Killer Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor Transcripts Expression for the Diagnosis of Epidermotropic Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma

The most frequent cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are mycosis fungoid and Sezary syndrome. The diagnosis of these lymphomas is difficult using current methods, especially because numerous benign dermatological conditions can mimick CTCL both clinically and under microscopic examination. Recently, the KIR receptor CD158k has been shown to be a marker for Sezary syndrome in both the blood and skin. We hypothesize that other receptors from the same family may help fro the diagnosis of these lymphomas. To address this issue, we will study the expression of all known KIR receptor in the skin of patients presenting with a skin eruption, which may correspond to either a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or a benign dermatological disease. The final diagnosis will be established by a panel of experts, allowing constitution of 2 groups of patients : the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma group, and the benign inflammatory disease group. The expression of the different KIRs will be analyzed in both group in a blinded fashion, in order to determine whether one or a several KIRs may be differentially expressed.