Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare cancer that begins in the white blood cells and primarily affects the skin. CTCL belongs to a broader category of cancers called non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Unlike many cancers that start in one organ and spread to the skin, CTCL originates in the skin, though it can eventually affect other parts of the body. Our Dupixent injury attorney can help if you have suffered this condition due to medication use.
How Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma Develops in the Skin
Your immune system relies on white blood cells called lymphocytes to fight infections and keep you healthy. T lymphocytes, or T cells, normally patrol your body looking for threats. In CTCL, these T cells develop genetic mutations that cause them to behave abnormally.
Healthy cells grow, divide, and eventually die according to instructions encoded in their DNA. When T cells develop CTCL-related mutations, those instructions become corrupted. The damaged cells multiply rapidly and resist the natural signals that would normally trigger cell death. Over time, these abnormal T cells accumulate in the skin.
CTCL takes several forms, with mycosis fungoides being the most common. This condition progresses slowly and typically stays confined to the skin, often appearing as patches or plaques. Sézary syndrome, a more aggressive form of CTCL, affects both the skin and blood and can spread more rapidly throughout the body.
Recognizing the Early Signs of CTCL
CTCL symptoms often mimic common skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Common warning signs include:
- Flat, scaly, or raised patches of skin, typically appearing in areas that receive little sun exposure
- Skin discoloration that appears pink, red, brown, or gray on lighter skin tones, or lighter patches on darker skin tones
- Lumps or nodules on the skin that may eventually break open
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Unexplained hair loss
- Thickened skin on the palms or soles of the feet
- A widespread, itchy rash covering large portions of the body
Treatment Options for Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma
Treatment for CTCL varies depending on the type and stage of the disease. For early-stage cases, doctors often start with topical treatments applied directly to the skin. These include steroid creams to reduce inflammation and itching, as well as chemotherapy ointments that target cancer cells locally.
When CTCL advances or doesn’t respond to skin-directed treatments, more intensive options become necessary. These include chemotherapy, immunotherapy drugs that help your immune system recognize and fight the cancer, or a bone marrow transplant to replace damaged cells.
The Link Between CTCL and Dupixent
Recent research has established a potential connection between CTCL and Dupixent, a drug used to treat asthma and skin conditions. A 2024 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that patients using Dupixent for atopic dermatitis faced more than four times the risk of developing CTCL compared to those not taking the medication.
Additional research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology examined FDA safety reports and found that Dupixent users reported CTCL at 30 times the rate of people taking other medications. These findings have sparked lawsuits from Dupixent patients who were diagnosed with CTCL.
Speak with a Dupixent Lawsuit Attorney Today
If you developed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma after taking Dupixent, the attorneys at Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC want to hear from you. Contact us at (800) 220-0984 to discuss your situation and explore your legal options—your initial consultation is free.