Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30+ LPDs) are the second most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and include lymphomatoid papulosis and primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Despite the anaplastic cytomorphology of tumor cells that suggest an aggressive course, CD30+ LPDs are characterized by an excellent prognosis. Although a broad spectrum of therapeutic strategies has been reported, these have been limited mostly to small retrospective cohort series or case reports, and only very few prospective controlled or multicenter studies have been performed, which results in a low level of evidence for most therapies. The response rates to treatment, recurrence rates, and outcome have not been analyzed in a systematic review. Moreover, international guidelines for staging and treatment of CD30+ LPDs have not yet been presented. Based on a literature analysis and discussions, recommendations were elaborated by a multidisciplinary expert panel of the Cutaneous Lymphoma Task Force of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas, and the United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium. The recommendations represent the state-of-the-art management of CD30+ LPDs and include definitions for clinical endpoints as well as response criteria for future clinical trials in CD30+ LPDs.

Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30+ LPDs) are the second most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) and represent a spectrum of diseases, including lymphomatoid papulosis (LYP) and primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (PCALCL).1-3  LYP and PCALCL share the expression of CD30 antigen as a common immunophenotypic hallmark and exhibit an excellent prognosis but differ in regard to their clinical presentation. LYP is characterized by a chronic course of years to decades of recurrent papulonodular lesions (Figure 1), each of which undergoes spontaneous regression after weeks or months. Survival is unaffected, but patients with LYP are at risk for second cutaneous or nodal lymphoid malignancies, including mycosis fungoides (MF), cutaneous or nodal anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), and Hodgkin lymphoma. These LYP-associated lymphomas, which are clonally related in some cases, develop in 4%-25% of affected patients and may occur before, concurrent with, or after the onset of LYP.4,5 

Figure 1

LYP: Grouped papules in the knee region. Note scars and hyperpigmentation as residual changes after spontaneous regression of the lesions. Clinical image was captured using a digital camera (Nikon Coolpix 995; Nikon).

Figure 1

LYP: Grouped papules in the knee region. Note scars and hyperpigmentation as residual changes after spontaneous regression of the lesions. Clinical image was captured using a digital camera (Nikon Coolpix 995; Nikon).

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PCALCL manifests in most patients with a solitary or grouped, rapidly growing and ulcerating large tumors or thick plaques (Figure 2). Rarely, the disease manifests with multifocal lesions. Spontaneous complete or partial regression of the tumor(s) is reported in up to 44% of the patients.4,6  In contrast to its nodal counterpart, PCALCL has a favorable prognosis with 5-year survival rates between 76% and 96%.7  Based on the data of one study on a limited number of patients, involvement of locoregional lymph nodes is not associated with a worse prognosis than cutaneous involvement alone.4  Skin-limited relapses are found in 39% of patients and extracutaneous spread in 13% of the patients.8 

Figure 2

PCALCL: Solitary ulcerated nodule on the leg. Clinical image was captured using a digital camera (Nikon Coolpix 995; Nikon).

Figure 2

PCALCL: Solitary ulcerated nodule on the leg. Clinical image was captured using a digital camera (Nikon Coolpix 995; Nikon).

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A broad variety of therapeutic approaches have been reported for CD30+ LPDs. UV light phototherapy and low-dose methotrexate (MTX) are commonly used therapies for LYP, but relapses are common and sustained CRs are rarely achieved.9  In PCALCL, surgical excision and radiotherapy are most commonly used for solitary tumors, whereas chemotherapy is given for multifocal disease. The histologic findings of both LYP and PCALCL with large pleomorphic and anaplastic lymphoid tumor cells and the clinical appearance with rapidly growing or multiple lesions may result in misinterpretation as a highly malignant cutaneous or even systemic T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leading to recommendations for multiagent chemotherapy or even bone marrow transplantation.10,11  In addition, the increased incidence of second lymphoid neoplasms in LYP patients has been used as support for early and more intense treatment of LYP.12,13 

Although a broad spectrum of therapy regimens has been reported, these have been limited to small cohort series or case reports. Indeed, there are little data from prospective controlled or multicenter studies in CD30+ LPDs. Furthermore, the response rate to treatment, recurrence rate, and outcome have not been analyzed in a systematic review. Recommendations for the treatment of CD30+ LPDs previously have been published,4,5,14  but international guidelines for the treatment of CD30+ LPDs have not yet been established. This article reviews the therapeutic regimens reported in the literature by focusing on response rates to initial treatment, recurrence rates, and follow-up. Recommendations for the management of CD30+ LPDs are presented based on these data and the expertise of the members of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas (ISCL), and the United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium (USCLC).

To identify relevant reports on the treatment of CD30+ LPDs, a search in Pub Med was performed using the following terms: lymphomatoid papulosis, cutaneous lymphoma, large-cell, anaplastic, CD30, treatment, and therapy. References were selected that reported detailed data on the initial treatment, response to treatment, relapse rates, and outcome. Case reports and retrospective case series describing treatment results with follow-up and response, and results from uncontrolled and controlled interventional studies published until April 2011 were included because the number of prospective studies in CD30+ LPDs is very small. Articles with only general statements, which did not allow extraction of detailed data, review articles merely reporting previous literature, and meeting abstracts were excluded. Because the data of some patients have been included in multiple reports (R.W., personal oral communication), the exact number of patients could not be determined with certainty. Documentation of response to treatment was often not reported according to current oncology standards. Instead of defined endpoints, several studies described the responses in general terms, such as “good clinical effect,” “improvement of skin lesions,” or “alive and well.”

The included articles were stratified for the level of evidence according to the Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine (www.cebm.net). Only cases with unequivocal diagnosis of LYP or PCALCL according to the defining criteria (Table 1) were included in further analysis. Patients presenting with nodal or other extracutaneous involvement at diagnosis or staging, secondary cutaneous ALCL, and immunosuppression-associated forms of CD30+ LPDs were excluded.

Table 1

Diagnostic criteria for CD30+ LPD

LYP 
    Clinical criteria 
        Recurrent self-healing grouped or disseminated papulonodular skin lesions 
    Note: Self-healing is defined as spontaneous regression of each individual tumor lesion within weeks or months, whether or not new lesions occur. 
        LYP may manifest concurrently with MF, which is typically characterized by patches and eventually plaques or tumors. 
    Histologic criteria 
        LYP type A: Wedge-shaped infiltrate with scattered or clustered CD30+ tumor cells, intermingled with numerous inflammatory cells, such as small lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and histiocytes (Figures 3 and 4). Type A is the most common histologic presentation. 
        LYP type B: Epidermotropic infiltrate of small atypical CD30+ or CD30 lymphoid cells with cerebriform nuclei that histologically resembles MF. 
        LYP type C: Cohesive sheets of CD30+ large atypical lymphoid cells with only a few admixed reactive inflammatory cells. 
        LYP type D: Epidermotropic infiltrate of small- to medium-sized atypical CD8+ and CD30+ lymphoid cells that histologically resembles primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma. 
        Immunphenotypically, CD30+ tumor cells express CD4 in most cases, but CD8+ or CD56+ phenotypes have been reported.69  T-cell-associated antigens, such as CD45RO, are expressed with variable loss of pan-T-cell antigens (CD2, CD3, CD5) in LYP. 
    Note: There is a broad differential diagnosis because the presence of large atypically appearing CD30+ lymphoid cells is not restricted to CD30+ LPD but is seen in various inflammatory and infectious disorders.17  
PCALCL 
    Clinical criteria 
        Solitary, grouped, or multifocal nodular lesions 
        No clinical evidence of LYP, MF, or other types of CTCL 
        Absence of extracutaneous involvement assessed by staging procedures 
    Histologic criteria 
        Dense nodular dermal infiltrate composed of large pleomorphic, anaplastic, or immunoblastic cells with large, irregularly shaped nuclei and abundant pale or eosinophilic cytoplasm (Figure 5). Clusters of small reactive lymphocytes and eosinophils may be found within and surrounding the tumor cells. 
        Immunphenotypically, CD30+ is expressed by at least 75% of tumor cells. In addition, CD4 or CD8 is expressed in most cases with variable loss of pan-T-cell antigens (CD2, CD3, CD5). 
    Note: In contrast to nodal ALCL, primary cutaneous forms of ALCL lack epithelial membrane antigen and express the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (HECA-452). Anaplastic lymphoma kinase [ALK-1 (p80)] and t(2;5) translocation are usually absent in PCALCL. If these are present, one needs to be highly suspicious of the lesions being a cutaneous manifestation of underlying systemic ALCL. 
    Borderline cases 
        Cases in which, despite careful clinicopathologic correlation, a definite distinction cannot be made at the time of diagnosis. In most cases, the final diagnosis can be achieved during follow-up based on clinical behavior. 
    Note: It can be challenging and, in individual cases, even impossible to differentiate between LYP and PCALCL in patients presenting with a short history of multifocal papulonodular lesions because, although spontaneous regression of tumors is a hallmark of LYP, this has also been observed in patients with multifocal PCALCL. 
LYP 
    Clinical criteria 
        Recurrent self-healing grouped or disseminated papulonodular skin lesions 
    Note: Self-healing is defined as spontaneous regression of each individual tumor lesion within weeks or months, whether or not new lesions occur. 
        LYP may manifest concurrently with MF, which is typically characterized by patches and eventually plaques or tumors. 
    Histologic criteria 
        LYP type A: Wedge-shaped infiltrate with scattered or clustered CD30+ tumor cells, intermingled with numerous inflammatory cells, such as small lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and histiocytes (Figures 3 and 4). Type A is the most common histologic presentation. 
        LYP type B: Epidermotropic infiltrate of small atypical CD30+ or CD30 lymphoid cells with cerebriform nuclei that histologically resembles MF. 
        LYP type C: Cohesive sheets of CD30+ large atypical lymphoid cells with only a few admixed reactive inflammatory cells. 
        LYP type D: Epidermotropic infiltrate of small- to medium-sized atypical CD8+ and CD30+ lymphoid cells that histologically resembles primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma. 
        Immunphenotypically, CD30+ tumor cells express CD4 in most cases, but CD8+ or CD56+ phenotypes have been reported.69  T-cell-associated antigens, such as CD45RO, are expressed with variable loss of pan-T-cell antigens (CD2, CD3, CD5) in LYP. 
    Note: There is a broad differential diagnosis because the presence of large atypically appearing CD30+ lymphoid cells is not restricted to CD30+ LPD but is seen in various inflammatory and infectious disorders.17  
PCALCL 
    Clinical criteria 
        Solitary, grouped, or multifocal nodular lesions 
        No clinical evidence of LYP, MF, or other types of CTCL 
        Absence of extracutaneous involvement assessed by staging procedures 
    Histologic criteria 
        Dense nodular dermal infiltrate composed of large pleomorphic, anaplastic, or immunoblastic cells with large, irregularly shaped nuclei and abundant pale or eosinophilic cytoplasm (Figure 5). Clusters of small reactive lymphocytes and eosinophils may be found within and surrounding the tumor cells. 
        Immunphenotypically, CD30+ is expressed by at least 75% of tumor cells. In addition, CD4 or CD8 is expressed in most cases with variable loss of pan-T-cell antigens (CD2, CD3, CD5). 
    Note: In contrast to nodal ALCL, primary cutaneous forms of ALCL lack epithelial membrane antigen and express the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (HECA-452). Anaplastic lymphoma kinase [ALK-1 (p80)] and t(2;5) translocation are usually absent in PCALCL. If these are present, one needs to be highly suspicious of the lesions being a cutaneous manifestation of underlying systemic ALCL. 
    Borderline cases 
        Cases in which, despite careful clinicopathologic correlation, a definite distinction cannot be made at the time of diagnosis. In most cases, the final diagnosis can be achieved during follow-up based on clinical behavior. 
    Note: It can be challenging and, in individual cases, even impossible to differentiate between LYP and PCALCL in patients presenting with a short history of multifocal papulonodular lesions because, although spontaneous regression of tumors is a hallmark of LYP, this has also been observed in patients with multifocal PCALCL. 

The final diagnosis should always be based on a careful clinicopathologic correlation.

Based on these data and the previously published recommendations by national expert groups,4  a proposal for the recommendations was presented to the EORTC Cutaneous Lymphoma Task Force, the Board of Directors of the ISCL, and the USCLC and modified based on modifications by these members of the societies.

Diagnostic procedure

The diagnostic criteria for CD30+ LPDs are outlined in Table 1. Histologic examination is the first diagnostic step in the diagnostic workup of clinically suspected CD30+ LPDs. As for other forms of cutaneous lymphomas, either complete excision (eg, a papule or small nodule in LYP) or an incisional biopsy (spindle-shaped biopsy of adequate length and depth or a punch biopsy of at least 4 mm) is recommended to allow appropriate histologic workup.

The histologic features of LYP are variable and depend on the evolution of the lesions. Four histologic subtypes (A-D) have been delineated, which represent a spectrum with overlapping features and may be present in individual patients at the same time15,16  (Table 1). Immunohistochemistry plays a pivotal role by revealing the presence of CD30+ large pleomorphic or anaplastic T cells. By definition, CD30 is expressed by at least 75% of the tumor cells in PCALCL.1-3  Differentiation of LYP and PCALCL from other forms of CTCL and secondary cutaneous involvement by nodal Hodgkin lymphoma or systemic ALCL requires careful clinicopathologic correlation.17,18 

Figure 3

LYP: Large pleomorphic and anaplastic tumor cells intermingled with small lymphocytes, eosinophils, and histiocytes (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification ×200). Histologic photomicrograph was captured using a digital camera (AxioCam MRc5; Zeiss) mounted on an Olympus microscope (BX45; Olympus). Objective lens: 400×/0.75 NA. Imaging software: Axio Vision Release 4.8.2 (Zeiss) and Adobe Photoshop Version 8.0 (Adobe Systems).

Figure 3

LYP: Large pleomorphic and anaplastic tumor cells intermingled with small lymphocytes, eosinophils, and histiocytes (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification ×200). Histologic photomicrograph was captured using a digital camera (AxioCam MRc5; Zeiss) mounted on an Olympus microscope (BX45; Olympus). Objective lens: 400×/0.75 NA. Imaging software: Axio Vision Release 4.8.2 (Zeiss) and Adobe Photoshop Version 8.0 (Adobe Systems).

