Open AccessHigh Expression of IKZF2 in Malignant T Cells Promotes Disease Progression in Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma
Author(s) -
Bufang Xu,
Fengjie Liu,
Yumei Gao,
Jingru Sun,
Yingyi Li,
Yueqiang Lin,
Xiangjun Liu,
Yujie Wen,
Shengguo Yi,
Jingyang Dang,
Ping Tu,
Yang Wang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta dermato-venereologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1651-2057
pISSN - 0001-5555
DOI - 10.2340/actadv.v101.570
Subject(s) - mycosis fungoides , lymphoma , cutaneous t cell lymphoma , t cell , cancer research , medicine , immune system , cytokine , immunology , biology
Cutaneous T cell lymphoma is a generally indolent disease derived from skin-homing mature T cells. However, in advanced stages, cutaneous T cell lymphoma may manifest aggressive clinical behaviour and lead to a poor prognosis. The mechanism of disease progression in cutaneous T cell lymphoma remains unknown. This study, based on a large clinical cohort, found that IKZF2, an essential transcription factor during T cell development and differentiation, showed stage- dependent overexpression in the malignant T cells in mycosis fungoides lesions. IKZF2 is specifically over- expressed in advanced-stage mycosis fungoides lesions, and correlates with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, overexpression of IKZF2 promotes cutaneous T cell lymphoma progression via inhibiting malignant cell apoptosis and may contribute to tumour immune escape by downregulating major histocompatibility complex II molecules and up-regulating the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 by malignant T cells. These results demonstrate the important role of IKZF2 in high-risk cutaneous T cell lymphoma and pave the way for future targeted therapy.