Brentuximab vedotin in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas: Data from the Spanish Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry.

BACKGROUND: Brentuximab vedotin (BV) has been approved for CD30-expressing cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) after at least one previous systemic treatment. However, real clinical practice is still limited. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the response and tolerance of BV in a cohort of patients with CTCL. METHODS: We analysed CTCL patients treated with BV from the Spanish Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma Registry (RELCP). RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were included. There were 26 females and the mean age at diagnosis was 59 years. Forty-eight were mycosis fungoides (MF), 7 Sézary syndrome (SS) and 12 CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30 LPD). Mean follow-up was 18 months. Thirty patients (45%) showed at least 10% of CD30+ cells among the total lymphocytic infiltrate. The median number of BV infusions received was 7. The overall response rate (ORR) was 67% (63% in MF, 71% in SS and 84% in CD30 LPD). Ten of 14 patients with folliculotropic MF (FMF) achieved complete or partial response (ORR 71%). The median time to response was 2.8 months. During follow-up, 36 cases (54%) experienced cutaneous relapse or progression. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 10.3 months. The most frequent adverse event was peripheral neuropathy (PN) (57%), in most patients (85%), grades 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the efficacy and safety of BV in patients with advanced-stage MF, and CD30 LPD. In addition, patients with FMF and SS also showed a favourable response. Our data suggest that BV retreatment is effective in a proportion of cases.

Activity and safety of topical pimecrolimus in patients with early stage mycosis fungoides (PimTo-MF): a single-arm, multicentre, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: The calcineurin pathway is often activated in mycosis fungoides. We aimed to assess the activity and safety of topical pimecrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor, in patients with early mycosis fungoides. METHODS: PimTo-MF was a single-arm, multicentre, phase 2 trial done at six medical centres in Spain. Patients (aged ≥18 years) had histologically confirmed early mycosis fungoides (stages IA-IIA) and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1. Key exclusion criteria included the use of concurrent treatments for mycosis fungoides, including sunbathing, topical or systemic corticosteroids, and other calcineurin inhibitors. Patients applied topical pimecrolimus 1% cream on their skin lesions twice daily for 16 weeks (1 g per 2% of body surface), with subsequent follow-up of 12 months. Dosage modifications were not allowed. To evaluate adherence to the treatment, patients were instructed to return all empty tubes to the hospital (as per drug accountability protocols). The primary endpoint was the overall response ratein the intention-to-treat population. PimTo-MF is registered with EudraCT, 2014-001377-14, and is complete. FINDINGS: Between March 1, 2015, and Sept 30, 2016, 39 patients were enrolled. All patients were assessable, with a median age of 51·5 years (IQR 45-62), and the population was predominantly male (24 male [62%], 15 female [38%]). Median follow-up after baseline was 5·7 years (IQR 5·7-6·2). 22 (56%) of 39 patients had an overall response (one complete response, 21 partial responses). Responses were observed across IA (14 [54%] of 26 patients) and IB (eight [73%] of 11 patients) clinical stages, but not IIA. Topical pimecrolimus was well tolerated and no patient required a dose reduction or discontinued treatment because of unacceptable drug-related toxicity. No patients were lost to follow-up or discontinued treatment. 13 (33%) of 39 patients reported adverse events; transitory mild burning or pruritus (grade 1) was the most common, seen in eight (21%) patients. In three (8%) of these patients, the burning or pruritus was considered related to treatment. No grade 4 or 5 adverse events were observed. INTERPRETATION: Pimecrolimus 1% cream seems active and safe in patients with early stage mycosis fungoides. Our findings should be taken with caution until long-term follow-up data are obtained that confirm the safety of this treatment. Further controlled clinical trials are warranted to confirm these results. FUNDING: Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the European Regional Development Fund. TRANSLATION: For the Spanish translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptomatology: Which factors interfere with sexuality in women with eating disorders?

Body dissatisfaction is a relevant aspect in both eating disorders and sexuality. Using Stice's model, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between these variables in eating disorder patients compared with healthy controls. Statistically significant correlations between body dissatisfaction and sexuality were found in the whole sample. The clinical group had higher rates of body dissatisfaction and sexual impairment. Within the clinical group, the participants with a greater drive for thinness showed higher sexual dysfunctions. These results suggest that sexuality should be systematically explored in eating disorders. Higher rates of drive for thinness may be associated with greater sexual impairment.

