Case Report: Cutaneous niche-restricted malignant phenotypes in PTCL-NOS revealed by single-cell sequencing - Report - MDSpire

Case Report: Cutaneous niche-restricted malignant phenotypes in PTCL-NOS revealed by single-cell sequencing

  • By

  • Shucheng Zhang

  • Zhuqing Li

  • Yang Lin

  • Xiaoyue Sun

  • Meng Qiao

  • Xiaoqing Si

  • May 26, 2026

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Clinical Report: Single-Cell Sequencing Uncovers Malignant Skin-Restricted Phenotypes in PTCL-NOS

Overview

This report presents a case study of a 67-year-old male with PTCL-NOS and cutaneous involvement, highlighting the aggressive nature of the disease and poor response to treatment. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed distinct malignant T-cell phenotypes in skin lesions compared to peripheral blood, providing insights into the tumor microenvironment's role in disease progression.

Background

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) is a heterogeneous and aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, accounting for 15-20% of lymphoid neoplasms. The presence of cutaneous involvement often indicates a poor prognosis, with limited treatment options and high rates of treatment resistance. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving this aggressive behavior is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data presented in the article.

Key Findings

  • Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed hyperproliferative malignant T cells in skin lesions with activation of NF-κB and IL-17 signaling.
  • Blood-derived lymphoma cells exhibited immune evasion signatures and metabolic stress markers.
  • Copy number variation analysis confirmed clonal expansion in both skin and blood compartments.
  • The patient experienced primary refractory disease despite multiple chemotherapy regimens.
  • This case is the first to report a single-cell transcriptomic comparison of skin and blood in PTCL-NOS.

Clinical Implications

The findings underscore the importance of understanding the tumor microenvironment in PTCL-NOS, particularly in cases with cutaneous involvement. Targeting specific pathways identified in malignant T cells may offer new therapeutic strategies for improving patient outcomes.

Conclusion

This case study highlights the aggressive nature of PTCL-NOS with cutaneous involvement and the potential for single-cell sequencing to inform targeted treatment approaches. Further research is needed to explore compartment-specific therapies based on these findings.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Blood Cancer Journal, Targeted genomic analysis of cutaneous T cell lymphomas identifies a subset with aggressive clinicopathological features, 2020
  2. Blood Cancer Journal, CDK9 as a Critical Factor in GATA-3 Driven T-cell Lymphomas Independent of MCL-1, 2025
  3. Blood Cancer Journal, Multi-Omics Analysis of Three Hematological Cancers in a Patient Identifies Their Origin from Clonal Hematopoietic Stem Cells, 2023
  4. Blood Cancer Journal, Molecular Profiling Reveals Two Distinct Subtypes of Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm with Unique Clinical Features, 2022
  5. Peripheral T- and natural killer-cell lymphomas: ESMO-EHA Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, 2023
  6. Frontline treatment strategies in peripheral T-cell lymphoma: A network meta-analysis of efficacy outcomes, 2025
  7. Single-nucleus dissection of peripheral T-cell lymphomas reveals distinct microenvironmental ecosystems and therapeutic vulnerabilities, 2025
  8. Peripheral T- and natural killer-cell lymphomas: ESMO-EHA Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up - PubMed
  9. Frontline treatment strategies in peripheral T-cell lymphoma: A network meta-analysis of efficacy outcomes. | Journal of Clinical Oncology
  10. Single-nucleus dissection of peripheral T-cell lymphomas reveals distinct microenvironmental ecosystems and therapeutic vulnerabilities - ScienceDirect

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