Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). The disease is characterised by long term clinical progression from patch through plaque to tumour stage. Erythrodermic variants also exist. Cytokine balance is considered to be of major importance for pathogenesis of MF. The aim of the study was to evaluate glycosylation profiles of selected acute phase proteins (APP) reflect the cellular processes in various stages of MF. Acute phase proteins may serve as a laboratory marker of cytokine network function: changes in APP level reflect changes in cytokine balance and are easier to follow analytically.

Sera samples were obtained from 52 patients with MF, aged from 33 to 82 years. Patients were classified after the staging evaluation into four groups: 13 patients with MF in patch stage (IA+IB), 12 patients with plaque stage (IIA), 12 patients with tumour stage (IIB), 15 patients with erythroderma (IVA). Sera from 20 healthy subjects served as controls. Concentrations of alpha₁-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and alpha₁-antichymotrypsin (ACT were measured using Laurell rocket electrophoresis, whereas glycosylation profiles were estimated using crossed affinity immunoelectrophoresis with Con A as ligand, acc. to Bog-Hansen. Results were analyzed using STATISTICA 6.0 Software.

An inflammatory reaction clearly exists in all MF patients, as the concentrations of AGP and ACT were increased. The lowest intensity of acute phase reaction is shown in plaque stage (IIA) of MF. An increase in the concentration of AGP was described previously in many inflammatory processes. Its synthesis is stimulated mainly by IL-6, suggesting a constant production of this cytokine in all except the plaque stages of MF. ACT concentration is related to necrotic processes or traumatic events with massive tissue damage. In patients with MF the concentrations of AGP and ACT seem to increase in parallel, as if stimulated by the same factor. Our results suggest that in a course of MF a generalised inflammatory reaction, known as acute phase response, is present in all patients. The changes of glycosylation profiles were seen in all except patients with patch stage MF, with the highest intensity for patients with erythroderma. It suggests that in early stage of MF the inflammatory reaction seems to be acute and changes during progression of the disease towards chronic image.