Immunophenotyping and T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement analysis as an adjunct to the histopathologic diagnosis of mycosis fungoides.
BACKGROUND
The histopathologic diagnosis of mycosis fungoides (MF) may be difficult.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate the role of immunophenotyping and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement studies as an adjunct to the histopathologic diagnosis of MF.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical studies with antibodies to CD4, CD5, CD7, and CD8 and TCR gamma gene rearrangement analysis with a polymerase chain reaction were performed on fresh-frozen material of patients with "classic" histology of MF, "inconclusive" histology, and benign inflammatory dermatoses.


RESULTS
Clonal TCR gamma gene rearrangements were found in 11 of 16 (69%) of classic MF cases, in 3 of 19 (16%) of inconclusive cases, and in none of the 12 inflammatory dermatoses cases (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively). Only the mean CD7 counts were statistically significantly different between these 3 groups (MF < inconclusive < inflammatory).


CONCLUSIONS
Inconclusive histology is probably a heterogeneous group in which CD7 counts and TCR gamma gene rearrangement studies might help to differentiate the MF cases from the benign cases.
Bergman
R
R
Department of Dermatology, Rambam Medical Center, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa.
Faclieru
D
D
Sahar
D
D
Sander
C A
CA
Kerner
H
H
Ben-Aryeh
Y
Y
Manov
L
L
Hertz
E
E
Sabo
E
E
Friedman-Birnbaum
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D015334:Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D019675:Genes, T-Cell Receptor gamma; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology