Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in lymphoma: The good, the bad and the ugly

Abstract

Lymphomas cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. A substantial number of patients ultimately relapse after standard treatment. However, the efficacy of these therapies can be counteracted by the patients' immune system, more specifically by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). MDSC are a heterogeneous group of immature myeloid cells that suppress the innate and adaptive immune system via different mechanisms and accumulate under pathological conditions, such as cancer. MDSC play a role in the induction and progression of cancer and immune evasion. Increased numbers of MDSC have been reported in different lymphoma subtypes and are associated with a poor clinical outcome. This review aims to clarify the role of MDSC and their working mechanism in different lymphoma subtypes. Furthermore, the effect of MDSC on immunotherapies will be discussed.

Keywords: Immunotherapy; Lymphoma; MDSC.