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← Mycosis Fungoides and Other Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas

HEALTH PROFESSIONAL · SOURCE READING

Chemotherapy

Source: Mycosis Fungoides and Other Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.

Source updated: February 19, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.

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Context: Treatment of Stage III and Stage IV Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome / Treatment Options for Stage III and Stage IV Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome

Chemotherapeutic agents generally demonstrate short durations of response. In a retrospective review of 198 patients with advanced-stage disease, the median TTNT was 4 months.[29] However, these comparisons may be confounded by the order in which the agents were introduced.

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Oral methotrexate (NCT00425555).[30]

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Fludarabine, cladribine, and pentostatin are active agents for mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome.[27,29,31-33]

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Single-agent chemotherapy or combination systemic chemotherapy (chlorambucil plus prednisone, mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate) often combined with treatment directed at the skin.[1,29,34,35]

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Topical chemotherapy with mechlorethamine.[36,37]

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Topical chemotherapy with mechlorethamine.[36,37]

This form of treatment may be used palliatively or to supplement therapeutic approaches directed against nodal or visceral disease. Topical application of mechlorethamine has produced regression of cutaneous lesions, with particular efficacy in early stages of disease. The overall complete remission rate is related to skin stage; 50% to 80% of TNM classification T1 patients, 25% to 75% of T2 patients, as many as 50% of T3 patients, and 20% to 40% of T4 patients have complete responses. The overall complete remission rate in 243 patients was 64% and was related to stage; as many as 35% of stage IV patients had complete responses. Treatments are usually continued for 2 to 3 years. Continuous 5-year DFS may be possible in as many as 33% of T1 patients.[19,36,37]

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Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.[38-40]

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Pralatrexate (folate analogue).[29,41,42]

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Studies cited in this source section

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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice