Gene expression profile in a case of primary cutaneous CD30-negative largeT-cell lymphoma with a blastic phenotype

A 65-year-old Japanese woman presented with disseminated erythematous patch es, plaques, and nodules on the trunk and limbs. Histological examination s howed diffuse and dense infiltrates located in the dermis and subcutis, com posed of large pleomorphic T lymphocytes. Immunohistochemically. neoplastic cells were positive for blastic T-cell markers, but negative for CD30 (Ki- 1) antigen. Based on the clinicopathological findings, a diagnosis of prima ry cutaneous large T-cell lymphoma was made. Despite systemic chemotherapy, the patient died 7 months after diagnosis. Gene expression profiling using complementary DNA microarrays indicated significantly increased expression of an apoptosis-inhibitory protein and certain cytokines and cytokine rece ptors (e.g, MCP-1, MCP-1, IP-10, and IL-2R gamma) in the tumour-indurated s kin. Comprehensive gene expression patterning in additional cases may provi de useful information regarding the biological and clinical behaviour of ag gressive cutaneous lymphomas such as CD30-negative large T-cell lymphoma.