Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in Kuwait: a retrospective analysis of treatment modalities and prognostic factors

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare malignancy with limited data available from the Middle East. This study evaluated the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of CTCL patients treated in Kuwait.

This was a retrospective review of all adult patients diagnosed between February 2021 and March 2024. Data included demographics, staging, treatment modalities, and outcomes. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

The study included 86 patients. The mean age at diagnosis was 44 years (range: 16-80), and 84% of patients presented with early-stage disease (IA-IIA). NB-UVB phototherapy was the most common treatment for early-stage disease, while brentuximab vedotin was frequently used for advanced diseases. Median OS was 30 months in patients with advanced disease and not reached in those with early-stage disease (p = 0.003). Median PFS was 22 months overall, and significantly longer in early-stage than advanced disease (50 vs. 15 months, p = 0.009). Advanced stage, blood involvement, and elevated LDH were significant predictors of worse PFS.

This study provides the first real-world analysis of CTCL outcomes in Kuwait. The findings underscore the importance of early detection and the role of novel therapies in disease management.