The Effect of the Tumor Microenvironment on Lymphoid Neoplasms Derived from B Cells

Abstract

Lymphomas are characteristic tumors surrounded by an inflammatory microenvironment. The cells of the microenvironment are essential for the growth and survival of neoplastic cells and are recruited through the effect of cytokines/chemokines. Lymphomas include heterogeneous groups of neoplasms infiltrating various lymphoid structures which may arise from B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells at various stages of their differentiation state. In this review article, we analyze the literature data concerning the involvement of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in the progression of lymphomas and the recent advances in the analysis of microenvironment components in the most common forms: some mature B cell lymphoma neoplasms and classic Hodgkin lymphomas. The complex crosstalk between the TME and tumor cells led to the discovery of many mechanisms usable as molecular-targeted therapy through the control of diverse elements of the TME, varying from inhibitors of angiogenic cytokines and their receptors to the regulation of cells’ activities and the novel immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Non-invasive detection of lymphoma with circulating tumor DNA features and protein tumor markers

“…The composition of TME cells holds relevance for the prognosis of B-cell lymphomas, including cHL, DLBCL and FL (46). It plays a pivotal role in various biological processes such as pathogenesis, progression, metastasis and drug resistance, facilitating sustained proliferation and immune escape (47,48). Tumor progression is profoundly shaped by the TME.…”

Harnessing natural killer cells for refractory/relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma: biological roles, clinical trials, and future prospective

“…2 ). The microenvironment in B-cell lymphoma is fascinating because it has crucial functions in regulating the survival and growth of tumor cells, promoting immune evasion, and contributing to the development of resistance to treatment [ 48 – 52 ]. It is worth mentioning that different cells within the TME can display pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic functions, as shown in Table 2 .…”

Molecular Diagnostic Review of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and Its Tumor Microenvironment

“…Although the morphologic appearance of DLBCL is that of a single cloned entity effacing its environmental niche, it is thought that other immune and non-immune cells likely play a part in the story. More recently, some groups have begun querying the interactions between DLBCL and its microenvironmental niche, an area in which solid carcinomas have already been well investigated [51,52].…”