Future directions for pentostatin (Nipent) usage in dermatology.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a dynamic disease with several distinct components that make it unique from other lymphomas. The components of CTCL are reviewed to provide a background for understanding the role of pentostatin (Nipent; SuperGen, San Ramon, CA) in CTCL. In CTCL the malignant T cells mimic and eventually replace their nonmalignant counterparts. This enhances the need for targeting T cells with therapy that preferentially eliminates CTCL cells while sparing nonmalignant cells. Given the similarities of CTCL with T-cell mediated chronic inflammatory diseases, therapies used for this lymphoma also may play a role in nonmalignant disease management.
Heald
P
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Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015649:Pentostatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015649:Pentostatin