Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
Isolating Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and CD4+ T cells from Sézary Syndrome Patients for Transcriptomic Profiling
Published on: October 14, 2021
New nonchemotherapy treatment options for cutaneous T-cell lymphomas
1Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States.
Introduction:
The most common types of CTCL are mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS). In both MF and SS, complete responses to treatment are uncommon. Recent developments and understanding of the biology of MF/SS have led to novel agents which may offer prolonged responses with less toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapy approaches.
Areas Covered:
In this review, we discuss the efficacy and safety of new nonchemotherapy treatment options including antibody agents, small molecule inhibitors, fusion proteins, and CAR T-cell therapy. We also reflect on older immunomodulatory treatments including retinoids and histone deacetylase inhibitors.
Expert Opinion:
Patients with MF/SS who require systemic therapy often progress through multiple agents sequentially, thus the need for additional novel agents in the treatment armamentarium. Antibody-based therapies such as alemtuzumab are highly effective in the blood compartment of disease, while brentuximab vedotin has shown higher activity in skin and lymph nodes. Checkpoint inhibitors may play a role in treating MF/SS but may induce hyperprogression, and engineered T cells and bispecific antibodies recruiting immune effectors are being developed and may show promise in the future.
Insights
Novel non-chemotherapy treatments for mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) offer improved efficacy and reduced toxicity. These new agents, including antibody therapies and CAR T-cells, show promise for prolonged responses in CTCL patients.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are the most common types of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).
- Complete treatment responses are rare in MF and SS.
- Advances in understanding MF/SS biology have spurred the development of novel therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy and safety of emerging non-chemotherapy treatments for CTCL.
- To discuss the role of novel agents in the context of sequential therapy for MF/SS.
- To highlight the potential of new immunotherapies and targeted agents.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on novel non-chemotherapy treatments for MF/SS.
- Discussion of antibody agents, small molecule inhibitors, fusion proteins, and CAR T-cell therapy.
- Reflection on established immunomodulatory treatments like retinoids and histone deacetylase inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Antibody therapies like alemtuzumab and brentuximab vedotin demonstrate significant activity in different disease compartments.
- Emerging therapies such as checkpoint inhibitors, engineered T cells, and bispecific antibodies show potential for future treatment strategies.
- Novel agents offer the possibility of prolonged responses with reduced toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapy.
Conclusions:
- New non-chemotherapy treatments are expanding the therapeutic armamentarium for MF/SS.
- Targeted therapies and immunotherapies are crucial for managing progressive CTCL.
- Future research directions include engineered T cells and bispecific antibodies for improved patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
01:30Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers