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An essential property of the immune system is its ability to generate diverse antibody and T-cell mediated responses to virtually any potential foreign particle. The basic molecular mechanisms responsible for producing this extensive diversity have now been elucidated. Each T cell expresses a unique membrane bound T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) which combines with specific antigenic peptides and major histocompatibility complex molecules. The characterization of TCR usage now represents a focal point for many studies of inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. Such studies are helping to clarify the pathogenesis of T-cell mediated diseases and provide the basis for the development of specific therapies. This paper will review several techniques used to identify neoplastic T-cell clones in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Similar methods may be used to analyse TCR gene usage in cutaneous inflammatory dermatoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]