Clinical Implications of the Skin Microbiota in the Therapy of Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma: A Scoping Review

Cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL) are non-Hodgkin T cell malignancies defined by malignant T cell transformation and accumulation in the skin. Limited understanding of CTCL pathogenesis, including the role of the tumor microenvironment, hinders effective treatment. Emerging evidence implicates the skin microbiota as a key modulator of disease, with microbial dysbiosis contributing to progression and representing a novel therapeutic target. This review synthesizes findings from 37 rigorously selected studies, outlining current knowledge of the CTCL-associated microbiome, mycobiome, and virome. It evaluates therapeutic strategies aimed at microbial colonization, emphasizing the potential of modulating host-microbe interactions. Additionally, we provide comprehensive clinical insight into the indications for microbial-modulating strategies of the microbiota in CTCL.