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Background: Systemic interferon is effective in the treatment of mycosis fungoides (MF). Imiquimod is effective in the treatment of some epidermal neoplasms and induces localized interferon production., Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical imiquimod 5% cream for the treatment of patch and plaque stage MF., Methods: Six patients with stage IA to IIB MF were treated with topical imiquimod 5% cream 3 times per week for 12 weeks in this open label pilot study. Index lesions were biopsied pre- and post- treatment, and up to 4 additional treated lesions were monitored for 16 weeks., Results: Three of 6 patients had histologic clearance of disease in index lesions, and also demonstrated significant improvement in the clinical scores for all treated lesions. A fourth patient had 2 of 4 lesions respond clinically. Application site reactions were limited to those patients responding to treatment., Conclusion: In this preliminary open label study topical imiquimod 5% cream was well tolerated and associated with a histologic and clinical response rate of 50%.

Discusses studies of systemic therapy for mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome. Description of mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome; Results of the studies of interferous in the mycosis fungoides and the Sézary syndrome; Description and function of photopheresis or extracorporeal photochemotherapy.

All forms of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma are rare in childhood. We describe an 8-year-old boy with plaque-stage mycosis fungoides stage IIA whose cutaneous eruption had been present for 5 years. Histologic examination revealed the presence of a granulomatous infiltrate together with atypical lymphocytes within the dermis. The child had an excellent response to combination psoralen-UVA (PUVA) with interferon-α2a treatment and is currently in remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]