Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma in Skin Folds with a Follicular Helper T-Cell Phenotype

A subset of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) may derive from a recently described subset of helper T cells called follicular helper T cells. These cells help to recruit B cells and induce them to mature and differentiate. Tumors arising from these cells have a signature phenotype (positive for CXCR5 and its ligands). Lymphomas arising from these cells include angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and CD4+ primary cutaneous small or medium pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma. These authors reviewed three cases of patients with lymphoma localized to the skin folds associated with follicular helper T cells.

Three patients (2 men; age range, 35–58) had intertriginous, tumor-stage CTCL without patch or plaque disease or lymph node involvement. Histology w…