Role of bexarotene in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: the clinical and immunological sides.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of lymphoid neoplasms. The incidence of CTCLs has risen over the last three decades. The most common CTCLs are mycosis fungoides and Sèzary syndrome. Therapies for CTCLs are various and range from skin-directed therapy to chemotherapy. Retinoids have been used in CTCL treatment since the 1980s with good results. Bexarotene is the first retinoid approved by the US FDA for CTCL therapy. Since then, numerous experiences of both its efficacy and mechanism of action have been reported. The aim of this paper is to review bexarotene action on CTCLs, as well as to highlight its immunological targets.