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J Clin Pathol 2003;56:453-458 doi:10.1136/jcp.56.6.453
  • Original article

Density of neoplastic lymphoid infiltrate, CD8+ T cells, and CD1a+ dendritic cells in mycosis fungoides

  1. G Goteri1,
  2. A Filosa1,
  3. B Mannello1,
  4. D Stramazzotti1,
  5. S Rupoli2,
  6. P Leoni2,
  7. G Fabris1
  1. 1Institute of Pathology, University of Ancona, School of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Umberto I-Torrette, 60020 Ancona, Italy
  2. 2Department of Haematology, University of Ancona, School of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Umberto I-Torrette
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr G Goteri, Istituto di Anatomia Patologica, Università degli Studi di Ancona, Azienda Ospedaliera Torrette di Ancona, Via Conca, 60020 Ancona, Italy;
 g.goteri{at}ao-umbertoprimo.marche.it
  • Accepted 5 February 2003

Abstract

Background/Aims: CD8+ T cells and epidermal/dermal dendritic cells expressing CD1a are found among neoplastic CD4+ T cells in mycosis fungoides (MF) lesions. This study analysed the relation of CD8+ tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD1a+ epidermal Langerhan’s cells (LCs), and dermal dendritic cells (DDCs) to clinicopathological parameters in 46 MF cases.

Methods: Pretreatment diagnostic biopsy specimens of 46 MF cases were submitted to histological analysis and immunohistochemistry. Four histological grades were defined based on the density of the neoplastic infiltrate: grade 1 (mild superficial perivascular infiltrate), grade 2 (moderate superficial perivascular infiltrate with some tendency to confluence), grade 3 (pronounced superficial band-like infiltrate), and grade 4 (deep nodular infiltrate). Epidermotropism was scored as low, moderate, or high. Numbers of CD8+ T cells and of dermal and epidermal CD1a+ cells were scored as 1 (low), 2 (moderate), and 3 (high). Correlations between these parameters and clinical data (age, sex, clinical type of lesions, stage, response to treatment, and recurrence) were analysed by the χ2 test.

Results: Numbers of TILs and DDCs were associated with subepidermal infiltrates, being lower in less dense infiltrates, whereas there was no association between epidermal CD1a+ cells and the analysed parameters. Complete remission in treated patients was related to subepidermal infiltrates but not to TILs, LCs, or DDCs.

Conclusions: These results support the notion that CD8+ cells and dermal CD1a+ cells are active against tumour cells. MF with low numbers of TILs could represent an early stage of the disease, before TILs are activated against tumour specific antigens.

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