Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine in different stages of mycosis fungoides: Tissue and serum levels

Background/Objectives: Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (CCL17) is a member of the CC chemokines known to attract T-helper 2 type memory T cells and to participate in different T-helper 2 diseases. The aim of this study is to determine both serum and tissue levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine in patients with different stages of mycosis fungoides. Methods: Thirty-two patients with different stages of mycosis fungoides and 10 controls were included in the study. Skin biopsies and blood samples were taken to evaluate both tissue and serum levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results: The mean tissue level of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine in 10 tumour-stage patients was significantly higher (P = 0.002) than in the controls. The mean serum level of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine in all stages of mycosis fungoides patients was not significantly elevated (P = 0.131, 0.725 and 0.622) compared with controls. Both tissue and serum levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine correlated significantly with both the disease extent and duration in the three different stages of mycosis fungoides. Conclusion: Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine may be a marker for disease activity of mycosis fungoides, and may have a role in monitoring disease progression.