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Genetic markers associated with progression in early mycosis fungoides
Author(s) -
Johnson V.E.,
Vonderheid E.C.,
Hess A.D.,
Eischen C.M.,
McGirt L.Y.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/jdv.12299
Subject(s) - mycosis fungoides , medicine , malignancy , biopsy , disease , stage (stratigraphy) , pathology , skin biopsy , dermatology , oncology , lymphoma , paleontology , biology
Background Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare, but potentially devastating malignancy. It classically presents with cutaneous patches and plaques and can progress to tumours on the skin with lymph node, blood and visceral involvement. While most patients with MF have a relatively benign disease course, a subset of patients will develop progressive disease that is often fatal. Objective The aim of this study was to identify genetic markers in early MF limited to the skin (stages IA ‐ IIA ) that distinguish those patients who will have progressive disease from those who will not, so that early appropriate treatment may be instituted. Methods The study includes 18 patients who were diagnosed with early stage MF at the time of biopsy and had follow‐up to determine which patients developed progressive disease. RNA was extracted from skin biopsy specimens and analysed for expression of CD 3, FOXP 3, IFN γ, Interleukin ( IL )‐4, IL ‐13, KIR 3 DL 2, MICB , PLS 3 and STAT 4 by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results/Conclusions Reduced expression of FOXP 3 and STAT 4 and increased expression of IL ‐4 relative to CD 3 expression levels were significantly associated with MF progression. Further studies will be needed to fully assess the usefulness of these genetic markers to predict disease progression and guide treatment options in patients diagnosed with early MF .