Grant: Proof of Principle Program - Phase I

T lymphocytes are a type of immune cells responsible for mounting normal immune reaction of the body. However, when their growth is out of control, they develop into lymphomas, a type of cancers. One type of T cell lymphoma is derived from T lymphocytes that reside in the skin, thus called cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). The patients develop red and flaking skin changes that resemble the common non-malignant skin diseases such as dermatitis or psoriasis, resulting in frequent misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis of CTCL. Therefore, patients with CTCL often receive inappropriate therapies. In advanced stages, the malignant T cells migrate into the blood and disseminate throughout the body, causing death. The main reason for the misdiagnosis and delay in diagnosis is the lack of a specific and sensitive diagnostic test for the malignant cells at present. We believe this will change because of the identification of a highly specific and sensitive molecular marker we had identified recently in our lab. This marker is called TOX (for thymocyte selective high mobility box binding protein). In this project, we propose to develop a highly reliable diagnostic test for CTCL based on this marker using an advanced and highly reliable antibody generation technology. This diagnostic test, named SeeTCL, which will be of unlimited supply and easy application in diagnostic laboratories throughout the world. It has the potential of revolutionizing the way CTCL is diagnosed and treated in the near future.