In situ immunologic characterization of cutaneous involvement in Hodgkin's disease

The current study assesses in situ the antigenic phenotype of cutaneous infiltrate in two cases of Hodgkin's disease affecting the skin. Immunostaining utilized monoclonal antibodies for T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte and mononuclear phagocyte markers. The same immunophenotypic pattern of cutaneous infiltrate was observed in both cases, despite a different histopathologic subtype (mixed cellularity in case one, nodular sclerosis in case two). The majority of infiltrating cells expressed T-lymphocyte markers, with a predominance of CD8+ phenotype. Few cells bore B-lymphocyte markers or had DRC-1+ phenotype. No CD1a+ dendritic cell was found in the dermal infiltrate. Variable numbers of cells reacted with mononuclear phagocyte markers. The authors believe that the antigenic phenotype of cutaneous Hodgkin's disease has not previously been reported. The immunophenotypic pattern of skin infiltrate is different from that described in lymphoid tissues. Such findings could be related to the previous therapy or to the possible influence of skin microenvironment.