IGG ANTI-50 KD LYMPHOCYTE MEMBRANE PEPTIDE ANTIBODY IN PATIENTS WITH SEZARY-SYNDROME

Background: Recent evidence suggests that as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma progresses, cell-mediated immunity is reduced and humoral responses a re augmented. Objective: The present study was designed to compare the IgG response in Sezary syndrome with that in mycosis fungoides. Metho ds: The IgG antilymphocyte response was studied in six patients with S ezary syndrome and in 11 patients with mycosis fungoides by means of i mmunoblot analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochem istry, and flow cytometry. Results: An IgG antilymphocyte response to a 50 kd peptide was seen in five of the six patients with Sezary syndr ome; however, none of the 11 patients with mycosis fungoides expressed this response. Conclusions: An enhanced IgG immune response to 50 kd lymphocyte peptide may be helpful in identifying disease progression i n patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.