Primary cutaneous vs secondary cutaneous follicular lymphomas: A comparative study focused on BCL2, CD10, and t(14;18) expression.

BACKGROUND: Primary cutaneous follicular center-cell lymphoma (PCFCL) is one of the most common types of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. Differences in immunohistochemical expression of BCL2 and CD10 antigens along with the presence of t(14:18) translocation in neoplastic cells have been postulated as relevant clues in differentiating PCFCL from cutaneous lesions secondary to a systemic follicular lymphoma (SCFL). The aim of this study is to evaluate the significance and usefulness of these parameters in a large series of patients. METHODS: Patients with PCFCL and SCFL diagnosed at three university hospitals in Barcelona, from 2000 to 2015 were reviewed. Clinical, histopathological, immunophenotypical, genetic, and outcome parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-one cases (59 PCFCL and 22 SCFL) were included. There were no significant differences between PCFCL and SCFL cases regarding clinical presentation, site of involvement, or predominant type of skin lesions. Most patients in both groups showed positivity for BCL2 and CD10, but strong expression of BCL2 and CD10 was associated with SCFL cases. Although more frequent in SCFL, a small proportion of PCFCL cases also showed the t(14:18) on FISH analysis. CONCLUSION: The intensity of BCL2 expression was found to be the single most valuable clue in differentiating PCFCL from SCFL cases on histopathological grounds.

Association of APOA5 and APOC3 Genetic Polymorphisms With Severity of Hypertriglyceridemia in Patients With Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Treated With Bexarotene.

Importance: Hypertriglyceridemia is the most frequent and limiting adverse effect of bexarotene therapy in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Despite standard prophylactic measures, there is a wide variability in the severity of this complication, which could be associated with both genetic and environmental factors. Objectives: To analyze the association between genetic polymorphisms of apolipoprotein genes APOA5, APOC3, and APOE and the severity of hypertriglyceridemia during bexarotene therapy and to optimize patient selection for bexarotene therapy based on adverse effect profile. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case series study was conducted in 12 university referral hospitals in Spain from September 17, 2014, to February 6, 2015. One hundred twenty-five patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CTCL who had received bexarotene therapy for at least 3 months were enrolled. Nine patients were excluded owing to missing analytic triglyceride level data, leaving a study group of 116 patients. Data on demographic and cardiovascular risk factor were collected, and a complete blood analysis, including lipid profile and genetic analysis from a saliva sample, was performed. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were the maximal triglyceride levels reported in association with the minor alleles of the polymorphisms studied. Results: Among 116 patients, the mean (SD) age was 61.2 (14.7) years, 69 (59.5%) were men, and 85 (73.2%) had mycosis fungoides, the most prevalent form of CTCL. During bexarotene therapy, 96 patients (82.7%) experienced hypertriglyceridemia, which was severe or extreme in 8 of these patients (8.3%). Patients who carried minor alleles of the polymorphisms did not show significant differences in baseline triglyceride concentrations. After bexarotene treatment, carriers of at least 1 of the 2 minor alleles of APOA5 c.-1131T>C and APOC3 c.*40C>G showed lower levels of triglycerides than noncarriers (mean [SD], 241.59 [169.91] vs 330.97 [169.03] mg/dL, respectively; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance: These results indicate that the screening of APOA5 and APOC3 genotypes may be useful to estimate changes in triglyceride concentrations during bexarotene treatment in patients with CTCL and also to identify the best candidates for bexarotene therapy based on the expected adverse effect profile.

Imatinib and dasatinib as salvage therapy for sclerotic chronic graft-vs-host disease.

