Immunotherapy in Lymphoma
 

   In the last 5 years immunotherapy has seen major advancements in the treatment of solid tumors such melanoma as well as hematological malignancies. This new treatment leverages on the premise that patient’s immune system can be activated to kill cancers cells. It is changing the paradigm of cancer treatment as the only curative option when standard therapies fail.

The lymphoma cells (B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas) survival depends on how effectively it can evade the host immune responses.  They share features of both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Lymphoma cells create an immunosuppressive microenvironment that promotes its survival and growth. This immunosuppressive milieu promotes immuno-regulatory mechanisms to cause T cell dysfunction or T cell exhaustion thereby prevent effective T cells immune response against lymphoma. A better understanding of the interaction of lymphoma with the patient’s immune system is needed in order to enhance anti-tumor efficacy. 

My research aims to understand the interaction of lymphoma with host immune system and utilize radiation therapy to augment anti-tumor response. These studies intend to identify new targets that may enhance anti-tumor immunity and provide long lasting remissions.

Radiation Therapy as Immunotherapy in Lymphoma