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Staging

Staging should begin with a complete history, including previous lymphoid neoplasms (in particular Hodgkin lymphoma and MF),B-symptoms, and a careful physical examination (Table 2). Patients with suspected LYP should be asked for waxing and waning of recurrent papulonodular lesions within weeks. Recommended laboratory studies include a complete blood cell count with differential, blood chemistry, and lactate dehydrogenase. In LYP patients with the typical manifestation of papulonodular skin lesions and spontaneous regression of individual lesions after a few weeks and nothing on physical examination or blood tests to suggest extracutaneous disease, there is no need for the radiologic staging examination or bone marrow biopsy. However, where physical examination or laboratory tests are suggestive of extracutaneous disease in LYP, lymph node sonography, chest x-ray, CT, or positron emission tomography/CT scan should be performed. In patients with PCALCL, adequate imaging studies (contrast-enhanced CT scan with or without positron emission tomography, or whole body integrated positron emission tomography) should be performed. In both LYP and ALCL, a lymph node biopsy should be performed if a suggestion of nodal lymphoma exists. Recent data indicate that bone marrow examination has limited value in the staging of patients with an ALCL first presenting in the skin and may therefore be reserved for selected cases with multifocal tumors, unexplained abnormal hematologic results, and those in whom extracutaneous disease is documented.19 

Table 2

Diagnostic workup of CD30+ LPD

Histologic features compatible with LYP or PCALCL 
    History 
        Wax and waning of lesions (ie, spontaneous regression of each lesion within weeks to months) with new ones developing 
        Previous lymphoid neoplasms, particularly Hodgkin lymphoma, nodal anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and MF 
        Immunosuppression (HIV, organ transplantation, or other conditions associated with immunosuppressive therapy, immunosuppression-related CD30+ LPDs) 
        B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss) 
    Physical examination 
        Size and number of lesions 
        Presence of patches and/or plaques indicates possibility of associated MF. 
        It is necessary to differentiate MF with transformation (CD30 may be expressed by large tumor cells in transformed MF) from CD30+ LPD. 
        Enlarged lymph nodes (see point F) 
        Hepatic or splenic enlargement 
    Laboratory investigations 
        Complete blood cell count and differential 
        Blood chemistries, including LDH 
        Serology for HTLV-1/2 (only in areas with endemic HTLV infection) to identify adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia, in which expression of CD30 by tumor cells can occur 
    Radiologic examinations 
        LYP: Radiologic examinations (chest x-ray, ultrasound abdomen and pelvis, or CT scan) are considered as optional examinations in patients with typical LYP and absence of palpable enlarged lymph nodes, absence of hepatosplenomegaly, normal laboratory tests, and absence of B symptoms. 
        PCALCL: Contrast-enhanced CT scan with or without positron emission tomography (chest, abdomen, pelvis) or whole-body integrated positron emission tomography/CT. 
    Bone marrow aspirate or biopsy 
        LYP: Not performed in patients with typical LYP 
        PCALCL: Optional in patients with solitary PCALCL or patients with PCALCL without extracutaneous involvement in radiologic examinations (D)19  
        Lymph node biopsy: If enlarged lymph nodes (defined as > 1.5 cm in greatest transverse [long axis] diameter) are palpable or enlarged lymph nodes are detected on radiologic examination. 
Histologic features compatible with LYP or PCALCL 
    History 
        Wax and waning of lesions (ie, spontaneous regression of each lesion within weeks to months) with new ones developing 
        Previous lymphoid neoplasms, particularly Hodgkin lymphoma, nodal anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and MF 
        Immunosuppression (HIV, organ transplantation, or other conditions associated with immunosuppressive therapy, immunosuppression-related CD30+ LPDs) 
        B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss) 
    Physical examination 
        Size and number of lesions 
        Presence of patches and/or plaques indicates possibility of associated MF. 
        It is necessary to differentiate MF with transformation (CD30 may be expressed by large tumor cells in transformed MF) from CD30+ LPD. 
        Enlarged lymph nodes (see point F) 
        Hepatic or splenic enlargement 
    Laboratory investigations 
        Complete blood cell count and differential 
        Blood chemistries, including LDH 
        Serology for HTLV-1/2 (only in areas with endemic HTLV infection) to identify adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia, in which expression of CD30 by tumor cells can occur 
    Radiologic examinations 
        LYP: Radiologic examinations (chest x-ray, ultrasound abdomen and pelvis, or CT scan) are considered as optional examinations in patients with typical LYP and absence of palpable enlarged lymph nodes, absence of hepatosplenomegaly, normal laboratory tests, and absence of B symptoms. 
        PCALCL: Contrast-enhanced CT scan with or without positron emission tomography (chest, abdomen, pelvis) or whole-body integrated positron emission tomography/CT. 
    Bone marrow aspirate or biopsy 
        LYP: Not performed in patients with typical LYP 
        PCALCL: Optional in patients with solitary PCALCL or patients with PCALCL without extracutaneous involvement in radiologic examinations (D)19  
        Lymph node biopsy: If enlarged lymph nodes (defined as > 1.5 cm in greatest transverse [long axis] diameter) are palpable or enlarged lymph nodes are detected on radiologic examination. 

Adapted from Bekkenk et al.4 

Figure 4

LYP: Expression of CD30 by scattered and clustered pleomorphic tumor cells. Histologic photomicrograph was captured using a digital camera (AxioCam MRc5; Zeiss) mounted on an Olympus microscope (BX45; Olympus). Objective lens: 400×/0.75 NA. Imaging software: Axio Vision Release 4.8.2 (Zeiss) and Adobe Photoshop Version 8.0 (Adobe Systems).

Figure 4

LYP: Expression of CD30 by scattered and clustered pleomorphic tumor cells. Histologic photomicrograph was captured using a digital camera (AxioCam MRc5; Zeiss) mounted on an Olympus microscope (BX45; Olympus). Objective lens: 400×/0.75 NA. Imaging software: Axio Vision Release 4.8.2 (Zeiss) and Adobe Photoshop Version 8.0 (Adobe Systems).

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Figure 5

PCALCL: Cohesive sheets of anaplastic lymphoid cells H&E, original magnification ×200). The histologic photomicrograph was captured using a digital camera (AxioCam MRc5; Zeiss) mounted on an Olympus microscope (BX45; Olympus). Objective lens: 400×/0.75 NA. Imaging software: Axio Vision Release 4.8.2 (Zeiss) and Adobe Photoshop Version 8.0 (Adobe Systems Inc).

Figure 5

PCALCL: Cohesive sheets of anaplastic lymphoid cells H&E, original magnification ×200). The histologic photomicrograph was captured using a digital camera (AxioCam MRc5; Zeiss) mounted on an Olympus microscope (BX45; Olympus). Objective lens: 400×/0.75 NA. Imaging software: Axio Vision Release 4.8.2 (Zeiss) and Adobe Photoshop Version 8.0 (Adobe Systems Inc).

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Staging according to the Ann Arbor staging system or TNM staging system categorizes patients with nonregional LYP and patients with multifocal PCALCL as stage IV, which would imply advanced disease and unfavorable prognosis. The prognosis of both LYP and PCALCL, including its multifocal forms, is excellent so that these staging systems do not reflect the biology of the diseases. We therefore recommend documentation of CD30+ LPDs according to the recently published ISCL/EORTC recommendations for staging of cutaneous lymphomas other than MF/Sézary syndrome.20 

For PCALCL, 52 of 161 references were selected for further analysis. These references included 23 case reports (44%), 23 (retrospective) cohort series (44%), and 6 prospective therapeutic trials (12%), including a total of 368 patients. For LYP, 207 references matching the search terms were retrieved. Sixty-two reports were selected for further analysis. These included 27 case reports (44%), 30 (retrospective) cohort series (48%), and 5 prospective therapeutic trials (8%). Because the majority of reported data are from case reports and retrospective cohort series, evidence was scored as level 4 or 5 for the majority of the reports and grades of recommendation were primarily of the C or D category.

