A Microenvironment-Related Nine-Gene Signature May Predict Survival in Mycosis Fungoides Patients at Diagnosis

Cells. 2023 Jul 27;12(15):1944. doi: 10.3390/cells12151944.

Abstract

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common cutaneous lymphoma characterized by an indolent course. Prognosis is stage-based but this approach does not reflect the different outcomes within stages. Considering that tumor microenvironment is known to be involved in MF pathogenesis and progression, we decided to investigate 99 MF cases by using the PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel. We identified and validated a signature of 9 genes able to predict MF survival and distinguish a high-risk group with a worse outcome from a low-risk group of cases with a better outcome. At the molecular level, low-risk vs. high-risk cases reported a global upregulation of immune genes, enriched in cytokines, and a higher density of dendritic cells and mast cells, possibly associated with a more favorable clinical course.

Keywords: cutaneous lymphoma; gene expression profiling; microenvironment; mycosis fungoides; prognosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous* / genetics
  • Mycosis Fungoides* / diagnosis
  • Mycosis Fungoides* / genetics
  • Risk Factors
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Associazione Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC), grant 5x1000 Number: 21198.