Killer Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor Transcripts Expression for the Diagnosis of Epidermotropic Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma

Background : The most frequent cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are mycosis fungoid and Sezary syndrome. Both are due to the proliferation of a CD4+ T-cell clone in the skin, associated with a blood involvement in Sezary syndrome. Mycosis fungoid clinically presents as a patches or plaques dermatitis and Sezary syndrome as an exfoliative dermatitis. The diagnosis of these lymphomas is difficult using current methods, especially because numerous benign dermatological inflammatory conditions can mimick CTCL both clinically and under microscopic examination. Recently, the KIR receptor CD158k has been shown to be a marker for Sezary syndrome in both the blood and skin. We hypothesize that other receptors from the same family may help fro the diagnosis of these lymphomas.

Aim of the study : to determine if one or a panel of KIR(s) receptor(s) may help for the differential diagnosis between cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and benign inflammatory dermatoses.

Subjects selection : all patients presenting to an investigator, member of the GFELC experts group ("French Group Study Cutaneous Lymphoma"), with either an exfoliative or patch/plaque dermatitis with a clinical suspicion of CTCL will be enrolled.

Number of subjects : A total of 550 patients could be recruited by the GFELC, including 180 CTCL (60 Sezary syndrome and 120 mycosis fungoid) and 370 inflammatory diseases (240 patch dermatitis and 130 exfoliative dermatitis).

Inclusion period : patients will be included during a 2 years period and will be followed during 6 months. Total study length will be 30 months.

Interventions : 1) 3 mm punch skin biopsy for all patients 2) 10 ml blood sample for patients with exfoliative dermatitis Methods : Following initial and 6 month follow-up evaluations, patients will be classified in one of the following groups : the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma group, and the benign inflammatory disease group. The expression of all known KIRs receptors (KIR2DL1 (CD158a), KIR2DL2 (CD158b1), KIR2DL3 (CD158b2), KIR2DL4 (CD158d), KIR2DL5 (CD158f), KIR3DL1 (CD158e1), KIR3DL2 (CD158k), KIR2DS1 (CD158h), KIR2DS2 (CD158j), KIR2DS4 (CD158i), KIR2DS5 (CD158g), KIR3DS1 (CD158e2)) will be evaluated using reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in all skin and blood samples, in a blinded fashion. For blood samples, the analyses will be performed on CD4+ T-cell sorted using magnetic beads.

Outcome measures : The main outcome measure will be the differential expression of one or a panel of KIR(s) receptor(s) between CTCL and benign inflammatory diseases. Secondary outcome measure will be a differential quantitative expression of one or a panel of KIR(s) receptor(s) between the two groups.

Inclusion criteria

• Signed consent
• Subacute/chronic dermatitis (>7 days) with clinical suspicion for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
• No past history of lymphoma or other hematologic malignancy
• Skin biopsy for routine histology at inclusion
• Cutaneous T-cell clonality analysis at inclusion
• Sezary cell count on routine blood smear examination in case of erythroderma
• Blood T-cell clonality analysis at inclusion in case of erythroderma
• Age<18 years
• Skin biopsy for routine histology at inclusion (Possibility, in the 6 previous months of inclusion without any specific treatment other taht local corticoids- amendment n°4)
• Cutaneous T-cell clonality analysis at inclusion (Possibility, in the 6 previous months of inclusion without any specific treatment other taht local corticoids- amendment n°4)
• Realization of a preliminary medical examination
• Sezary cell count on routine blood smear examination in case of erythroderma (Possibility, in the 6 previous months of inclusion without any specific treatment other taht local corticoids- amendment n°4)
• Blood T-cell clonality analysis at inclusion in case of erythroderma (Possibility, in the 6 previous months of inclusion without any specific treatment other taht local corticoids- amendment n°4)

Exclusion criteria

• Adults under tutelage
• Subject not affiliated at the French National health and pensions organization