Dataset Information

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is infiltrated with activated CD8⁺ T-cells despite immune checkpoint signaling.

ABSTRACT:

Background

B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) are hematologic malignancies that arise in the lymph node. Despite this, the malignant cells are not cleared by the immune cells present. The failure of anti-tumor immunity may be due to immune checkpoints such as the PD-1/PDL-1 axis, which can cause T-cell exhaustion. Unfortunately, unlike Hodgkin lymphoma, checkpoint blockade in NHL has shown limited efficacy.

Methods

We performed an extensive functional analysis of malignant and non-malignant lymph nodes using high dimensional flow cytometry. We compared follicular lymphoma (FL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and lymph nodes harboring reactive hyperplasia (RH).

Results

We identified an expansion of CD8+PD1+ T-cells in the lymphomas relative to RH. Moreover, we demonstrate that these cells represent a mixture of activated and exhausted T-cells in FL. In contrast, these cells are nearly universally activated and functional in DLBCL. This is despite expression of counter-regulatory molecules such as PD-1, TIM-3, and CTLA-4, and the presence of regulatory T-cells.

Conclusions

These data may explain the failure of single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of DLBCL. Accordingly, functional differences of CD8+ T-cells between FL and DLBCL may inform future therapeutic targeting strategies.

SUBMITTER: Greenbaum AM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9242835 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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