Evolution of clinical and molecular responses to bexarotene treatment in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
The mechanisms of action of bexarotene are not well understood.


METHODS
A retrospective study on patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) treated with bexarotene was performed to see if bexarotene could act on the dominant T-cell clones. Thirty-five patients were included. Twenty-three were treated with bexarotene for more than 3 months (300 mg/m(2)). In 7 patients, phototherapy was given with bexarotene.


RESULTS
Dominant T-cell clones were observed in 11 patients in peripheral blood and in 19 patients in skin. Our results demonstrate no significant evolution of T-cell clones either in skin or peripheral blood. Furthermore, the detection of T-cell clones in peripheral blood before starting bexarotene was significantly associated with the progression of the disease. UV therapy given with bexarotene significantly improved therapeutic response without any correlation with T-cell clones.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study on the evolution of the T-cell clone in blood and skin in CTCL patients during bexarotene therapy.
Ballanger
F
F
Department of Cancer Dermatology, INSERM U892, University Hospital Hôtel-Dieu, Place Alexis Ricordeau, Nantes, France.
Nguyen
J M
JM
Khammari
A
A
Dréno
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077610:Bexarotene; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes; D000077610:Bexarotene