High Expression of IKZF2 in Malignant T Cells Promotes Disease Progression in Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma
- Acta Derm Venereol. 2021 Dec 7;101(12):adv00613. doi: 10.2340/actadv.v101.570.
- 1. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Peking University First Hospital, No.8 Xishiku Street, Xi Cheng District, Beijing 100034, China. [email protected].
Cutaneous T cell lymphoma is a generally indolent disease derived from skin-homing mature T cells. However, in advanced stages, cutaneous T cell lymphoma may manifest aggressive clinical behaviour and lead to a poor prognosis. The mechanism of disease progression in cutaneous T cell lymphoma remains unknown. This study, based on a large clinical cohort, found that IKZF2, an essential transcription factor during T cell development and differentiation, showed stage- dependent overexpression in the malignant T cells in mycosis fungoides lesions. IKZF2 is specifically over- expressed in advanced-stage mycosis fungoides lesions, and correlates with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, overexpression of IKZF2 promotes cutaneous T cell lymphoma progression via inhibiting malignant cell Apoptosis and may contribute to tumour immune escape by downregulating major histocompatibility complex II molecules and up-regulating the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 by malignant T cells. These results demonstrate the important role of IKZF2 in high-risk cutaneous T cell lymphoma and pave the way for future targeted therapy.