Lack of apoptosis of Sézary cells in the circulation following oral bexarotene therapy.
BACKGROUND
Apoptosis of malignant cells has been suggested as an important mechanism of the action of bexarotene in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to examine the in vivo and in vitro responses of patients with Sézary syndrome treated with oral bexarotene and assess them for apoptosis of the Sézary cells.


METHODS
Six patients with CTCL with circulating Sézary cells, participating in a clinical trial of oral bexarotene (300 mg m(-2) daily) were included in the study. Peripheral blood from the patients was analysed for in vivo and in vitro apoptosis.


RESULTS
None of the six patients demonstrated in vivo apoptosis. In vitro apoptosis of Sézary cells was demonstrated in one patient following exogenous bexarotene.


CONCLUSIONS
Apoptosis is not detectable in the circulation of patients with Sézary syndrome treated with bexarotene.
Brennand
S
S
Division of Haematology and Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Sutton
V R
VR
Biagi
J
J
Trapani
J A
JA
Westerman
D
D
McCormack
C J
CJ
Seymour
J F
JF
Kennedy
G
G
Prince
H M
HM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis; D000077610:Bexarotene; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000473:pathology*; D012751:Sezary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes; D000077610:Bexarotene