Gamma-delta T-cell lymphomas

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (TCLs) are uncommon neoplasms, accounting for about 12% of all lymphoid tumors worldwide. TCLs in which γδ T-cell receptors are expressed (γδ TCLs) are extremely aggressive and rare (≤1% of lymphoid neoplasms). γδ TCLs originate from γδ T cells, a small subset of peripheral T cells with direct antigen recognition capability acting at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity. Two distinct γδ TCL entities are recognized: hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL) and primary cutaneous γδ T-cell lymphoma (PCGD-TCL). HSTL is a well-characterized extranodal lymphoma that has a disguised onset, secondary to intrasinusoidal infiltration of the spleen, liver and bone marrow, has a rapidly progressive course that is poorly responsive to chemotherapy, and often ensues in the setting of immune system suppression. PCGD-TCL can present with prominent epidermal involvement or with a panniculitis-like clinical picture that can be complicated by a concurrent hemophagocytic syndrome; the disease shows biological and phenotypic overlap with other extranodal γδ TCLs that involve the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract mucosa. The regular application of phenotypic and molecular techniques is crucial for the diagnosis of γδ TCLs. In this Review, we discuss the clinical and biological features, the diagnostic challenges and the therapeutic perspectives of HSTL and PCGD-TCL. © 2009 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.