title: The influence of the coexpression of CD4 and CD8 in cutaneous lesions on prognosis of mycosis fungoides: a preliminary study.
abstract: Background. Although techniques of immunophenotyping have been successful in characterizing the cells in the cutaneous infiltrates of mycosis fungoides little evidence suggests that variations in the phenotypic characterization correlate with prognosis. Objectives. In a preliminary prospective, single-centre, study we correlated the T-cell phenotype in cutaneous biopsies with the progression of the disease to determine whether the coexpression of CD4 and CD8 has an impact on prognosis. Methods. Skin biopsy specimens from 30 newly diagnosed patients were stained with immunoperoxidase techniques to determine their phenotypic characteristics. After a median followup of 42 months patients were divided into two groups with stable and progressive disease. Results. Eighteen patients had the conventional CD4+CD8- T-cell phenotype. Ten patients showed the coexpression of CD4 and CD8 and had a slightly lower rate of progressive disease. Conclusions. The coexpression of CD4 and CD8 in cutaneous lesions is not rare and is associated with a slightly lower rate of progressive disease. Since double positive CD4/CD8 phenotype is rarely reported in mycosis fungoides the presence on conventional immunophenotyping of both CD may be due to a "mixture" of neoplastic cells and inflammatory CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical study combined with confocal microscopy could clarify this issue.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Trieste, Ospedale Maggiore, Piazza Ospedale 1, 34100 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio Umberto
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2531-7429
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: De Marchi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Udine, Ospedale San Michele, Piazza Rodolone 1, 33013 Gemona del Friuli, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2392-9504
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stinco
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Udine, Ospedale San Michele, Piazza Rodolone 1, 33013 Gemona del Friuli, Italy.
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7152-6136
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Errichetti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Trieste, Ospedale Maggiore, Piazza Ospedale 1, 34100 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7349-0296
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Trieste, Ospedale Maggiore, Piazza Ospedale 1, 34100 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5987-1375
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: di Meo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Trieste, Ospedale Maggiore, Piazza Ospedale 1, 34100 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Giusto
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1298-2833
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trevisan