Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: a single-center experience. Clinical characterization, mutational landscape, and clinical outcome of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation intensive therapy.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare and aggressive hematodermic neoplasm usually involving the skin. In this retrospective case series, 10 cases of BPDCN were identified, 90% of which had skin involvement and exhibited predominantly violaceous nodules and/or bruise-like plaques. Skin lesions showed diffuse or nodular dermal-based infiltrates of intermediate sized blasts with a grenz zone. Tumor immunophenotyping was CD4(+), CD56(+), CD123(+) and CD303(+). The most frequently mutated genes according to targeted next-generation sequencing were TET2 (3/7) and NRAS (2/7). Multiagent chemotherapy (CT) was administered as first-line therapy, and a total of 5 patients underwent allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Better outcomes were observed in younger patients and those treated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)-like CT followed by allo-HSCT. This study shows the clinical range of cutaneous lesions of BPDCN. Despite the absence of a gold standard therapy, patients treated with myeloablative intensive regimens and allo-HSCT seem to have a more favorable prognosis.

Treatment of early-stage mycosis fungoides: results from the PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) study.

BACKGROUND: The PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) study is a prospective analysis of an international database. Here we examine front-line treatments and quality of life (QoL) in patients with newly diagnosed mycosis fungoides (MF). OBJECTIVES: To identify (i) differences in first-line approaches according to tumour-nodes-metastasis-blood (TNMB) staging; (ii) parameters related to a first-line systemic approach and (iii) response rates and QoL measures. METHODS: In total, 395 newly diagnosed patients with early-stage MF (stage IA-IIA) were recruited from 41 centres in 17 countries between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018 following central clinicopathological review. RESULTS: The most common first-line therapy was skin-directed therapy (SDT) (322 cases, 81·5%), while a smaller percentage (44 cases, 11·1%) received systemic therapy. Expectant observation was used in 7·3%. In univariate analysis, the use of systemic therapy was significantly associated with higher clinical stage (IA, 6%; IB, 14%; IIA, 20%; IA-IB vs. IIA, P < 0·001), presence of plaques (T1a/T2a, 5%; T1b/T2b, 17%; P < 0·001), higher modified Severity Weighted Assessment Tool (> 10, 15%; ≤ 10, 7%; P = 0·01) and folliculotropic MF (FMF) (24% vs. 12%, P = 0·001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated significant associations with the presence of plaques (T1b/T2b vs. T1a/T2a, odds ratio 3·07) and FMF (odds ratio 2·83). The overall response rate (ORR) to first-line SDT was 73%, while the ORR to first-line systemic treatments was lower (57%) (P = 0·027). Health-related QoL improved significantly both in patients with responsive disease and in those with stable disease. CONCLUSIONS: Disease characteristics such as presence of plaques and FMF influence physician treatment choices, and SDT was superior to systemic therapy even in patients with such disease characteristics. Consequently, future treatment guidelines for early-stage MF need to address these issues.

Should we be imaging lymph nodes at initial diagnosis of early-stage mycosis fungoides? Results from the PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) international study.