The data of larger cohort studies, which each included > 30 patients, did not allow conclusions to be drawn on the effect of the chosen therapies because response and relapse rates as well as follow-up data were not separated with regard to the therapeutic modalities. Patients with LYP and patients with relapsing PCALCL often have been treated with various therapies subsequently or concurrently, making it impossible to determine which of the therapeutic interventions was the most effective in inducing partial or CR.

Surgical excision (SE) and radiotherapy (RT) are the most common and best documented therapies for solitary or localized PCALCL. Chemotherapeutic approaches have been used mainly in patients with multifocal or relapsing disease. The number of patients per therapeutic modality and the response and relapse rates for the best documented and most widely used therapies are given in Table 3. Anecdotal reports with only 1 or 2 patients and reports on other therapies, for which mostly < 10 patients were reported, are listed in Table 4. Because of the small number of patients, these data did not allow conclusions to be drawn on the efficacy of treatment.

Table 3

PCALCL: therapies and results

TherapyReferencesNo. of patientsCR, no. (%)Relapse rate, no. (%)
SE 8,21,,,25,27,29,36  53 27/27 (100) 19/44 (43) 
RT 8,21,23,25,30,,,,35  32 19/20 (95) 9/22 (41) 
Multiagent chemotherapy 21,24,25,27,28,37,39,,,43,45,57,102,103  53 35/39 (90) 16/26 (62) 
TherapyReferencesNo. of patientsCR, no. (%)Relapse rate, no. (%)
SE 8,21,,,25,27,29,36  53 27/27 (100) 19/44 (43) 
RT 8,21,23,25,30,,,,35  32 19/20 (95) 9/22 (41) 
Multiagent chemotherapy 21,24,25,27,28,37,39,,,43,45,57,102,103  53 35/39 (90) 16/26 (62) 
Table 4

PCALCL: other treatments

TherapyReferences
Isotretinoin (syn-onym: 13-cis-retinoic acid) 31,55  
Bexarotene, alone or in combination with IFN-α 39,50,52  
IFN-α, IFN-γ 39,50,51,93  
Topical imiquimod 5% 53,54  
Thalidomide 55  
Single-agent chemotherapy: gemcitabine, etoposide, intralesional and systemic MTX 38,40,44,46,104,105  
Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation 4,6,8,40,41  
Anti-CD30 antibody (SGN30) 40,47,48  
Oral steroids 52  
Excimer laser (308 nm) 106  
Local thermotherapy 107  
TherapyReferences
Isotretinoin (syn-onym: 13-cis-retinoic acid) 31,55  
Bexarotene, alone or in combination with IFN-α 39,50,52  
IFN-α, IFN-γ 39,50,51,93  
Topical imiquimod 5% 53,54  
Thalidomide 55  
Single-agent chemotherapy: gemcitabine, etoposide, intralesional and systemic MTX 38,40,44,46,104,105  
Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation 4,6,8,40,41  
Anti-CD30 antibody (SGN30) 40,47,48  
Oral steroids 52  
Excimer laser (308 nm) 106  
Local thermotherapy 107  

Surgical excision

SE alone as initial therapy was the most common approach and was used in 19%-57% of the patients.4,8,21-28  Fifty-three patients treated with SE alone could be further analyzed. Because SE was performed with the intention to remove the entire tumor, no response rates were provided, except for 2 studies reporting complete remission (CR) as initial response to SE in all of 27 patients.8,23  No information was given regarding the margins of excision. Relapses occurred in 19 of 44 patients (43%).8,21-23,25,27,28  Most reports do not state whether the relapses occurred at the treated site or at other sites. Two or more relapses limited to the skin were found in 7 of 11 patients.23  Delay to first relapse ranged from 2-76 months.23,27,28  Seventy-eight percent (32 of 41) of the patients were alive without disease after a median follow-up of 39 months (range, 4-109 months).22-25,27,29 

RT

RT was applied as first-line monotherapy for PCALCL in up to 48% of the patients.4,22,23,25,26  The radiation dose ranged from 30-46 Gy with a median diameter of the lesional region of 3 cm and a 2- to 3-cm margin of uninvolved perilesional skin.30  RT with a dose of 40 Gy in 2-Gy fractions was reported to be well tolerated with only mild and transient side effects.30  The only recorded toxicity was radiation dermatitis grade 1 to 2 seen in all patients.30  CR occurred in 19 of 20 patients (95%) for whom detailed data on response were reported.8,22,30-35  Recurrences were observed in 9 of 22 patients (41%) after a median follow-up period of 22 months (range, 5-95 months).8,22,23,25,32,34,35  One study reported a disease-free duration to first relapse of 14 months (range, 2-59 months) in 4 patients with skin-limited relapses.23  Data of 11 patients with PCALCL treated with SE followed by RT could be analyzed21,23,25,36  with a sustained CR in 4 of 6 patients (67%), for whom response rates were available. The recurrence rate after treatment with SE and RT was 64% (7 of 11 patients) with a disease-free period to first relapse of 34 months (range, 8-54 months).21,23,25,36 

Chemotherapy

Fifty-three patients, for whom detailed data had been documented, were treated with multiagent chemotherapy. CR rate to multiagent chemotherapy was 92% (36 of 39 patients). Relapses were reported in 16 of 26 patients (62%). Disease-free time to relapse, which was only reported for 4 patients, was 4 months (median; range, 1-12 months).27,37-39  Doxorubicin-based multiagent chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) was applied as initial therapy was separately analyzed. CHOP resulted in CR in 11 of 13 patients (85%) and relapses in 5 of 7 patients (71%).8,28,37,39-43  The median duration of remission was only 6 weeks (range, 4-8 weeks; 3 patients).

Multiagent chemotherapy has been considered as first-line therapy for multifocal PCALCL. Eight of 10 patients (80%) with multifocal PCALCL treated with multiagent chemotherapy (various regimens) had relapses in the skin and/or involvement of lymph nodes.22,24-26,40,44,45  There are only limited data on treatment of extracutaneous spread in PCALCL. Chou et al reported 2 patients with PCALCL and subsequent involvement of lymph nodes who were in CR after CHOP and radiation therapy, but relapses occurred in both patients after a few months.31 

Single-agent chemotherapy reported in PCALCL includes MTX, etoposide and gemcitabine (Table 4). Low-dose MTX is widely used for LYP, but there are only anecdotal reports on its use in PCALCL.38,46 

Monoclonal antibodies

SGN-30, a chimeric monoclonal antibody to CD30, has been used in 13 patients with PCALCL.40,47,48  In an open-label multicenter phase 2 study, 6 of 11 (55%) patients achieved CR and 3 of 11 (27%) patients showed partial remission (PR).48  No disease progression was observed. The treatment was well tolerated. Brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35) is the same monoclonal antibody linked to the antitubulin agent monomethyl auristatin E, which enhances the antitumoral activity of CD30-directed therapy. In a phase 1 study, brentuximab vedotin induced durable responses and resulted in tumor regression in most patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive lymphomas.49 

Other treatments

Data on other therapeutic strategies (Table 4), such as interferons, imiquimod, retinoids, bexarotene, thalidomide, and bone marrow transplantation, are very limited and do not allow conclusions to be drawn on their effectiveness.4,6,8,31,39-41,50-55 

