TCR-γ expression in primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.
Primary cutaneous γδ T-cell lymphomas (PCGD-TCLs) are considered a subgroup of aggressive cytotoxic T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs). We have taken advantage of a new, commercially available antibody that recognizes the T-cell receptor-γ (TCR-γ) subunit of the TCR in paraffin-embedded tissue. We have analyzed a series of 146 primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas received for consultation or a second opinion in the CNIO Pathology Department. Cases were classified according to the World Health Organization 2008 classification as mycosis fungoides (MF; n=96), PCGD-TCLs (n=5), pagetoid reticulosis (n=6), CD30(+) primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphomas (n=5), primary cutaneous CD8 aggressive epidermotropic CTCLs (n=3), primary cutaneous CTCL, not otherwise specified (n=4), and extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphomas primarily affecting the skin or subcutaneous tissue (n=11). Sixteen cases of the newly named lymphomatoid papulosis type D (LyP-D; n=16) were also included. In those cases positive for TCR-γ, a further panel of 13 antibodies was used for analysis, including TIA-1, granzyme B, and perforin. Clinical and follow-up data were recorded in all cases. Twelve cases (8.2%) were positive for TCR-γ, including 5 PCGD-TCLs, 2 MFs, and 5 LyP-Ds. All 5 PCGD-TCL patients and 1 MF patient died of the disease, whereas the other MF patient and all those with LyP-D were alive. All cases expressed cytotoxic markers, were frequently CD3(+)/CD8(+), and tended to lose CD5 and CD7 expressions. Eight of 12 and 5 of 11 cases were CD30(+) and CD56(+), respectively. Interestingly, 5/12 TCR-γ-positive cases also expressed TCR-BF1. All cases analyzed were negative for Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA. In conclusion, TCR-γ expression seems to be rare and is confined to cytotoxic primary cutaneous TCLs. Nevertheless, its expression is not exclusive to PCGD-TCLs, as TCR-γ protein can be found in other CTCLs. Moreover, its expression does not seem to be associated with bad prognosis by itself, as it can be found in cases with good and bad outcomes.
CNIO Lymphoma Group, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain. smrodriguez@fjd.es
Socorro Maria
SM
Rodríguez-Pinilla
Pablo L
PL
Ortiz-Romero
Verónica
V
Monsalvez
Itziar Eraña
IE
Tomás
Manuel
M
Almagro
Amparo
A
Sevilla
Gloria
G
Camacho
María Isabel
MI
Longo
Águeda
Á
Pulpillo
Julio Alexander
JA
Diaz-Pérez
Santiago
S
Montes-Moreno
Yolanda
Y
Castro
Begoña
B
Echevarría
Izaskun
I
Trébol
Carlos
C
Gonzalez
Lydia
L
Sánchez
Alberto Puime
AP
Otín
Luis
L
Requena
Jose L
JL
Rodríguez-Peralto
Lorenzo
L
Cerroni
Miguel Ángel
MÁ
Piris
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta