Genetic predisposition to early mycosis fungoides: investigating genetic polymorphisms in tissue-resident memory T-cell genes

Objectives Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphoma; it arises from tissue-resident memory T-cells (TRM). In the present study, we investigated potential functional genetic variations that may predispose MF development. Methods A case–control study was conducted using whole-exome sequencing, with a focus on genes that are essential to TRM function. Results We included 21 patients and 19 healthy subjects in the study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the following genes were significantly more common in patients than in healthy subjects: GZMB, HLA-DRB1, CD103, and NOTCH1. Moreover, the number of patients carrying single nucleotide polymorphisms in LAG3, NR4A2, and CD26L was significantly greater in the patient group than in the control group. Conclusions The presence of genetic variations in one or more TRM functional gene may predispose patients to develop MF. Further studies involving a larger patient population and a comparative analysis of protein expression will be necessary to validate these findings.