page_title: Cutaneous T cell lymphoma
section_title: Treatment
hierarchical_section_title: Cutaneous T cell lymphoma / Treatment
caption_attribution_description: English: ball-and-spoke 3D model image of the anticancer drog romidepsin
context_page_description: Cutaneous T cell lymphoma is a class of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a type of cancer of the immune system. Unlike most non-Hodgkin lymphomas, CTCL is caused by a mutation of T cells. The cancerous T cells in the body initially migrate to the skin, causing various lesions to appear. These lesions change shape as the disease progresses, typically beginning as what appears to be a rash which can be very itchy and eventually forming plaques and tumors before spreading to other parts of the body.
context_section_description: There is no cure for CTCL, but there are a variety of treatment options available and some CTCL patients are able to live normal lives with this cancer, although symptoms can be debilitating and painful, even in earlier stages. FDA approved treatments include the following: 
  (1999) Denileukin diftitox (Ontak)
  (2000) Bexarotene (Targretin) a retinoid
  (2006) Vorinostat (Zolinza) a hydroxymate histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor
  (2009) Romidepsin (Istodax) a cyclic peptide histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor
  (2018) Poteligeo (mogamulizumab-kpkc)
  Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are shown to have antiproliferative and cytotoxic properties against CTCL.Other (off label) treatments include:
  Topical and oral corticosteroids
  Bexarotene (Targretin) gel and capsules
  Carmustine (BCNU, a nitrosourea)
  Mechlorethamine (Nitrogen Mustard)
  Phototherapy (Broad & Narrow Band UVB or PUVA)
  Local and Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET)
  Conventional Radiation Therapy
  Photopheresis
  Interferons
  Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H)
  Methotrexate
  Pentostatin and other purine analogues (Fludarabine, 2-deoxychloroadenosine)
  Liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil)
  Gemcitabine (Gemzar)
  Cyclophosphamide
  Bone marrow / stem cells
  Allogenic transplantation
  Forodesine (Inhibits Purine Nucleoside phosphorylase)
  In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted orphan drug designation for a topical treatment for pruritus in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma to a pharmaceutical company called Elorac.
caption: Romidepsin
exif: {}