BACKGROUND: Early-stage mycosis fungoides (MF) includes involvement of dermatopathic lymph nodes (LNs) or early lymphomatous LNs. There is a lack of unanimity among current guidelines regarding the indications for initial staging imaging in early-stage presentation of MF in the absence of enlarged palpable LNs. OBJECTIVES: To investigate how often imaging is performed in patients with early-stage presentation of MF, to assess the yield of LN imaging, and to determine what disease characteristics promoted imaging. METHODS: A review of clinicopathologically confirmed newly diagnosed patients with cutaneous patch/plaque (T1/T2) MF from PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) data. RESULTS: PROCLIPI enrolled 375 patients with stage T1/T2 MF: 304 with classical MF and 71 with folliculotropic MF. Imaging was performed in 169 patients (45%): 83 with computed tomography, 18 with positron emission tomography-computed tomography and 68 with ultrasound. Only nine of these (5%) had palpable enlarged (≥ 15 mm) LNs, with an over-representation of plaques, irrespectively of the 10% body surface area cutoff that distinguishes T1 from T2. Folliculotropic MF was not more frequently imaged than classical MF. Radiologically enlarged LNs (≥ 15 mm) were detected in 30 patients (18%); only seven had clinical lymphadenopathy. On multivariate analysis, plaque presentation was the sole parameter significantly associated with radiologically enlarged LNs. Imaging of only clinically enlarged LNs upstaged 4% of patients (seven of 169) to at least IIA, whereas nonselective imaging upstaged another 14% (24 of 169). LN biopsy, performed in eight of 30 patients, identified N3 (extensive lymphomatous involvement) in two and N1 (dermatopathic changes) in six. CONCLUSIONS: Physical examination was a poor determinant of LN enlargement or involvement. Presence of plaques was associated with a significant increase in identification of enlarged or involved LNs in patients with early-stage presentation of MF, which may be important when deciding who to image. Imaging increases the detection rate of stage IIA MF, and identifies rare cases of extensive lymphomatous nodes, upstaging them to advanced-stage IVA2.

Characteristics associated with significantly worse quality of life in mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome from the Prospective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) study.

BACKGROUND: Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary Syndrome (SS) are the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. MF/SS is accompanied by considerable morbidity from pain, itching and disfigurement. AIM: To identify factors associated with poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients newly diagnosed with MF/SS. METHODS: Patients enrolled into Prospective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI; an international observational study in MF/SS) had their HRQoL assessed using the Skindex-29 questionnaire. Skindex-29 scores were analysed in relation to patient- and disease-specific characteristics. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 237 patients [60·3% male; median age 60 years, (interquartile range 49-70)], of whom 179 had early MF and 58 had advanced MF/SS. In univariate analysis, HRQoL, as measured by Skindex-29, was worse in women, SS, late-stage MF, those with elevated lactate dehydrogenase, alopecia, high modified Severity Weighted Assessment Tool and confluent erythema. Linear regression models only identified female gender (ß = 8·61; P = 0·003) and alopecia (ß = 9·71, P = 0·02) as independent predictors of worse global HRQoL. Item-level analysis showed that the severe impairment in symptoms [odds ratio (OR) 2·14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·19-3·89] and emotions (OR 1·88, 95% CI 1·09-3·27) subscale scores seen in women was caused by more burning/stinging, pruritus, irritation and greater feelings of depression, shame, embarrassment and annoyance with their diagnosis of MF/SS. CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL is significantly more impaired in newly diagnosed women with MF/SS and in those with alopecia. As Skindex-29 does not include existential questions on cancer, which may cause additional worry and distress, a comprehensive validated cutaneous T-cell lymphoma-specific questionnaire is urgently needed to more accurately assess disease-specific HRQoL in these patients. What's already known about this topic? Cross-sectional studies of mixed populations of known and newly diagnosed patients with mycosis fungoides (MF)/Sézary syndrome (SS) have shown significant impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Previous studies on assessing gender-specific differences in HRQoL in MF/SS are conflicting. More advanced-stage disease and pruritus is associated with poorer HRQoL in patients with MF/SS. What does this study add? This is the first prospective study to investigate HRQoL in a homogenous group of newly diagnosed patients with MF/SS. In patients newly diagnosed with MF/SS, HRQoL is worse in women and in those with alopecia and confluent erythema. MF/SS diagnosis has a multidimensional impact on patient HRQoL, including a large burden of cutaneous symptoms, as well as a negative impact on emotional well-being.

Prognostic factors in patients with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a multicentric, retrospective analysis of the Spanish Group of Cutaneous Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Reliable prognostic factors for patients with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PCALCL) are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To identify prognostic factors for specific survival in patients with PCALCL. METHODS: Using the convenience sampling method, patients with PCALCL diagnosed from May 1986 to August 2017 in 16 University Departments were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: One hundred eight patients were included (57 males). Median age at diagnosis was 58 years. All of them showed T1-3N0M0 stages. Seventy per cent of the cases presented with a solitary lesion, mostly at the limbs. Complete response rate after first-line treatment was 87%, and no advantage was observed for any of them (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other approaches). Nodal and visceral progression rate was 11% and 2%, respectively. 5-year specific survival (SSV) reached 93%; 97% for T1 patients and 84% for T2/T3 patients (P = 0.031). Five-year SSV for patients developing early cutaneous relapse was 64%; for those with late or no relapse, 96% (P = 0.001). Estimated median SSV for patients showing nodal progression was 103 months (95% CI: 51-155 months); for patients without nodal progression, estimated SSV did not reach the median (P < 0.001). Nodal progression was an independent predictive parameter for shorter survival (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Multiple cutaneous lesions at presentation, early skin relapse and nodal progression portrait worse prognosis in patients with PCALCL.

The PROCLIPI international registry of early-stage mycosis fungoides identifies substantial diagnostic delay in most patients.

BACKGROUND: Survival in mycosis fungoides (MF) is varied and may be poor. The PROCLIPI (PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index) study is a web-based data collection system for early-stage MF with legal data-sharing agreements permitting international collaboration in a rare cancer with complex pathology. Clinicopathological data must be 100% complete and in-built intelligence in the database system ensures accurate staging. OBJECTIVES: To develop a prognostic index for MF. METHODS: Predefined datasets for clinical, haematological, radiological, immunohistochemical, genotypic, treatment and quality of life are collected at first diagnosis of MF and annually to test against survival. Biobanked tissue samples are recorded within a Federated Biobank for translational studies. RESULTS: In total, 430 patients were enrolled from 29 centres in 15 countries spanning five continents. Altogether, 348 were confirmed as having early-stage MF at central review. The majority had classical MF (81·6%) with a CD4 phenotype (88·2%). Folliculotropic MF was diagnosed in 17·8%. Most presented with stage I (IA: 49·4%; IB: 42·8%), but 7·8% presented with enlarged lymph nodes (stage IIA). A diagnostic delay between first symptom development and initial diagnosis was frequent [85·6%; median delay 36 months (interquartile range 12-90)]. This highlights the difficulties in accurate diagnosis, which includes lack of a singular diagnostic test for MF. CONCLUSIONS: This confirmed early-stage MF cohort is being followed-up to identify prognostic factors, which may allow better management and improve survival by identifying patients at risk of disease progression. This study design is a useful model for collaboration in other rare diseases, especially where pathological diagnosis can be complex.

First-line treatment in lymphomatoid papulosis: a retrospective multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding response to treatment in lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) are scarce. AIM: To assess the daily clinical practice approach to LyP and the response to first-line treatments. METHODS: This was a retrospective study enrolling 252 patients with LyP. RESULTS: Topical steroids, methotrexate and phototherapy were the most common first-line treatments, prescribed for 35%, 20% and 14% of the patients, respectively. Complete response (CR) was achieved in 48% of treated patients. Eczematous lesions significantly increased relative risk (RR) of not achieving CR (RR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.16-2.11). Overall median time to CR was 10 months (95% CI 6-13 months), and 78% of complete responders showed cutaneous relapse; both results were similar for all treatment groups (P > 0.05). Overall estimated median disease-free survival (DFS) was 11 months (95% CI 9-13 months) but DFS for patients treated with phototherapy was 23 months (95% CI 10-36 months; P < 0.03). Having the Type A LyP variant (RR = 2.04; 95% CI 0.96-4.30) and receiving a first-line treatment other than phototherapy (RR = 5.33; 95% CI 0.84-33.89) were significantly associated with cutaneous early relapse. Of the 252 patients, 31 (13%) had associated mycosis fungoides unrelated to therapeutic approach, type of LyP or T-cell receptor clonality. CONCLUSIONS: Current epidemiological, clinical and pathological data support previous results. Topical steroids, phototherapy and methotrexate are the most frequently prescribed first-line treatments. Although CR and cutaneous relapse rates do not differ between them, phototherapy achieves a longer DFS. Presence of Type A LyP and use of topical steroid or methotrexate were associated with an increased risk of early relapse.

