Cytokine therapy of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: interferons, interleukin-12, and interleukin-2.

It is well accepted that cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL), including mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome, represent lymphomas that are highly responsive to immune modifying agents. Furthermore, the recent emphasis on the use of cytokine-related therapeutics is based upon the exceedingly important role of the host immune response in effecting progression of disease. In this article we discuss the data that support the importance of the host immune response in the control of progression of CTCL and the role that cytokine therapy has in supporting the host immune response and the effects of this approach to induce regression of skin and systemic disease.