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

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.

Automated summary

Lymphomas are tumors that grow in an inflammatory microenvironment, and the cells in this environment are crucial for the growth and survival of neoplastic cells. These cells are recruited by cytokines/chemokines. Lymphomas include a diverse group of tumors that invade various lymphoid structures and may originate from different types of lymphocytes at different stages of differentiation.