Mycosis Fungoides (MF) is a rare form of lymphoma that affects usually affects the skin causing inflammation, tumors, plaques, and redness. It only affects 3 to 4 people in a million. However, in its most aggressive form, it can spread to the lymph nodes, the blood, and internal organs. This severe form is known as Sezary syndrome. Its appearance in African Americans can be different and easily missed.
Willie Basse, has been diagnosed with MF, which now covers 80% of his body. He insisted on a biopsy “because of the severe itching and flaky dry skin”. As quoted Music Industry news network www.mi2n.com,
“I had no idea, but I listened to my body which was telling me something was wrong”.
Paul Raffer MD, was also diagnosed with MF. When his symptoms started, he too thought it was something common and harmless. His own doctor in Arizona sent him to the Stanford Multidisciplinary Cutaneous Lymphoma Clinic to confirm the diagnoses and be treated.
There are a number of treatments available both oral and topical. A newer gel formulation of mechlorethamine known as Valchlor was approved by the FDA in 2013, and research on MF continues.
A new phase I clinical trial is about to begin. It will involve injecting a substance called MRG-106 directly into the skin lesions, and in part B of the trial, injecting it subcutaneously. The trial will measure how quickly MRG-106 is absorbed in the blood and how long it takes to clear from the blood, as well as its effect on the cells in the skin lesions.
Like all phase I trials, the main goals are: Is it safe? Is it effective? When someone chooses to participate in the very earliest phase of medical research, they are the first to get access to a potentially new treatment, and their willingness to step into the unknown, is what advances treatment for all. Those patients for whom currently approved treatments cannot be tolerated, or for whom they are not effective, are usually the best candidates for a phase I clinical trial.
For this trial, there are three sites in California, and one in each of the following states: Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, and Utah.
