We have developed and previously reported on a therapeutic vaccination strategy for indolent B-cell lymphoma that combines local radiation to enhance tumor immunogenicity with the injection into the tumor of a TLR9 agonist. As a result, antitumor CD8 ؉ T cells are induced, and systemic tumor regression was documented. Because the vaccination occurs in situ, there is no need to manufacture a vaccine product. We have now explored this strategy in a second disease: mycosis fungoides (MF). We

Primary cutaneous γδ T cell lymphomas (PCGDTLs) represent a heterogeneous group of uncommon but aggressive cancers. Herein, we perform genome-wide DNA, RNA, and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing on 29 cutaneous γδ lymphomas. We find that PCGDTLs are not uniformly derived from Vδ2 cells. Instead, the cell-of-origin depends on the tissue compartment from which the lymphomas are derived. Lymphomas arising from the outer layer of skin are derived from Vδ1 cells, the predominant γδ cell in the epidermis and dermis. In contrast, panniculitic lymphomas arise from Vδ2 cells, the predominant γδ T cell in the fat. We also show that TCR chain usage is non-random, suggesting common antigens for Vδ1 and Vδ2 lymphomas respectively. In addition, Vδ1 and Vδ2 PCGDTLs harbor similar genomic landscapes with potentially targetable oncogenic mutations in the JAK/STAT, MAPK, MYC, and chromatin modification pathways. Collectively, these findings suggest a paradigm for classifying, staging, and treating these diseases.

Cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are a clinically heterogeneous collection of lymphomas of the skin-homing T cell. To identify molecular drivers of disease phenotypes, we assembled a cohort of CTCLs with representative samples from diverse disease subtypes and stages. Via DNA/RNA-sequencing, immunophenotyping, and ex vivo functional assays, we identified the landscape of putative driver genes, elucidated genetic relationships between CTCLs across disease stages, and inferred molecular subtypes in patients with stage-matched leukemic disease. Collectively, our analysis identified 86 putative driver genes, including 19 genes not previously implicated in this disease. 2 mutations have never been previously described for any cancer. Functionally, multiple mutations augment T cell receptor-dependent proliferation, highlighting the importance of this pathway in lymphomagenesis. To identify putative genetic causes of disease heterogeneity, we examined the distribution of driver genes across clinical cohorts. There are broad similarities across disease stages. Many driver genes are shared by mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS). However, there are significantly more structural variants in leukemic disease, leading to highly recurrent deletions of putative tumor suppressors that are uncommon in early-stage skin-centered MF. For example, TP53 is deleted in 7% and 87% of MF and SS, respectively. In both human and mouse samples, PD1 mutations drive aggressive behavior. PD1 wild-type lymphomas show features of T cell exhaustion. PD1 deletions are sufficient to reverse the exhaustion phenotype, promote a FOXM1-driven transcriptional signature, and predict significantly worse survival. Collectively, our findings clarify CTCL genetics and provide novel insights into pathways driving diverse disease phenotypes.

In the CTCL tumor microenvironment, increased immune checkpoint inhibition expression via CD47 bound to SIRPα correlates with a more advanced disease state. Continued success in treating these patients requires further studies on CD47 antagonists, specifically when combined with other antibodies.

Background Mogamulizumab is a humanized antibody against chemokine receptor type 4. It was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for relapsed or refractory mycosis fungoides (MF) and S ezary syndrome (SS). The most commonly reported adverse event in the phase III licensing trial was drug eruption (28%), now termed mogamulizumab-associated rash (MAR). Clinical recommendations about MAR and its treatment differ between the current package insert and postapproval insights reported from two single-centre studies that focused on its characterization, but less so on outcomes and clinicopathological differentiation from cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Objectives To describe our experience in the diagnosis of MAR and treatment of patients with CTCL with mogamulizumab. Methods This is a single-centre retrospective case series study. Results We found a higher incidence of MAR in patients with CTCL (17 of 24, 68%) than previously reported. MAR development is associated with complete (11 of 17) or partial (four of 17) responses, with an overall response rate of 88%, compared with 29% (two of seven) in patients without MAR. Diagnosis of MAR may be obscured by its ability to mimic key CTCL features both clinically and histologically, but an absence of T-cell-receptor clonality and relatively decreased CD4 : CD8 ratio compared with baseline lesions strongly favour MAR over recurrent disease. Conclusions MAR has the potential to create a significant management problem for patients on mogamulizumab. Misidentification of MAR as recurrent CTCL may detrimentally result in the premature discontinuation of mogamulizumab in patients whose disease is historically hard to treat. Thorough clinicopathological investigation of new lesions during treatment with mogamulizumab is required to inform ideal treatment decisions and achieve better outcomes.What is already known about this topic?• Previous descriptions of mogamulizumab-associated rash (MAR) include case reports or series and two subgroup analyses of the mogamulizumab-approving MAVORIC clinical trial.

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CD30 primary cutaneous lymphoproliferative diseases include both lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (PCALCL). The neoplastic cell of most primary CD30 lymphoproliferative disorders is CD4 positive. The terminology LyP "type D" has been used to describe a growing number of cases of LyP with a predominantly CD8 infiltrate. PCALCL with a CD8 phenotype has also been described, which presents a particularly difficult diagnostic and management challenge, given the difficulty in distinguishing it histologically from other cytotoxic lymphomas such as primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8 cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma and CD8 gamma/delta and natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. We report 7 additional cases of these rare cutaneous CD8/CD30 lymphoproliferative disorders. We also present a unique case of CD8/CD30 LyP with histologic similarities to LyP type B. In all 7 of our cases of CD8 LyP and CD8 anaplastic large cell lymphoma, we found focal to diffuse MUM-1 positivity. We propose that MUM-1 may represent an adjunctive marker for CD8 lymphoproliferative disease. Finally, we review the current literature on cases of CD8 LyP and PCALCL. For the 106 cases examined, we found similar clinical and histologic features to those reported for traditional CD4CD30 LyP and PCALCL.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs). Both lack curative options, and advanced-stage carries a poor prognosis. Whilst there are a number of treatments available, achieving and maintaining a durable remission remains challenging. We review current systemic treatment options as monotherapy for advanced-stage MF (IIB-IV), appraising their mechanism of action, analyzing their efficacy, and describing toxicities. Individually, reported overall response rates (ORR) vary widely in the literature and duration of responses are typically short, ranging from 7.5 to 22.4 months. Combined therapy is frequently used in an effort to boost responses, although prospective studies comparing combinations to single agent therapies are rarely conducted. While recent translational research has led to increased understanding of the immunopathogenesis of MF and SS and the development of new treatments, current standard of care therapies are not curative and have low ORR for advanced-stage disease.