Prevalence of T-cell antigen losses in mycosis fungoides and CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferations in a series of 153 patients

Mycosis fungoides (MF) and primary cutaneous CD30-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30LPD) are the most frequent primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. Our objective was to study pan-T-cell antigens and PD-1 expression in a large cohort of MF and CD30LPD with a special interest in antigen losses as a diagnostic tool. We retrospectively reviewed 160 consecutive samples from 153 patients over a 3 year period, including 104 with MF and 49 with CD30LPD. As controls, benign inflammatory dermatoses (BID, n=19) were studied. A semiquantitative evaluation of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8 expression was performed. PD-1 and double stainings (CD3+CD7 and PD-1+CD7) were performed in a subset of MF cases. CD8+ MF was frequent (23%) and CD7 was the most frequently lost antigen in both MF (45%) and CD30LPD (86%), while no significant T-cell antigen loss was observed in BID. CD7 loss was less frequent in folliculotropic MF (p<0.001). PD-1 was variably expressed in MF with no differences with BID. The CD3+/CD7- and PD-1+/CD7- neoplastic lymphocytes were highlighted by the use of chromogenic double staining experiments in MF with a CD7 loss identified with single staining. Multiple pan T-cell antigen losses were mostly seen in CD30LPD with CD2 being the most frequently preserved marker (90%). While PD-1 does not discriminate between MF and BID, CD7 is frequently lost in MF infiltrates as well as other pan-T-cell antigens in CD30LPD, which can be used as routine markers for diagnosis. We recommend the use of CD7 in addition to CD3, CD4 and CD8 as a minimal immunohistochemical panel for MF assessment, and the use of double stainings for CD3 and CD7 in difficult cases.

Automated summary

The study investigated T-cell antigens and PD-1 expression in Mycosis fungoides (MF) and primary cutaneous CD30-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30LPD), with a focus on antigen losses as a diagnostic tool. Results showed that CD7 was the most frequently lost antigen in both MF and CD30LPD, and could be used as a routine marker for diagnosis.