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Lymphoma
Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a subset of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
in which the malignant cells selectively traffic through the skin
and regional lymph nodes. Important questions remain unanswered
about the etiology and pathogenesis of CTCL. These are the subjects
of current research that is being conducted in the Department of
Dermatology Basic Research area.
In the majority of patients, CTCL is effectively treated with therapies
directed against the skin manifestations, under the care of their
dermatologist, but many patients with more advanced disease require
treatments that need to be administered by radiation oncologists
or medical oncologists. Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology
provides the multi-disciplinary approach necessary, through cutaneous
lymphoma conferences to discuss and manage the treatment of these
cases.
One innovative new program is Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP),
an FDA-approved treatment for CTCL. ECP is thought to induce an
immune response against CTCL by stimulating blood monocytes to become
potent antigen-presenting cells that ingest the treated malignant
cells and then present their tumor-specific antigens to the immune
system.
Initial clinical investigations involve the use of concomitant immunomodulatory
therapies to enhance the effectiveness of ECP for CTCL as well as
the not yet FDS-approved use of ECP to prevent graft-versus-host
disease.
To book appointments for patients with cutaneous lymphoma,
please call 410-955-3345.
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