Selective immunological evaluation of mycosis fungoides

Tests of specific aspects of immune function were conducted on 15 patients with clinically and histologically evident mycosis fungoides of various stages. These tests included peripheral blood lymphocyte counts, T and B cell counts, mitogen stimulation tests to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (con A), and pokeweed mitogen, as well as determinations of IgE levels and antinuclear factor (ANF). We found that mycosis fungoides patients, as a group, had normal peripheral blood lymphocyte, T cell, and B cell counts, but had decreased stimulation to PHA and con A. When evaluated by stage of disease, the peripheral blood lymphocytes, T and B cell counts did not differ significantly from normal, at least until stage V. Concanavalin A stimulation was decreased by stage II disease, and PHA was decreased by stage III, indicating at least a selective immunological deficit in the plaque stage or in later disease. Values of IgE and ANF were rarely abnormal.