Recommendations

Treatment of PCALCL should be tailored to the size and extent of tumors (Table 5). For solitary or grouped lesions, SE or RT is recommended as initial or first-line therapy. Both therapeutic approaches achieve a CR of at least 95%. Relapses after SE or RT occur in ∼ 40% of patients and are equally frequent after both interventions. Relapses confined to the skin are not linked to worsened prognosis and do not require different treatment than initial tumors. Spontaneous regression of tumors has been observed in up to 44% of the PCALCL patients, most of them presenting with solitary or localized lesions, but also in patients with multifocal disease.4,6,8,23,25,56,57  Onset of spontaneous tumor regression took place after a median period of 2 months (range, 1 week to 6 months). Patients should be informed that outcome after spontaneous regression of initial or recurrent tumors is excellent. It remains to be clarified whether patients with extensive limb disease should be treated in a different way than PCALCL at other localizations because recent studies reported worse prognosis for patients with extensive limb disease and PCALCL located on the leg.7,58 

Table 5

Recommendations for the treatment (standard therapies) of CD30+ LPD

PCALCL
LYP
Solitary or grouped lesion(s)Multifocal lesionsExtracutaneous spreadLocalized/regional or few lesions*Numerous and/or generalized lesions
SE Methotrexate Single or multiagent chemotherapy Observation Observation 
RT Alternatives: retinoids, interferon  Phototherapy§ Phototherapy§ 
   Topical steroids Methotrexate 
    Topical steroids 
    Alternatives: retinoids, interferon 
PCALCL
LYP
Solitary or grouped lesion(s)Multifocal lesionsExtracutaneous spreadLocalized/regional or few lesions*Numerous and/or generalized lesions
SE Methotrexate Single or multiagent chemotherapy Observation Observation 
RT Alternatives: retinoids, interferon  Phototherapy§ Phototherapy§ 
   Topical steroids Methotrexate 
    Topical steroids 
    Alternatives: retinoids, interferon 
*

For larger (defined as > 2 cm in diameter) and persistent (defined as duration of lesion > 12 weeks) lesions, SE or RT may represent alternatives.

These therapies are of low-level evidence other than expert opinion.

In cases of skin and only local node involvement in PCALCL, one could consider addition of local nodal radiation 4 

§

PUVA is best documented. Alternatively, treatment with other types of phototherapy (eg, UVB-narrow band) can be tried (evidence level 5).

Multiagent chemotherapy has often been used as first-line therapy especially in multifocal PCALCL. CR rate to multiagent chemotherapy as initial therapy was 92% overall and 85% specifically for CHOP, which is the most common type of multiagent chemotherapy in malignant lymphomas. Relapses are very common and seen in 62% of all PCALCL patients treated with chemotherapy and in 71% of the patients initially treated with CHOP. No specific chemotherapeutic protocol has so far been shown to be superior. Thus multiagent chemotherapy and, in particular, CHOP can no longer be recommended as first-line therapy for multifocal or relapsing PCALCL limited to the skin.4,31  As alternative therapy, low-dose MTX (5-25 mg/week), which is generally not myelosuppressive, has been proposed as first-line therapy for multifocal PCALCL.4,31  Despite MTX having been proven to be effective in clearing LYP lesions, the reported experience in multifocal PCALCL is very limited and evidence is lacking for MTX in multifocal PCALCL despite a general expert consensus that its use is reasonable.4,38  Systemic retinoids, including bexarotene, IFN-α, and thalidomide, have been described in anecdotal reports as effective treatment for multifocal PCALCL not responsive to other therapies. Maintenance therapy over months to years seems to be necessary with this immunomodulatory therapy.50,55  Multiagent chemotherapy is only indicated for extracutaneous spread.

Topical steroids, photochemotherapy (psoralen-UVA light therapy [PUVA]), and low-dose MTX are the best documented and most common therapeutic approaches for LYP reported in the literature. The number of patients per therapeutic modality and the response rate to these therapies are given in Table 6. Anecdotal reports with only 1 or 2 patients and reports on other therapies, for which mostly < 10 patients were reported, are listed in Table 7.

Table 6

LYP: therapies and results

TherapyReferencesNo. of patientsCR, no. (%)Relapse rate, no. (%)
PUVA 59,60,62,,,,,68,75  19 CR: 5/19 (26) 16/19 (84) 
   PR: 13/19 (68)  
   NR: 1/19 (5)  
Systemic methotrexate 61,72,,,,,,,,81  79 CR: 27/79 (34) 47/75 (63) 
   PR: 52/79 (66)  
   NR: 1/79 (0.1)  
Topical steroids 63,84,,,,,90  25 CR: 3/25 (12) NA 
   PR: 22/25 (88)  
TherapyReferencesNo. of patientsCR, no. (%)Relapse rate, no. (%)
PUVA 59,60,62,,,,,68,75  19 CR: 5/19 (26) 16/19 (84) 
   PR: 13/19 (68)  
   NR: 1/19 (5)  
Systemic methotrexate 61,72,,,,,,,,81  79 CR: 27/79 (34) 47/75 (63) 
   PR: 52/79 (66)  
   NR: 1/79 (0.1)  
Topical steroids 63,84,,,,,90  25 CR: 3/25 (12) NA 
   PR: 22/25 (88)  

NR indicates no response; and NA, not available.

Table 7

LYP: other treatments

TherapyReferences
UVA, UVB 4,6,67,70,84,108,110  
Topical tacrolimus 67  
Isotretinoin (syn-onym: 13-cis-retinoic acid), alone or in combination with IFN-α 76,92  
Bexarotene, topical or systemic 66,95  
Topical imiquimod 5% 80  
IFN-α, IFN-γ 88,91,93,94  
Single-agent chemotherapy  
    Topical nitrogen mustard 6,82  
    Topical carmustine 13,8  
    Topical MTX 79  
    Topical cytotoxic alkyl phospholipid hexadecyl-phosphocholine 111  
Multiagent chemotherapy 66,84  
Anti-CD30-antibody (SGN30) 48  
RT 10,12,15,77,84,85,98,99  
Antibiotics (tetracyclines, penicillin, erythromycin) 84,86,89,98,108  
Extracorporeal photopheresis 78,112  
Photodynamic therapy 113  
Acyclovir 114,115  
Sulfones 84  
Mistletoe 116  
TherapyReferences
UVA, UVB 4,6,67,70,84,108,110  
Topical tacrolimus 67  
Isotretinoin (syn-onym: 13-cis-retinoic acid), alone or in combination with IFN-α 76,92  
Bexarotene, topical or systemic 66,95  
Topical imiquimod 5% 80  
IFN-α, IFN-γ 88,91,93,94  
Single-agent chemotherapy  
    Topical nitrogen mustard 6,82  
    Topical carmustine 13,8  
    Topical MTX 79  
    Topical cytotoxic alkyl phospholipid hexadecyl-phosphocholine 111  
Multiagent chemotherapy 66,84  
Anti-CD30-antibody (SGN30) 48  
RT 10,12,15,77,84,85,98,99  
Antibiotics (tetracyclines, penicillin, erythromycin) 84,86,89,98,108  
Extracorporeal photopheresis 78,112  
Photodynamic therapy 113  
Acyclovir 114,115  
Sulfones 84  
Mistletoe 116  

