PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Goteri, G
AU  - Filosa, A
AU  - Mannello, B
AU  - Stramazzotti, D
AU  - Rupoli, S
AU  - Leoni, P
AU  - Fabris, G
TI  - Density of neoplastic lymphoid infiltrate, CD8+ T cells, and CD1a+ dendritic cells in mycosis fungoides
AID  - 10.1136/jcp.56.6.453
DP  - 2003 Jun 01
TA  - Journal of Clinical Pathology
PG  - 453--458
VI  - 56
IP  - 6
4099  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/56/6/453.short
4100  - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/56/6/453.full
SO  - J Clin Pathol2003 Jun 01; 56
AB  - 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.