[A case of cutaneous T cell lymphoma improved with local administration of tumor necrosis factor]

A 63-aged woman with cutaneous T cell lymphoma successfully treated with local administration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was reported. She was admitted to our hospital because of tumors and subcutaneous nodules on her bilateral inner thigh. A pathological study of her skin of right inner thigh showed mononuclear atypical cells with hyperlobulated nuclei. In peripheral blood the same lymphoid cells were found. Immunohistochemical staining of these cells was positive for OKT-3 and OKT-4, but negative for OKT-8. No lymph node swelling and no visceral involvement were detected by a CT scan and a Echography of the chest and the abdomen. A diagnosis of cutaneous T cell lymphoma was made (stage IIb TNM classification). Although the chemotherapy of VEPA and CHOP was done, about 70% (PR) of the bilateral inner thigh tumors were retracted. Owing to the interstitial pneumonia aroused in the period of bone marrow suppression and cardiomyopathy after chemotherapy, we gave up further systemic chemotherapy. And then the local administration of TNF was done and the disappearance of the bilateral inner thigh tumors was obtained. Our therapy with local administration of TNF for CTCL in the first report.