Phototherapy

Even though phototherapy is one of the most common therapies in LYP, most reports do not provide details on the dosage or lack prolonged follow-up, making it difficult to draw conclusions on its effectiveness. Remarkably, there is no prospective study evaluating any form of phototherapy in LYP. Detailed data on response were available for 19 patients treated with PUVA or bath-PUVA. Thirteen of 19 patients (68%) experienced PR and 5 patients (26%) CR.59-68  Relapses were observed in all patients shortly after cessation of treatment, except for 3 patients (16 of 19 patients; 84%). UVB light therapy was effective in 6 of 7 children.69  UVA1 in a cumulative dose of 600-1800 J/cm2 induced CR in 5 of 9 patients (56%) and PR with reduction of more than 50% of the lesions in the remaining 4 patients. Three of 7 patients, for whom follow-up was available, showed relapse after 1 to 20 months at follow-up.70  Heliotherapy or exposure to sunlight was reported to be beneficial in 21 of 37 (57%) children.69,71,72  In summary, most patients with LYP experience reduction in number of lesions and faster resolution after UV light exposure, but relapses are very common. Moreover, uncontrolled UV-light exposure will increase the risk for development of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Chemotherapy

MTX is the most widely used single-agent chemotherapy to treat LYP patients with a total of 79 reported patients.61,72-81  MTX was mostly used in a low-dose scheme (ie, ≤ 25 mg given at 1- to 4-week intervals).78  In the largest retrospective study, including 40 patients with LYP, 44% of the patients did not develop new lesions and 42% of patients had only few new lesions during therapy with 15-25 mg MTX subcutaneous weekly.78  After discontinuation of treatment, no relapse was observed in 10 of 40 patients (25%) during the follow-up period of 24 to 227 months. Side effects were reported in 77% of patients, including hepatic fibrosis in 5 of 10 patients treated with MTX for more than 3 years. In summary, MTX is effective in controlling the disease, but rapid relapse of lesions off drug in the majority of patients (47 of 75 patients; 63%) required maintenance therapy over several months or years.74,76-78  Topical nitrogen mustard (aqueous solution or ointment-based vehicle), used frequently in MF, was reported to induce a sustained remission in only one of the 17 patients with LYP (6%).72,78,82  Topical BCNU (carmustine), a nitrosurea compound, was effective in suppressing disease activity in LYP with rapid reduction in the number, size, and life cycle time of lesions in 8 of 9 patients but without sustained remission.13,78  A variety of multiagent chemotherapeutic regimens are able to induce regression of LYP lesions, but almost all patients had relapses shortly after withdrawal.4,8,10,11,15,66,83 

Corticosteroids

In daily practice, topical steroids are probably most often used for initial treatment. Treatment with topical steroids has been documented in detail in 25 patients with CR observed in only 3 of 25 patients (12%).63,72,84-90  Topical steroids are often combined with other therapies, such as antibiotics or phototherapy.72  In one study of children with LYP, with halobetasol or clobetasol propionate applied twice per day for 2 to 3 weeks followed by weekly pulsed application, complete resolution of all lesions occurred over 6 months, but 2 of the 3 children developed new lesions.87  In summary, topical steroids alone or in combination with other therapies may hasten regression of lesions, but they do not prevent occurrence of new lesions. The reported data do not allow assessing effectiveness of topical steroids in LYP.72  Oral corticosteroids were ineffective in all 5 patients reported in the literature.84 

Immunomodulatory therapy and retinoids

There are only very limited data on other therapies such as IFN-α, retinoids, bexarotene, and imiquimod in LYP.76,80,88,91-95  CR was observed in 4 of 5 patients after 2-6 weeks of treatment with 3-15 MU IFN-α per week in an open trial.94  Discontinuation resulted in relapses within 3-4 weeks and the necessity for maintenance therapy over 10-17 months.94  Recent experimental data suggest that combined use of MTX and IFN-α could be useful in LYP.96  Despite that expression of Toll-like receptors has been demonstrated in CD30+ LPDs, the Toll-like receptor agonist imiquimod was reported only in 1 patient with CR, in whom all treated lesions resolved within 2 weeks.80,97  CR was observed in one of 3 patients treated with oral bexarotene (150-650 mg, orally daily) in a prospective, uncontrolled, nonrandomized study.95  Topical bexarotene resulted in CR in only one patient after 13 months and PR in 4 of 7 patients without data on follow-up.95 

Radiotherapy has been used with various techniques and protocols.10,12,15,77,84,85,98,99  Controversial results were seen with Grenz ray irradiation, which resulted in complete regression of treated lesions in 6 patients77  but had no effect in another series of 3 patients.98  Both Grenz ray treatment and orthovoltage therapy were followed by relapses.10,84,85,99  One patient treated by electron beam irradiation experienced CR.12 

Other treatments

Table 7 lists other therapeutic approaches, for which only a very limited number of patients have been reported or detailed data on response, relapse, or outcome are lacking.

Noninterventional strategy (“wait-and-see strategy”)

Observation of natural disease course appears as a legitimate approach in LYP considering the excellent prognosis of LYP and the high recurrence rate after almost all therapies. Detailed data were reported for 5 adults and 11 children.6,8,10,60,67,71,72,86,98-100  In 10 of 11 children, there was ongoing disease and CR was observed in only one child.71,99  CR was reported in 5 adults, but no details on the length of disease course were available. None of the patients who were not treated developed second lymphoid neoplasms.

Recommendations

Because none of the therapies for LYP has been proven to alter the course of the disease and to prevent LYP-associated second lymphomas, abstention from active therapeutic intervention is a legitimate first-line approach, especially in patients with a limited number of lesions (Table 5). For patients with numerous, disseminated, or stigmatizing lesions, phototherapy, in particular PUVA, and low-dose MTX are the best documented therapies for LYP. Various schemes for dosage (mostly low-dose, ie, 5-30 mg/week), application form (orally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly) and duration of treatment (weeks to years; with or without therapy-free intervals) are used to treat patients with LYP. Both, PUVA and MTX show high response rates with reduction and faster healing of lesions in the majority of patients, but sustained CR with regression of all lesions is only rarely achieved. Relapse occurs rapidly within several weeks after dose reduction or withdrawal of treatment with recurrence rates of at least 40%. Similar results have been described for other therapeutic approaches evaluated on smaller series of patients, including interferons, retinoids, and antibiotics, but the evidence for those therapies is too low to recommend as first-line therapy. Because of the high proclivity of LYP to relapse, maintenance treatment may be required to control the disease but may be followed by long-term complications, such as the higher incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer in patients treated with PUVA or development of hepatic fibrosis after long-term use of MTX, which requires monitoring of therapy.38  For larger LYP lesions (arbitrarily defined as > 2 cm in diameter), which can persist for months, SE or RT is recommended as an alternative approach to a wait for spontaneous regression. In larger lesions or any lesion without spontaneous regression after months, however, progression to PCALCL should be considered.

Multiagent chemotherapy often leads to reduction or clearance of LYP lesions, but rapid recurrence of LYP shortly after or even during treatment is a consistent finding. Multiagent chemotherapy should therefore be avoided both because of its ineffectiveness and because of the side effects and long-term complications. LYP patients should be followed life-long because of the risk for second lymphoid neoplasms, which is reported to occur in 4%-25% of patients and may arise even decades after the manifestation of LYP and in the absence of LYP lesions. In this context, LYP is most commonly associated with MF.

The presented recommendations for the management of CD30+ LPDs are based on the data from small cohort series and case reports as well as the institutional experience of the members of the EORTC Cutaneous Lymphoma Task Force, ISCL, and USCLC. Despite more than 100 studies with therapeutic data on LYP and PCALCL that have been published, only a subset provides detailed information on the response to initial treatment, relapse rate, and outcome or long-term follow-up.

