Langerhans, plasmacytoid dendritic and myeloid-derived suppressor cell levels in mycosis fungoides vary according to the stage of the disease.
Mycosis fungoides (MF) is characterized by a switch from indolent behaviour in the early stages to a worse clinical outcome in the advanced ones. Recently, various studies have investigated the role the microenvironment might play in such a switch. We have analysed the distribution of Langerhans cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells in 46 MF cases in various stages, aiming to assess whether changes occur from early to advanced stage. We have investigated the number of langerin, CD303 and arginase-1 positive cells and their distribution at high power. Data were analysed using t test for continuous variables, χ2tests or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, as well as analysis of covariance. In comparing stages IA/B to IIB, we observed a significant decrease in Langerhans cells (p value 0.03) and a significant increase in CD303 and arginase-1 positive cells (p value <0.01 for both markers). Furthermore, a significant increase in Langerhans cells only was observed in stage IIB in comparison to stage III (p = 0.02), while in stage IV, a significant decrease in Langerhans cells was noted in comparison to stage III (p = 0.02). Our data suggest that changes in the microenvironment might influence disease progression, especially from stages IA/B to IIB, opening new scenarios in MF therapy.
Dermatology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 1, 40138, Bologna, Italy. alessandropileri@hotmail.it.|Dermatology Unit, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence Medical School, Florence, Italy. alessandropileri@hotmail.it.
Alessandro
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1025-7171
A
Pileri
Haematopathology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Claudio
C
Agostinelli
Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology L. Donatelli, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Maurizio
M
Sessa
Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Pietro
P
Quaglino
Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence Medical School, Florence, Italy.
Marco
M
Santucci
Dermatopathology Section, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Carlo
C
Tomasini
Dermatology Unit, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence Medical School, Florence, Italy.
Vieri
V
Grandi
Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Paolo
P
Fava
Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Chiara
C
Astrua
Haematopathology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Simona
S
Righi
Dermatology Unit, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 1, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
Annalisa
A
Patrizi
Unit of Diagnostic Haematopathology, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy.|Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Stefano A
SA
Pileri
Dermatology Unit, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence Medical School, Florence, Italy.
Nicola
N
Pimpinelli
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000473:pathology*; D000072737:Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
Dendritic cell; Immunohistochemistry; Mycosis fungoides; Myeloid-derived suppressor cell