Mycosis Fungoides in Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Mycosis fungoides (MF) in solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) is rare, with limited data on disease characteristics. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim was to study the characteristics of MF in SOTRs with an emphasis on the immunosuppressive therapy. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with MF, who were also SOTRs, were followed at 3 cutaneous lymphoma outpatient clinics, between January 2010 and February 2022. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Ten patients were included (7 male; median ages at transplantation and at diagnosis of MF were 33 and 48 years, respectively; 40% were diagnosed before the age of 18 years). Median time from transplantation to diagnosis of MF was 8 years (range 0.5–22). Transplanted organs and immunosuppressive treatments included: liver (<i>n</i> = 5; 4 treated with tacrolimus, 1 with tacrolimus and prednisone), kidney (<i>n</i> = 3), liver and kidney (<i>n</i> = 1), and heart (<i>n</i> = 1), all treated with mycophenolic acid, tacrolimus, and prednisone. Nine had early-stage MF (IA – 4, IB – 5; 40% with early folliculotropic MF), treated with skin-directed therapies, in 2 combined with acitretin, achieving partial/complete response. One patient had advanced-stage MF (IIIA) with folliculotropic erythroderma, treated with ultraviolet A and narrow-band ultraviolet B with acitretin, achieving partial response. Immunosuppression was modified in 3. At last follow-up (median 4 years, range 1–8), no stage progression was observed; 5 had no evidence of disease, 5 had active disease (IA/IB – 4, III – 1). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> MF in SOTRs is usually diagnosed at an early stage, with overrepresentation of folliculotropic MF, and of children. Immunosuppressive therapy alterations, not conducted in most patients, should be balanced against the risk of organ compromise/rejection. Disease course was similar to MF in immunocompetent patients, during the limited time of follow-up.