For PCALCL, SE and RT are recommended first-line therapies for solitary or grouped lesions. Multiagent chemotherapy is only indicated for extracutaneous tumor spread beyond locoregional lymph nodes. The best treatment for multifocal PCALCL has still to be determined because so far only anecdotal data for the previously reported therapeutic approaches have been reported. Prospective therapeutic studies are needed to clarify which therapy is most effective for multifocal and for relapsing PCALCL. Multiagent chemotherapy is only indicated for extracutaneous spread.

None of the available therapies for LYP appears unequivocally effective in preventing LYP-associated second lymphomas, although this point has not been systematically addressed in prospective studies. Therefore, abstention from active therapeutic intervention is a legitimate first-line approach in LYP. For patients requiring treatment, potential side effects, long-term complications, and costs of any therapeutic intervention have to be balanced against the favorable prognosis and outcome in most patients with CD30+ LPD, respecting the concept of primum nil nocere.

One major limitation in assessing the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches in CD30+ lymphomas relates to the proclivity of skin lesions in LYP and also in PCALCL for spontaneous regression. Therefore, the impact of any form of active treatment has always to be weighed against the possibility of spontaneous resolution. The regression of individual lesions in LYP cannot be assigned to a direct effect of treatment because spontaneous regression is the characteristic clinical feature and a diagnostic criterion for LYP. Relevant endpoints for therapeutic trials in LYP are CR defined as cessation of the disease (ie, absence of any new lesions). Therefore, we propose definitions for future studies in patients with CD30+ LPDs to enable documentation of efficacy and better comparability of data (Tables 8 and 9). These definitions represent a modification of the recently reported clinical endpoints and response criteria in MF and Sézary syndrome.101  They include counting the number of LYP lesions before, during, and after therapeutic intervention for an objective documentation of tumor burden and response to treatment. Increased disease activity has been introduced as a new term to describe an increase of papulonodular lesions of > 50% above baseline in patients with LYP during treatment. In contrast to progressive disease, defined as occurrence of large (> 2cm) and persistent nodules or extracutaneous spread of disease, increased disease activity has no prognostic implication because the mere number of papulonodular skin lesions in LYP is not linked to prognosis but rather reflects extent and activity of disease.

Table 8

Recommended definitions for future therapy studies in CD30+ LPDs

ResponseDefinition
I. Response in skin  
    A. LYP response in skin  
        Complete response (CR) 100% clearance of skin lesions 
        Partial response (PR) 50%-99% clearance of skin disease from baseline without new larger and persistent nodule(s) in those with papular disease only 
        Stable disease (SD) < 50% increase to < 50% clearance in skin disease from baseline without new larger and persistent nodule(s) in those with papular disease only 
        Loss of response Increase of skin score of greater than the sum of nadir plus 50% baseline score in patients with CR or PR 
        Increased disease activity (IDA)* > 50% increase in skin disease from baseline without larger and persistent nodules 
        Progressive disease (PD) (1) Occurrence of larger and persistent nodule(s) (> 2 cm); and (2) extracutaneous spread 
        Relapse Any disease recurrence in those with CR 
    B. PCALCL response in skin  
        CR 100% clearance of skin lesions 
        PR 50%-99% clearance of skin disease from baseline without new tumors 
        SD < 25% increase to < 50% clearance in skin disease from baseline 
        PD (1) ≥ 25% increase in skin disease from baseline; or (2) loss of response: in those with CR or PR, increase of skin score of greater than the sum of nadir plus 50% baseline score 
        Relapse Any disease recurrence in those with CR 
II. Nodes: response in lymph nodes for LYP and PCALCL (peripheral and central lymphnodes) 
    CR All lymph nodes are now < 1.5 cm in greatest transverse (long axis) diameter by method used to assess lymph nodes at baseline or biopsy negative for lymphoma. In addition, lymph nodes that show lymphoma involvement by biopsy and < 1.5 cm in long axis diameter at baseline must now be ≤ 1 cm in diameter of the short axis or biopsy negative for lymphoma. 
    PR Cumulative reduction ≥ 50% of the SPD [sum of the maximum linear dimension (major axis) × longest perpendicular dimension (minor axis)] of each abnormal lymph node at baseline and no new lymph node ≥ 1.5 cm or > 1.0 cm in the short axis if long axis is 1- to 1.5-cm diameter 
    SD Fails to attain the criteria for CR, PR, and PD 
    PD§ (1) > 50% increase in SPD from baseline of lymph nodes; or (2) any new node ≥ 1.5 cm in greatest transverse diameter or > 1 cm in short axis diameter if 1- to 1.5-cm in long axis that is proven to be lymphoma histologically; or (3) loss of response: in those with PR or CR, > 50% increase from nadir in SPD of lymph nodes 
    Relapse Any new lymph node ≥ 1.5 cm in long axis diameter in those with CR 
III. Visceral disease: response in viscera for LYP and PCALCL 
    CR Liver or spleen or any organ considered involved at baseline should not be enlarged on physical examination and should be considered normal by imaging. No nodules should be present on imaging of liver or spleen. Any posttreatment mass must be determined by biopsy to be negative for lymphoma. 
    PR ≥ 50% regression in any splenic or liver nodules, or in measureable disease (SPD) in any organs abnormal at baseline. No increase in size of liver or spleen and no new sites of involvement. 
    SD Fails to attain the criteria for CR, PR, or PD 
    PD§ (1) > 50% increase in size (SPD) of any organs involved at baseline; or (2) new organ involvement; or (3) loss of response: in those with PR or CR, > 50% increase from nadir in the size (SPD) of any previous organ involvement 
    Relapse New organ involvement in those with CR 
ResponseDefinition
I. Response in skin  
    A. LYP response in skin  
        Complete response (CR) 100% clearance of skin lesions 
        Partial response (PR) 50%-99% clearance of skin disease from baseline without new larger and persistent nodule(s) in those with papular disease only 
        Stable disease (SD) < 50% increase to < 50% clearance in skin disease from baseline without new larger and persistent nodule(s) in those with papular disease only 
        Loss of response Increase of skin score of greater than the sum of nadir plus 50% baseline score in patients with CR or PR 
        Increased disease activity (IDA)* > 50% increase in skin disease from baseline without larger and persistent nodules 
        Progressive disease (PD) (1) Occurrence of larger and persistent nodule(s) (> 2 cm); and (2) extracutaneous spread 
        Relapse Any disease recurrence in those with CR 
    B. PCALCL response in skin  
        CR 100% clearance of skin lesions 
        PR 50%-99% clearance of skin disease from baseline without new tumors 
        SD < 25% increase to < 50% clearance in skin disease from baseline 
        PD (1) ≥ 25% increase in skin disease from baseline; or (2) loss of response: in those with CR or PR, increase of skin score of greater than the sum of nadir plus 50% baseline score 
        Relapse Any disease recurrence in those with CR 
II. Nodes: response in lymph nodes for LYP and PCALCL (peripheral and central lymphnodes) 
    CR All lymph nodes are now < 1.5 cm in greatest transverse (long axis) diameter by method used to assess lymph nodes at baseline or biopsy negative for lymphoma. In addition, lymph nodes that show lymphoma involvement by biopsy and < 1.5 cm in long axis diameter at baseline must now be ≤ 1 cm in diameter of the short axis or biopsy negative for lymphoma. 
    PR Cumulative reduction ≥ 50% of the SPD [sum of the maximum linear dimension (major axis) × longest perpendicular dimension (minor axis)] of each abnormal lymph node at baseline and no new lymph node ≥ 1.5 cm or > 1.0 cm in the short axis if long axis is 1- to 1.5-cm diameter 
    SD Fails to attain the criteria for CR, PR, and PD 
    PD§ (1) > 50% increase in SPD from baseline of lymph nodes; or (2) any new node ≥ 1.5 cm in greatest transverse diameter or > 1 cm in short axis diameter if 1- to 1.5-cm in long axis that is proven to be lymphoma histologically; or (3) loss of response: in those with PR or CR, > 50% increase from nadir in SPD of lymph nodes 
    Relapse Any new lymph node ≥ 1.5 cm in long axis diameter in those with CR 
III. Visceral disease: response in viscera for LYP and PCALCL 
    CR Liver or spleen or any organ considered involved at baseline should not be enlarged on physical examination and should be considered normal by imaging. No nodules should be present on imaging of liver or spleen. Any posttreatment mass must be determined by biopsy to be negative for lymphoma. 
    PR ≥ 50% regression in any splenic or liver nodules, or in measureable disease (SPD) in any organs abnormal at baseline. No increase in size of liver or spleen and no new sites of involvement. 
    SD Fails to attain the criteria for CR, PR, or PD 
    PD§ (1) > 50% increase in size (SPD) of any organs involved at baseline; or (2) new organ involvement; or (3) loss of response: in those with PR or CR, > 50% increase from nadir in the size (SPD) of any previous organ involvement 
    Relapse New organ involvement in those with CR 