AIM: To assess the toxicity, tolerance, steroid-sparing capacity, effectiveness, and response rate to imatinib and dasatinib for the treatment of severe sclerotic chronic graft-vs-host disease (scGVHD). METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 8 consecutive patients with severe refractory scGVHD who received salvage therapy with imatinib. Patients intolerant and/or refractory to imatinib received dasatinib treatment. RESULTS: 7 patients discontinued imatinib treatment (1 achieved complete response, 5 were resistant and/or intolerant, and 1 developed grade IV neutropenia) and 1 patient achieved prolonged partial response, but died due to an infectious complication while on treatment. 5 patients started dasatinib treatment (3 achieved partial responses and discontinued dasatinib, 1 achieved a durable partial response, but died due to a consecutive rapid pulmonary cGVHD progression and 1 with stable disease discontinued treatment due to gastroenteric intolerance). The response rate (partial and/or complete responses) for severe scGVHD was 25% for imatinib and 60% for dasatinib. CONCLUSION: In our series, dasatinib was better tolerated, safer, steroid-sparing, and had a low incidence of infectious complications, which suggests that it may be a more effective therapeutic alternative for patients with refractory scGVHD than imatinib. Treatment of scGVHD with effective antifibrotic drugs such as TKI, which block the kinase fibrotic pathway, may be a safe and effective therapeutic option, but further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Cutaneous Lymphoma International Consortium Study of Outcome in Advanced Stages of Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome: Effect of Specific Prognostic Markers on Survival and Development of a Prognostic Model.

PURPOSE: Advanced-stage mycosis fungoides (MF; stage IIB to IV) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are aggressive lymphomas with a median survival of 1 to 5 years. Clinical management is stage based; however, there is wide range of outcome within stages. Published prognostic studies in MF/SS have been single-center trials. Because of the rarity of MF/SS, only a large collaboration would power a study to identify independent prognostic markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Literature review identified the following 10 candidate markers: stage, age, sex, cutaneous histologic features of folliculotropism, CD30 positivity, proliferation index, large-cell transformation, WBC/lymphocyte count, serum lactate dehydrogenase, and identical T-cell clone in blood and skin. Data were collected at specialist centers on patients diagnosed with advanced-stage MF/SS from 2007. Each parameter recorded at diagnosis was tested against overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Staging data on 1,275 patients with advanced MF/SS from 29 international sites were included for survival analysis. The median OS was 63 months, with 2- and 5-year survival rates of 77% and 52%, respectively. The median OS for patients with stage IIB disease was 68 months, but patients diagnosed with stage III disease had slightly improved survival compared with patients with stage IIB, although patients diagnosed with stage IV disease had significantly worse survival (48 months for stage IVA and 33 months for stage IVB). Of the 10 variables tested, four (stage IV, age > 60 years, large-cell transformation, and increased lactate dehydrogenase) were independent prognostic markers for a worse survival. Combining these four factors in a prognostic index model identified the following three risk groups across stages with significantly different 5-year survival rates: low risk (68%), intermediate risk (44%), and high risk (28%). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this study includes the largest cohort of patients with advanced-stage MF/SS and identifies markers with independent prognostic value, which, used together in a prognostic index, may be useful to stratify advanced-stage patients.

Sensibilidad química múltiple: tratamiento antidepresivo y respuesta clínica en ausencia de trastorno de la personalidad. A propósito de un caso / Multiple chemical sensitivity: antidepressant treatment and clinical response in the absence of personality disorder. A case report

Se define la sensibilidad química múltiple (SQM) como un conjunto de manifestaciones clínicas súbitas ante la exposición a productos químicos a bajas dosis que previamente eran bien toleradas. No existe ninguna prueba analítica, ni exploración complementaria específica de confirmación diagnóstica, y la exploración física es normal. Aunque existe frecuentemente comorbilidad asociada depresiva, en la actualidad la mayoría de los estudios no consideran la SQM como una enfermedad psiquiátrica. No cumple ningún criterio DSM-V o CIE-10, y no se puede incluir como trastorno afectivo, somatomorfo, adaptativo o de la personalidad. Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente diagnosticada de SQM que ha experimentado importante mejoría de los síntomas propios de este trastorno con medicación antidepresiva -tipo ISRS-, permitiendo entrenamiento conductual de afrontamiento ampliamente considerado contraindicado en estos cuadros (AU)

Multiple chemical sensitivity is defined as a set of sudden clinical manifestations on low level exposure to certain chemical previously well-tolerated products. There is no specific analytical test, or complementary examination to confirm the diagnosis, and the physical examination reveals nothing. Although comorbidity is often associated with depression, at present most studies do not consider multiple chemical sensitivity as a psychiatric illness. It does not fulfil the DSM-V or ICD-10 criteria, and may not be included as an affective, somatoform, adaptive or personality disorder. We present the case of a patient diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivity who has shown a great improvement in these symptoms associated to the disorder with antidepressant medications - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), allowing gradual behavioural training of desensitisation, normally considered to be contraindicated in these diseases (AU)

Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: response to treatment and disease-free survival in a series of 137 patients.

BACKGROUND: Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphomas are low-grade lymphomas running an indolent course. Skin relapses have been frequently reported but little information about disease-free survival (DFS) is available. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate relapse rate and DFS in patients with primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphomas. METHODS: Clinical features, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas stage, light chain restriction, clonality, treatments, skin relapses, DFS, stage progression, extracutaneous disease, and outcome are analyzed in a series of 137 patients. RESULTS: Patients were classified as solitary lesion (T1) (n = 70; 51%), regional skin involvement (T2) (n = 40; 29%), and generalized skin lesions (T3) (n = 27; 20%). Surgical excision, local radiotherapy, or a combination were the initial treatment in 118 patients (86%). In 121 of 137 patients (88%) a complete remission was observed after initial treatment, including 99 of 106 patients (93%) with solitary or localized disease and 22 of 31 patients (71%) with multifocal lesions. Cutaneous relapses were observed in 53 patients (44%). Median DFS was 47 months. Patients with multifocal lesions or T3 disease showed higher relapse rate and shorter DFS. No significant differences were observed between surgery and radiotherapy, but surgery alone was associated with more recurrences at initial site. Overall survival at 5 and 10 years was 93%. Six patients (4%) developed extracutaneous disease during follow-up. LIMITATIONS: This was a case series retrospective study. CONCLUSION: Our results support long-term follow-up in patients with primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphomas. Disseminated skin lesions have higher relapse rate and shorter DFS suggesting further investigation on systemic therapies in such a group of patients.

Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type and secondary cutaneous involvement by testicular B-cell lymphoma share identical clinicopathological and immunophenotypical features.

BACKGROUND: Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PCDLBCL), leg type can eventually disseminate to extracutaneous sites including testes. In addition, patients with testicular lymphoma can develop specific skin involvement. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe similarities between PCDLBCL, leg type and testicular B-cell lymphoma affecting the skin. METHODS: We report two cases with typical clinicopathological and immunophenotypical features of leg type lymphoma occurring simultaneously with a testicular B-cell lymphoma. We also report an additional case of PCDLBCL, leg type with secondary testicular involvement. RESULTS: All cases presented with typical red tumors exclusively located on the legs. Histologically, all cases showed a diffuse nonepidermotropic infiltrate composed of large blastic cells mainly centroblastic type. Phenotype showed strong positivity for Bcl-2, MUM-1, and FOXP1. Epstein-Barr virus stains and CD30 were negative in the 3 cases. In all cases the testicular infiltration showed the same pathological and phenotypical changes to those observed in the skin. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective case series study. CONCLUSION: Skin involvement by testicular B-cell lymphomas and PCDLBCL, leg type are indistinguishable on the basis of pathologic and immunophenotypical features, therefore specific investigation and clinic correlation are needed.

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides: clinicopathological features and outcome in a series of 20 cases.

