¹Dermatology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Correspondence: Dr Sam T. Hwang, Dermatology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Building 10/Rm12N238, 10 Center Dr, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. E-mail: hwangs@mail.nih.gov

Received 15 February 2008; Revised 9 April 2008; Accepted 18 April 2008; Published online 26 February 2009.

Abstract

Chemokine receptors are G-protein-coupled, seven-transmembrane-spanning surface receptors that play key roles in cell trafficking, cell motility, and survival. These receptors are activated by small molecular weight chemotactic cytokines called chemokines. Chemokine receptors play roles in the migration and localization of normal T cells (and other leukocytes) during physiological responses in inflamed or infected skin. In cancer cells, these receptors may also facilitate tumorigenesis, metastasis, and resistance to immune-mediated killing. This review will focus on recent data that reveal potential roles of specific chemokine receptors, including CCR4, CXCR4, and CCR10, in the pathophysiology of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, including mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome.