From the Research
Yes, there is a link between Sézary syndrome and raised eosinophils, as the malignant T cells in Sézary syndrome produce cytokines that stimulate eosinophil production and activation. Sézary syndrome, a rare and aggressive form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, is often associated with eosinophilia (elevated eosinophil counts in the blood) 1. This occurs because the malignant T cells in Sézary syndrome produce cytokines, particularly interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-5 (IL-5), which stimulate eosinophil production and activation. Some key points to consider:
- Eosinophilia is reported in approximately 15-30% of Sézary syndrome patients and can be a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker.
- The degree of eosinophilia may correlate with disease severity and progression in some cases.
- When evaluating a patient with suspected Sézary syndrome, a complete blood count with differential should be performed to assess eosinophil levels, along with flow cytometry, skin biopsies, and other specialized tests.
- Treatment of the underlying Sézary syndrome with appropriate therapies such as extracorporeal photopheresis, retinoids, interferon, histone deacetylase inhibitors, or chemotherapy typically leads to normalization of eosinophil counts as the disease responds to treatment 2. It's worth noting that while the exact mechanisms and relationships between Sézary syndrome and eosinophilia are complex and involve various cytokines and immune responses, the association between the two is supported by the production of specific cytokines by malignant T cells in Sézary syndrome 3, 1.