A Long-Term Study of Persistent Sézary Syndrome: Evidence for Antigen Shift by Multiparameter Flow Cytometry and Its Significance in Overall Survival. The American Journal of dermatopathology Hoffmann, J. C., Atwater, S. K., Hong, E. n., Kumar, J. n., Khodadoust, M. n., Kim, Y. n., Ohgami, R. S. 2020; 42 (6): 389–96

Abstract

Sézary syndrome (SS) is a peripheral T-cell lymphoma characterized by erythroderma, diffuse lymphadenopathy, and circulating neoplastic T cells, which classically show a helper T-cell immunophenotype with loss of CD7 and CD26. Flow cytometry is often used to identify and enumerate populations of Sézary cells in the peripheral blood; however, the significance and frequency of antigen shift over time is unclear. In this article, we follow the immunophenotype of the neoplastic T-cell population from 28 patients with SS across 415 flow cytometry studies. Antigen shift for each patient was assigned as none, minimal = 1-2 markers by 1°, moderate = up to 3 markers, or marked = 4 markers. Sixty-four percent (18/28) of patients showed antigen shift, and among those with antigen shift, the majority showed minimal (8/18) or moderate antigen shift (7/18) with fewer demonstrating marked shift (3/18). Patients without antigen shift showed a trend toward improved overall survival in comparison with patients demonstrating any degree of antigen shift. Antigen shift is seen in a significant proportion of cases of SS with long-term follow-up and may be a marker of more aggressive disease.

View details for DOI 10.1097/DAD.0000000000001637

View details for PubMedID 32433315