Global patterns of care in advanced stage mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome: a multicenter retrospective follow-up study from the Cutaneous Lymphoma International Consortium.

BACKGROUND: Advanced-stage mycosis fungoides (MF)/Sézary syndrome (SS) patients are weighted by an unfavorable prognosis and share an unmet clinical need of effective treatments. International guidelines are available detailing treatment options for the different stages but without recommending treatments in any particular order due to lack of comparative trials. The aims of this second CLIC study were to retrospectively analyze the pattern of care worldwide for advanced-stage MF/SS patients, the distribution of treatments according to geographical areas (USA versus non-USA), and whether the heterogeneity of approaches has potential impact on survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 853 patients from 21 specialist centers (14 European, 4 USA, 1 each Australian, Brazilian, and Japanese). RESULTS: Heterogeneity of treatment approaches was found, with up to 24 different modalities or combinations used as first-line and 36% of patients receiving four or more treatments. Stage IIB disease was most frequently treated by total-skin-electron-beam radiotherapy, bexarotene and gemcitabine; erythrodermic and SS patients by extracorporeal photochemotherapy, and stage IVA2 by polychemotherapy. Significant differences were found between USA and non-USA centers, with bexarotene, photopheresis and histone deacetylase inhibitors most frequently prescribed for first-line treatment in USA while phototherapy, interferon, chlorambucil and gemcitabine in non-USA centers. These differences did not significantly impact on survival. However, when considering death and therapy change as competing risk events and the impact of first treatment line on both events, both monochemotherapy (SHR = 2.07) and polychemotherapy (SHR = 1.69) showed elevated relative risks. CONCLUSION: This large multicenter retrospective study shows that there exist a large treatment heterogeneity in advanced MF/SS and differences between USA and non-USA centers but these were not related to survival, while our data reveal that chemotherapy as first treatment is associated with a higher risk of death and/or change of therapy and thus other therapeutic options should be preferable as first treatment approach.

Core Content for Undergraduate Medical Education in Spain: Recommendations of the Instructors' Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV).

BACKGROUND: Skin problems are among the most frequent reasons for seeking medical attention in primary care. In recent years, as a result of the process of adapting medical curricula to the requirements of the European Higher Education Area, the amount of time students spend learning the concepts of dermatology has been reduced in many universities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to reach a consensus on core content for undergraduate education in dermatology, we sent a survey to the 57 members of the instructors' group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV), asking their opinions on what objectives should be set for a dermatology course in Spain. A total of 131 previously selected objectives were listed. We then applied the Delphi method to achieve consensus on which ones the respondents considered important or very important (score≥4 on a Likert scale). RESULTS: Nineteen responses (33%) were received. On the second round of the Delphi process, 68 objectives achieved average scores of at least 4. The respondents emphasized that graduates should understand the structure and functions of the skin and know about bacterial, viral, and fungal skin infections, the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and the 4 main inflammatory dermatoses. Students should also learn about common complaints, such as itching and bald patches; the management of dermatologic emergencies; purpura and erythema nodosum as signs of internal disease; and the prevention of STDs and skin cancer. During clinical clerkships students should acquire the communication skills they will need to interview patients, write up a patient's medical history, and refer the patient to a specialist. CONCLUSIONS: The AEDV's group of instructors have defined their recommendations on the core content that medical faculties should adopt for the undergraduate subject of dermatology in Spain.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis: 20 years' experience in a Spanish tertiary care hospital.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of leishmaniasis, which is endemic in Spain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cutaneous leishmaniasis seen in our hospital over a period of 20 years, with a particular focus on clinical differences according to immune status and origin of infection MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a chart review of 67 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosed between 1992 and 2012. Follow-up data were available for 54 patients. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were included in the study. Of these, 26 had been diagnosed between 1992 and 2002 and 28 between 2003 and 2012. The mean age at diagnosis was 49 years, there was a predominance of male patients, and the mean time from onset of symptoms to consultation was 3 months. The most common clinical manifestations were plaques and ulcers. Most of the immunodepressed patients and patients with imported leishmaniasis had skin ulcers and/or multiple lesions. During the first decade of the study, diagnosis was based on clinical and histologic findings. These were supported by molecular techniques in the second decade. Pentavalent antimonials were the treatment of choice, producing good results and very few adverse effects CONCLUSION: The number of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis and with compromised immune status was similar in the periods 1992-2002 and 2003-2013, but more cases of imported leishmaniasis were diagnosed in the second period. Patients with ulcers and/or multiple lesions should be evaluated to rule out immunosuppression or infection by Leishmania species from other parts of the world. Both systemic and intralesional meglumine antimonate was effective and safe.

