From the Guidelines
Lymphoma is a dangerous condition because it compromises the immune system, making patients more susceptible to serious illnesses and infections. Lymphoma is a cancer that affects lymphocytes, which are white blood cells crucial for immune function. When lymphoma develops, these abnormal lymphocytes don't work properly and can crowd out healthy immune cells, weakening the immune system's ability to fight infections 1. This is further supported by the fact that patients with cancer, including lymphoma, often experience a compromised immune system due to chronic inflammation, impaired and/or decreased function of elements of the hematopoietic lineage, and treatments that compromise immune function 1.
The impact of lymphoma on the immune system can vary depending on the type of lymphoma (Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin) and its stage. Some lymphomas grow slowly while others progress rapidly, but all types can potentially compromise immune function to some degree, increasing infection risk and complicating treatment. Additionally, lymphoma treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can further suppress immune function temporarily.
Key points to consider include:
- Lymphoma can compromise immune function, increasing the risk of infections 1
- The type and stage of lymphoma can affect the degree of immune suppression 1
- Lymphoma treatments can further suppress immune function, increasing the risk of infections 1
- Vaccination is an important consideration for patients with lymphoma, with nonlive vaccines generally considered safe but live virus vaccines typically contraindicated in patients with severely compromised immune systems 1
From the Research
Lymphoma and the Immune System
- Lymphoma is a type of cancer that can compromise the immune system, making it a dangerous condition 2, 3, 4.
- An intact immune system plays a critical role in suppressing lymphomagenesis, and immunomodulation can be used as a therapeutic strategy for lymphoma 2, 5, 6.
- The tumor microenvironment in lymphoma plays a crucial role in the survival and growth of the tumor, and immunotherapy can be used to target this microenvironment and produce an effective anti-tumor response 5, 6.
Immune System Dysfunction in Lymphoma
- Lymphoma can lead to immune regulatory disorder phenotypes, including autoimmunity, hyperinflammation, immunodeficiency, and infection 3.
- Immunological imbalance can contribute to lymphomagenesis and disease progression, while lymphoma can also weaken immunosurveillance and facilitate immunoevasion 3.
- The immune system is a critical target for new therapies in lymphoma, and treatment strategies that modulate immunity can have a profound effect on disease progression or resolution 5, 3, 6.
Immunotherapy in Lymphoma
- Immunotherapy has shown promise in the treatment of lymphoma, with therapies such as checkpoint inhibitors and CAR T-cells producing remarkable results in some patients 5, 6.
- Combination strategies that attack lymphoma cells and activate immune responses are being explored, including combinations of checkpoint blocking antibodies, agonistic antibodies, immunomodulatory agents, and CAR T-cells 5, 6.
- The aim of immunotherapy in lymphoma is to optimize immune function and improve patient outcomes, and future approaches will focus on developing effective combination strategies 5, 6.