Skin tumor burden is assessed by counting the number of lesions before, during, and after therapeutic intervention regardless of morphology (macular, papular, or nodular; ulcerated or nonulcerated). Nodules or tumors > 2 cm should be captured separately. It may be particularly useful for the investigator to note the number of lesions in the body areas.20  Total body photographs offer additional help in tracking lesions and making assessments.

*

The term increased disease activity (IDA) has been introduced for an increase of number of papulonodular lesions (< 2 cm), which does not imply impaired prognosis.

Larger lesions are defined as > 2 cm in diameter. Persistent lesions are defined as lesions, which do not show spontaneous regression after 12 weeks.

It is still unsolved and a matter of debate whether involvement of lymph nodes and viscera in LYP exists at all or whether the occurrence of CD30+ lymphoma in lymph nodes and viscera represents ALCL, even if clonally related to LYP. Use of FDG-PET scan in this instance is compatible with other NHLs.

§

Whichever criterion occurs first.

Table 9

Global Response Score for LYP and PCALCL

Global Score*DefinitionSkinNodeViscera
LYP     
    CR Complete disappearance of all clinical evidence of disease CR CR or NI NI 
    PR Regression of measurable disease CR No CR but no PD NI 
  PR No PD NI 
    SD Failure to attain CR, PR, or PD representative of all disease SD or IDA (Table 8, point I) No PD NI 
    PD Progressive disease PD in any category PD in any category PD in any category 
    Relapse Recurrence disease in prior CR Relapse in any category Relapse in any category Relapse in any category 
PCALCL     
    CR Complete disappearance of all clinical evidence of disease CR Both categories have CR or NI Both categories have CR or NI 
    PR Regression of measurable disease CR Both categories do not have a CR or NI but no PD Both categories do not have a CR or NI but no PD 
  PR No category has a PD; and if either category is involved at baseline, at least one has a CR or PR No category has a PD; and if either category is involved at baseline, at least one has a CR or PR 
    SD Failure to attain CR, PR, or PD representative of all disease PR No category has a PD; and if either is involved at baseline, no CR or PR in either No category has a PD; and if either is involved at baseline, no CR or PR in either 
   CR/NI, PR, OR SD in any category and neither category has a PD CR/NI, PR, OR SD in any category and neither category has a PD 
    PD Progressive disease PD in any category PD in any category PD in any category 
    Relapse Recurrence disease in prior CR Relapse in any category Relapse in any category Relapse in any category 
Global Score*DefinitionSkinNodeViscera
LYP     
    CR Complete disappearance of all clinical evidence of disease CR CR or NI NI 
    PR Regression of measurable disease CR No CR but no PD NI 
  PR No PD NI 
    SD Failure to attain CR, PR, or PD representative of all disease SD or IDA (Table 8, point I) No PD NI 
    PD Progressive disease PD in any category PD in any category PD in any category 
    Relapse Recurrence disease in prior CR Relapse in any category Relapse in any category Relapse in any category 
PCALCL     
    CR Complete disappearance of all clinical evidence of disease CR Both categories have CR or NI Both categories have CR or NI 
    PR Regression of measurable disease CR Both categories do not have a CR or NI but no PD Both categories do not have a CR or NI but no PD 
  PR No category has a PD; and if either category is involved at baseline, at least one has a CR or PR No category has a PD; and if either category is involved at baseline, at least one has a CR or PR 
    SD Failure to attain CR, PR, or PD representative of all disease PR No category has a PD; and if either is involved at baseline, no CR or PR in either No category has a PD; and if either is involved at baseline, no CR or PR in either 
   CR/NI, PR, OR SD in any category and neither category has a PD CR/NI, PR, OR SD in any category and neither category has a PD 
    PD Progressive disease PD in any category PD in any category PD in any category 
    Relapse Recurrence disease in prior CR Relapse in any category Relapse in any category Relapse in any category 

NI indicates noninvolved.

Because of overlapping histologic and phenotypic features of CD30+ LPDs, the final diagnosis has to be based on a synthesis of clinical, histologic, phenotypic, and molecular genetic findings. Because diagnostic workup requires a close collaboration between clinicians and dermatopathologists or pathologists, patients with CD30+ LPDs should best be managed in centers specialized for cutaneous lymphomas. In regard to the lack of evidence for all reported therapies, prospective controlled and randomized trials are urgently needed to evaluate the effect of therapeutic interventions in CD30+ LPDs.

The publication costs of this article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. Therefore, and solely to indicate this fact, this article is hereby marked “advertisement” in accordance with 18 USC section 1734.

Contribution: W.K., M.H.V., and R.W. conceived and designed the study, analyzed and interpreted the data, and supervised the study; W.K., K.P., and A.C. acquired the data; W.K., M.H.V., and E.O. drafted the manuscript; W.K., K.P., S.O.-M. performed statistical analysis; and all authors critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content.

Conflict-of-interest disclosure: M.B. and B.D. are members of the French scientific board of Cephalon. M.D. is a starting investigator initiated in trial of SGN35 with Seattle genetics. S.H. received research funds and has consulted for Seattle Genetics, Allos, Celgene, and Merck. Y.H.K. has consulted for Seattle Genetics, Allos, and Millennium. H.M.P. is on the advisory boards for Celgene and Merck. S.W. is on the advisory boards for Roche and Novartis. The remaining authors declare no competing financial interests.

Correspondence: Werner Kempf, Department of Dermatology, Cutaneous Lymphoma Study Group, University Hospital Zürich, Gloriastrasse 31, CH-8091 Zürich, Switzerland; e-mail [email protected].

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Author notes

*

The groups involved in the consensus recommendations are as follows: European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), International Society of Cutaneous Lymphoma (ISCL), and United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium (USCLC).

K.P. and M.H.V. contributed equally to this study.

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