Differential molecular programs of cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma and CD30-positive transformed mycosis fungoides

BACKGROUND: Discriminating between cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (cALCL) and CD30-positive transformed mycosis fungoides (CD30+ TMF) is challenging, particularly when they arise in the context of pre-existing mycosis fungoides. The development of molecular diagnostic tools was hampered by the rarity of both diseases and the limited understanding of their pathogenesis. METHODS: In this study, we established a cohort comprising 25 cALCL cases and 25 CD30+ TMF cases, with transcriptomic data obtained from 31 samples. We compared the clinicopathological information and investigated the gene expression profiling between these two entities. Furthermore, we developed an immunohistochemistry (IHC) algorithm to differentiate these two entities clinically. RESULTS: Our investigation revealed distinct clinicopathological features and unique gene expression programs associated with cALCL and CD30+ TMF. cALCL and CD30+ TMF displayed marked differences in gene expression patterns. Notably, CD30+ TMF demonstrated enrichment of T cell receptor signaling pathways and an exhausted T cell phenotype, accompanied by infiltration of B cells, dendritic cells, and neurons. In contrast, cALCL cells expressed high levels of HLA class II genes, polarized towards a Th17 phenotype, and exhibited neutrophil infiltration. An IHC algorithm with BATF3 and TCF7 staining emerged as potential diagnostic markers for identifying these two entities. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide valuable insights into the differential molecular signatures associated with cALCL and CD30+ TMF, which contribute to their distinct clinicopathological behaviors. An appropriate IHC algorithm could be used as a potential diagnostic tool.