conclusions: Maximum TBSA involvement, peak LDH, presence of ulceration, and decreased levels of CD8+ cells in the peripheral blood may predict the development of LCT in patients with SS.
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