Maintenance therapy for CTCL: importance for prevention of disease progression

Abstract

There are no established maintenance protocols for cutaneous lymphomas. We aim to determine patient treatments and outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to uncover the most effective maintenance protocols for cutaneous lymphomas and impact of treatment interruption. Data was collected retrospectively from nine international institutions, including 149 patients. Younger patients had earlier stages of disease and were most frequently treated with skin-directed therapies including topical steroids, mechlorethamine gel, and phototherapy. Treatment interruption varied by treatment type and stage, with patients on topical therapies and earlier stages of disease being least likely to experience interruption. Treatment interruption was significantly associated with progression of disease and worse outcomes, with twice as many patients progressing who had interruption compared to those without interruption. This study may demonstrate the significance of continuous maintenance therapies, even in younger patients with early stages of disease.

Keywords: CTCL; Maintenance therapy; covid-19; cutaneous lymphoma; early-stage; treatments.