BACKGROUND: Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (MF) is a rare variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in which the neoplastic T lymphocytes display tropism for the follicular epithelium. OBJECTIVES: To better categorize this rare form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma we evaluated the clinical, pathological, and immunophenotypic findings, and the response to therapy and course of the disease. METHODS: Folliculotropic MF cases were selected from the registry of the Thematic Network of Cutaneous Lymphoma of Barcelona (Spain) from 1988 to 2007. RESULTS: Twenty patients (11 male, 9 female) with a mean age of 54 years were included. Mean follow-up time was 43 months. The most common sites of involvement were the head and neck (80%), upper extremities, and thorax. Infiltrated plaques (55%), acneiform lesions (comedo-like and epidermal cysts) (45%), and follicular keratosis-pilaris-like lesions (45%) were the more prominent features. Histopathological findings included selective infiltration of the follicular epithelium by atypical lymphocytes in all cases. Mucinous degeneration of the follicular epithelium occurred in 60% of cases. Psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy was the treatment of choice in the majority of patients, but these patients did not respond as well as patients with classic MF. Radiotherapy (local or total skin electron beam) was found to be the most effective treatment. A good response to bexarotene was seen in some patients. LIMITATION: This was a case series descriptive study. CONCLUSIONS: Folliculotropic MF is a rare but well-defined clinicopathological variant of MF. Although refractory to standard therapies used in classic MF, most of our patients showed only slow disease progression.

Oligonucleotide array-CGH identifies genomic subgroups and prognostic markers for tumor stage mycosis fungoides.

Mycosis fungoide (MF) patients who develop tumors or extracutaneous involvement usually have a poor prognosis with no curative therapy available so far. In the present European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) multicenter study, the genomic profile of 41 skin biopsies from tumor stage MF (MFt) was analyzed using a high-resolution oligo-array comparative genomic hybridization platform. Seventy-six percent of cases showed genomic aberrations. The most common imbalances were gains of 7q33.3q35 followed by 17q21.1, 8q24.21, 9q34qter, and 10p14 and losses of 9p21.3 followed by 9q31.2, 17p13.1, 13q14.11, 6q21.3, 10p11.22, 16q23.2, and 16q24.3. Three specific chromosomal regions, 9p21.3, 8q24.21, and 10q26qter, were defined as prognostic markers showing a significant correlation with overall survival (OS) (P=0.042, 0.017, and 0.022, respectively). Moreover, we have established two MFt genomic subgroups distinguishing a stable group (0-5 DNA aberrations) and an unstable group (>5 DNA aberrations), showing that the genomic unstable group had a shorter OS (P=0.05). We therefore conclude that specific chromosomal abnormalities, such as gains of 8q24.21 (MYC) and losses of 9p21.3 (CDKN2A, CDKN2B, and MTAP) and 10q26qter (MGMT and EBF3) may have an important role in prognosis. In addition, we describe the MFt genomic instability profile, which, to our knowledge, has not been reported earlier.

Glossitis with linear lesions: an early sign of vitamin B12 deficiency.

The classic oral manifestations of vitamin B(12) deficiency are considered nonspecific. We describe 4 patients with oral linear lesions associated with vitamin B(12) deficiency. Patients were free of neurologic symptoms and anemia at diagnosis. We believe that glossitis with linear lesions is an early clinical sign of vitamin B(12) deficiency. We recommend the determination of vitamin B(12) in such patients, even in the absence of anemia.

Cholesterol embolism: still an unrecognized entity with a high mortality rate.

BACKGROUND: Cholesterol embolism (CE) is an increasingly common but often underdiagnosed medical problem. The recognition of clinical manifestations of CE is the first step toward a correct diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to characterize the features of CE and the risk factors for fatal outcome. METHODS: Clinical records of patients with clinical and histopathologic diagnoses of CE seen from January 1993 through March 2003 were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-six male patients were identified. Mean age was 64 years (range, 48-88 years). All patients had two or more risk factors for atherosclerosis. All but one patient had preexisting symptomatic atherosclerotic disease. At least one precipitating factor was identified in 23 patients (88%). Diagnosis of CE at admission was made in 9 patients only (35%). Cutaneous lesions (88%) and renal failure (73%) were the most common clinical findings. Complications (dialysis, acute pulmonary edema, amputation, or gastrointestinal surgery) were present in 21 patients (81%), and 15 patients died (58%). Previous chronic renal failure was the only variable associated with mortality (relative risk: 4.54, 95% confidence interval 1.26-16.6; P = .02). LIMITATIONS: The results were obtained from patients admitted to a university hospital. This fact may have selected a higher proportion of severe cases. CONCLUSIONS: CE was frequently misdiagnosed. Skin lesions were the most common clinical findings and skin biopsy provided histologic confirmation in most of the patients. Chronic renal failure was the only factor related to death.