Lymphoma microenvironment: culprit or innocent?

• Published in: Leukemia Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 49 - 58
• Main Authors: HERREROS, B, SANCHEZ-AGUILERA, A, PIRIS, M. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing 01.01.2008; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Antigens; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Marrow - pathology; Care and treatment; Cell cycle; Cellular signal transduction; Chemokines; Cytokines; Dendritic cells; Diagnosis; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Hepatitis C; Humans; Infections; Leukemia; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Lymphocytes; Lymphoma; Lymphoma - pathology; Lymphomas; Medical sciences; Translocation (Genetics); Tumors; Viruses; United States; CD40; Hematology; BCR signaling; Malignant hemopathy; Lymphoid neoplasm; Microenvironment; BAFF/ APRIL; chemokines; Lymphoma; Chemokine; Signal transduction; Lymphoproliferative syndrome; C-Onc gene; B cell activating factor; B lymphocyte stimulator; lymphoma microenvironment; Cancer
• ISSN: 0887-6924; 1476-5551
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2404970

Studies are revealing that lymphoid neoplasms are characterized by well-defined chromosome translocations and by the accumulation of subsequent molecular alterations involving mainly the cell cycle and/or apoptotic pathways. However, survival of B and T tumor cells is also dependent on the interactions with the accompanying cells that comprise the lymphoma microenvironment. Although non-tumor cells can contribute both positive and negative signals to the lymphoma cells, in this review we present compelling evidence of the essential influence of the tumor microenvironment on the initiation and progression of specific lymphoma types, highlighting some new therapeutic approaches that target the lymphoma microenvironment.