Track

Clinical Studies

Abstract

Patients with Sézary syndrome are routinely monitored using peripheral blood flow cytometry as a determinant of disease status and response to treatment. Despite the frequency with which this test is utilized, its direct clinical translation and predictive value is not defined. To address this gap in knowledge, we conducted a retrospective review of clinical and flow cytometry data for 40 patients with Sézary syndrome identified from a flow cytometry database from 12/03/2021–8/24/2023. Primary objectives were to determine whether absolute Sézary counts directly correspond to cutaneous disease activity and if they are predictive of treatment response and disease recurrence. Absolute Sézary count and blood rating were recorded for each flow cytometry study, which was temporally matched to a clinical visit. Data collected for each visit included body surface area (BSA) involved, estimated clinical response (complete response, partial response, stable disease, or progressive disease) to treatment based on percentage change from prior BSA, and clinical exam descriptions. We found a significant correlation between absolute Sézary count and clinical response (P < 0.001). Additionally, there was a significant difference in absolute Sézary count between levels of clinical response, with complete response having the lowest count (P < 0.001). Notably, these analyses do not factor in the effect of time. In the next phase of our study, we will examine the relationship between absolute Sézary count and both time to complete response and time to disease recurrence, granting valuable insight into the prognostic utility of flow cytometry in Sézary syndrome.