Optimization of the molecular genetics for the diagnosis of early mycosis fungoides

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common disease among the cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (8590%). The accuracy of the diagnosis of MF, which is confirmed only by clinical, histological and immunohistochemical signs, is 5075%. AIMS: To investigate genetic marker STAT4 for early diagnosis of mycosis fungoides. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study involving 42 patients with MF and chronic benign dermatoses (CBD) was performed. The analysis of gene expression STAT4 was carried out by TaqMan Real time-PCR. The objects of the study were lesional skin samples of patients. A group with MF consisted of 29 patients, a group with CBD consisted of 13 patients, a control group included 10 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The study revealed that the level of STAT4 gene expression showed a significant (9 times) increase in the expression of gene STAT4 in patients with MF (168.2) compared with patients with CBD (18.5; p 0.001) and 561 times with healthy volunteers (0.3; p 0.001). CONCLUSION: For early diagnosis of MF the level of expression STAT4 is of great importance. Inclusion of STAT4 in the list of diagnostic algorithm increases the accuracy of differential diagnosis of MF and CBD from 59.1 to 92.2%.