Immunological phenotypes of twelve cases of nonepidermotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

The immunologic phenotypes of 12 cases of nonepidermotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma are reported. All cases consisted of mature peripheral T-cells. There were 9 cases of helper T-cell (Th) phenotype and 2 cases of suppressor T cell (Ts) phenotype. One case, however, expressed both the Th and Ts phenotypes. Two separate cases displayed OKT9 positivity. OKT6 positive lymphoid cells were found in the dermis during the early and late stages of the disease. We suggest that these OKT6 positive cells should represent a dermal infiltrate of Langerhans cells of immature T-cells.