Intralesional rituximab in the treatment of indolent primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas: an epidemiological observational multicentre study. The Spanish Working Group on Cutaneous Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous rituximab is a safe and effective option for the treatment of systemic non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma. The effectiveness of intralesional rituximab (ILR) in primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (PCBL) has been described in a small number of patients. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness, tolerance and adverse effects of ILR in patients with follicle centre (FCL) and marginal zone (MZL) PCBL. METHODS: This was an epidemiological observational multicentre study of patients with PCBL treated with ILR. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with MZL and 18 with FCL PCBL were included. The median number of lesions treated was two per patient. The treatment regimen used in 74% of the patients was a course of three injections in a single week at 1-month intervals. The dose per lesion and day of treatment was 10 mg in 71% of the patients. The median cumulative dose of rituximab per lesion was 60 mg (range 13-270) and per patient was 150 mg (range 20-360 mg). Complete response (CR) and partial response were achieved in 71% and 23% of patients, respectively. The median time to CR in patients who received 10 mg of ILR per lesion was 8 weeks. Similar response rates were observed in MZL and FCL. Median disease-free survival was 114·1 weeks. No parameters that significantly predicted CR were identified. Adverse reactions were recorded in 19 patients; the most frequent was localized pain at the injection site. Median follow-up was 21 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional rituximab is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for FCL and MZL PCBL. It should be considered a useful alternative in patients with recurrent lesions and in which the sequelae of radiotherapy or surgery would be significant.

Cutaneous lymphomas showing prominent granulomatous component: clinicopathological features in a series of 16 cases.

BACKGROUND: The presence of a prominent granulomatous tissue reaction in skin biopsies from primary cutaneous or systemic malignant lymphomas with secondary cutaneous involvement is a rare but well-known phenomenon. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to characterize and study a series of cutaneous lymphomas showing a prominent granulomatous component. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical, histopathological and evolutive features of granulomatous variants of mycosis fungoides (5 patients, 2 of them associating 'granulomatous slack skin' features), Sézary syndrome (1 patient), CD30(+) cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (2 patients), CD4(+) small/medium pleomorphic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (1 patient), primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (3 patients) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma with secondary epithelioid granulomatous cutaneous involvement (4 patients) were reviewed. RESULTS: The observed features were clinically non-distinctive. Only those cases presenting with granulomatous slack skin features were clinically suspected (2 patients). Non-necrotizing granulomata (11 patients) and granuloma annulare-like (4 patients) were the most frequently observed histopathological patterns. In five cases, no diagnostic lymphomatous involvement was initially observed. From our series, no definite conclusions regarding prognosis could be established. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of cutaneous lymphoma may be difficult when a prominent cutaneous granulomatous inflammatory infiltrate obscures the true neoplastic nature of the condition. However, the presence of concomitant lymphoid atypia may help to suspect the diagnosis. In doubtful cases, the clinical evolution and the demonstration of a monoclonal lymphoid B- or T-cell population may lead to a definite diagnosis.