Atypical cutaneous lymphocytic infiltrate and a role for quantitative immunohistochemistry and gene rearrangement studies

• Published in: International journal of dermatology Vol. 38; no. 10; pp. 749 - 756
• Main Authors: Fucich, Lee F., Freeman, Scott F., Boh, Erin E., McBurney, Elizabeth, Marrogi, Aizen J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.10.1999; Blackwell Science; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antigens, CD - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Dermatology; DNA Primers - chemistry; Female; Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor - genetics; Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor - genetics; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunophenotyping; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous - chemistry; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous - genetics; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen - analysis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - analysis; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta - genetics; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta - genetics; Skin Neoplasms - chemistry; Skin Neoplasms - genetics; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - analysis; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Pathology; Skin disease; Cutaneous hematologic disease; T cell receptor; Lymphoproliferative syndrome; T-Lymphocyte; Gene rearrangement; Malignant hemopathy; Skin; Lymphoma
• ISSN: 0011-9059; 1365-4632
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-4362.1999.00809.x

Aim To help clarify the significance of the T‐cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement and its relationship to the immunophenotyping of histologically atypical cutaneous T‐cell lymphoid infiltrates (ACLIs). Materials and methods One hundred and twenty‐four patients presented with lesions clinically suspicious for cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL). The average age was 55.8 years with a mean follow‐up duration of 26.2 months. Cases were classified as malignant (64 cases), inflammatory dermatosis (28 cases), and indeterminate (32 cases), based on follow‐up data and histopathology. Quantitative immunophenotyping with computer‐assisted imaging was performed using immunohistochemical stains of anti‐CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, CD20, CD30, CD56, CD68, Bcl‐2, p53, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results Abnormal immunophenotypic expression in 87.5% of the malignant cases, including CD4 or CD8 predominance (67%), deletion of pan‐T‐cell antigens (16.1%), and activation of antigen/oncogene expression (47%), was observed. In addition, 36 clinically malignant cases displayed rearranged bands by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with TCR β and γ. Two benign cases displayed abnormal immunophenotype and two others showed rearranged bands. All of these patients responded to topical steroid therapy with complete resolution. Nineteen indeterminate cases displayed either rearranged bands or immunophenotypic abnormalities, 15 of which were reclassified as malignant. All but three patients improved after CTCL treatment. Conclusion Quantitative immunophenotyping and gene rearrangement analysis can provide detailed information for classifying ACLIs with 91% diagnostic sensitivity and 87% specificity.