Pei-Ling Chen, MD, PhD, is a member of the Pathology and Cutaneous Oncology Departments at Moffitt Cancer Center and a member of the Moffitt Cutaneous Lymphoma Multidisciplinary Clinic specializing in the research and treatment of patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Chen offers her thoughts on results from the phase 3 FLASH trial (NCT02448381) analyzing synthetic hypericin (HyBryte) for patients with CTCL. Hypericin is a potent photosensitizer applied to skin lesions that is taken up by the malignant T cells, and then activated by visible light 16 to 24 hours later.

In data published in June 2022, investigators found that hypericin induced a response rate of 16% vs 4% with placebo (

 = .04) following 6 weeks of therapy. Chen said hypericin may represent an important new therapy for patients with early-stage disease.

Videos

Pei-Ling Chen, MD, PhD, gives her perspective on results from the phase 3 FLASH trial investigating synthetic hypericin in CTCL.

Dr. Chen on FLASH Trial Results in CTCL

Pei-Ling Chen, MD, PhD, is a member of the Pathology and Cutaneous Oncology Departments at Moffitt Cancer Center and a member of the Moffitt Cutaneous Lymphoma Multidisciplinary Clinic specializing in the research and treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Dr. Chen recently published results of a multiomics profiling of 56 patients with transformed CTCL that may represent the first time investigators have identified a potential genomic cause for poorer outcomes for Black patients with CTCL.

Investigators determined that, compared with White patients, Black patients showed a reduced UV signature and enrichment of a unique signature cluster with DNA mismatch repair. Chen and her collegues speculate that these factors drive the race-based disparity in outomes in CTCL. 

Pei-Ling Chen, MD, PhD, discusses genomic findings that may explain poorer outcomes for Black patients with CTCL.

Dr. Chen Explores Possible Genomic Basis for Racial Disparities in CTCL Outcomes

Chen recently published results of a multiomics profiling of 70 FFPE skin biopsies and 16 fresh tissue specimens from 56 patients with transformed CTCL. She and her team sought to elucidate the genomic landscape and identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities of this disease.

Investigators managed to separate the genomic signature between normal benign immune cells and malignant T cells. In time, she hopes these discoveries. Long term, Chen hopes these discoveries lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for CTCL.

Pei-Ling Chen, MD, PhD, discusses findings from a study the multiomics of patients with transformed CTCL that she led at Moffitt Cancer Center. 

Dr. Chen on Identifying Malignant T-Cell Signatures in CTCL

Men are more likely to develop CTCL than women, Chen explains. The median age at diagnosis is 55 to 60 years. and risk increases with age.

Black patients have a higher incidence rate of CTCL, younger age of onset, higher disease burden, and inferior survival compared with their White counterparts. Furthmore, Chen said the racial coorelates of CTCL are poorly understood and require further study.

Pei-Ling Chen, MD, PhD, discusses epidemiology and racial disparities in CTCL.

Dr. Chen Discusses Racial Disparities in CTCL 

Pei-Ling Chen, MD, PhD, is a member of the Pathology and Cutaneous Oncology Departments at Moffitt Cancer Center and a member of the Moffitt Cutaneous Lymphoma Multidisciplinary Clinic specializing in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

CTCL is a rare subset of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with an annual incidence of 7.7 cases per million persons, according the SEER data. The most common form of CTCL, mycosis fungoides (MF) accounts for upward of 60% of CTCLs. MF is characterized by cutaneous patch, plaque, or tumor lesions. 

Dr Chen discusses the epidemiology, miology, prepresentation, and common forms of early- and advanced stage CTCL. Early-stage CTCL is incurable but treatable. Advanced disease can be disfiguring and fatal.

Pei-Ling Chen, MD, PhD, discusses the incidence of CTCL.

Pei-Ling Chen, MD, PhD

Articles

Dr. Chen on FLASH Trial Results in CTCL

Dr. Chen Explores Possible Genomic Basis for Racial Disparities in CTCL Outcomes

Dr. Chen on Identifying Malignant T-Cell Signatures in CTCL

Dr. Chen Discusses Racial Disparities in CTCL

Dr. Chen Highlights Incidence of CTCL