Cytomegalovirus seropositivity is significantly associated with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome.

Although mycosis fungoides (MF) may arise through persistent antigen stimulation, cytomegalovirus (CMV) is not a known risk factor. To study the incidence of seropositivity to viral infections, we compared MF and Sézary Syndrome (SS) patients to healthy bone marrow donors and other historical control groups. Baseline screening serologies at baseline were performed on 116 biopsy-proven MF/SS patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center from 1992 to 2001 and on healthy bone marrow donors evaluated by the transplant service from 1988 to 2001.

Increased serum immunoglobulin levels are common in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome.

Background: Patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL; mycosis fungoides [MF] and Sézary syndrome [SS]) acquire immunodeficiency and opportunistic infections.

Objective: We attempted to determine whether abnormalities of humoral immunoglobulin levels are present.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of serum immunoglobulin levels in patients with CTCL at baseline evaluation at a cancer center was compared to levels in patients with leukemias and levels in healthy control subjects.

Optimizing bexarotene therapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Background: Bexarotene (Targretin oral capsules), the first RXR-selective retinoid "rexinoid" approved for all stages of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), had a response rate (RR) of 45% at the optimal dose of 300 mg/m(2) per day in 2 multicenter trials. With hypertriglyceridemia reported at 79%, bexarotene is often administered with lipid-lowering agents (LLAs). Statins (inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase) may modulate class II major histocompatibility class expression and T-cell responses.

Activation of HIV in human skin by ultraviolet B radiation and its inhibition by NFkappaB blocking agents.

To determine whether ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation leads to activation of HIV in human skin, we conducted prospective and controlled studies in two academic medical centers in Texas from July 1995 to April 1999. HIV-positive patients with UV-treatable skin diseases were enrolled at each center, 18 subjects at one and 16 at the other. In one center, specimens from lesional and nonlesional skin biopsies were taken before and after sham- or UVB-irradiation administered in vivo or in vitro.

Cytokine expression patterns distinguish HIV associated skin diseases.

AIDS is known to cause a shift of cytokines in the periphery. However, predominant cytokines in skin of patients with HIV-associated skin diseases have not been clearly defined. We hypothesized that there are distinct cytokine profiles that distinguish among the different clinical manifestations of AIDS-related skin diseases.