Update on treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are a heterogenous group of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas characterized by atypical, skin-homing T lymphocytes and have varying prognoses depending on subtype and disease stage. Numerous therapeutic options exist; however, many patients experience refractory disease and novel treatments are needed.

RECENT FINDINGS: This review will highlight selected advances in CTCL treatment over the past year (2007-2008). Discoveries regarding the pathophysiology of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, the two most common CTCL types, have led to an expansion of new treatments and an increase in experience with multimodality therapy continues to increase. A number of reports have examined both combination regimens of currently available CTCL therapies as well as treatments approved for other dermatologic or oncologic conditions. Also, several novel skin-directed treatments and systemic compounds have been studied in all CTCL stages as well as in treatment-refractory disease.

SUMMARY: There remains a continued impetus to develop and amass experience with new therapeutic options for CTCL, particularly for patients with advanced stage and treatment-refractory disease.