PAK1 overexpression promotes cell proliferation in cutaneous T cell lymphoma via suppression of PUMA and p21

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) represents a heterogeneous group of skin-homing T cell tumors [1–3]. CTCL accounts for approximately two-thirds of all primary cutaneous lymphomas, of which mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common subtype [4,5]. During the last decades, the incidence of CTCL has steadily risen in several regions [6], which has resulted in heavy health and financial burdens. However, determining the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of CTCL are difficult for dermatologists; early stage CTCL, in particular, is often misdiagnosed as benign inflammatory dermatoses (BID) [7].