The Tumor Microenvironment in Classic Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Responder and No-Responder Patients to First Line ABVD Therapy

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The extracellular matrix surrounding or infiltrating tumor tissues, tumor cells, endothelial cells, immune cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, as well as soluble molecules like cytokines and growth factors secreted by these cells, constitute the complex biological structure known as the tumor microenvironment (TME). The cellular and non-cellular components of TME have a role in the development of tumors and the immune response, which offers novel insights for targeted therapies. Depleting existing cells, stopping them from being attracted to tumor locations, and reprogramming them into antitumor subtypes are the three primary categories of therapeutic approaches. TME exhibits complicated connections between Hodgkin/Reed–Sternberg cells and microenvironment and plays a crucial role in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) as well. Numerous studies have demonstrated that an extensive understanding of the CHL microenvironment, including the identification of all cellular components and variables implicated in the pathogenesis, is essential for improving prognostic stratification and developing innovative targeted treatments. ABSTRACT: Although classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) is typically curable, 15–25% of individuals eventually experience a relapse and pass away from their disease. In CHL, the cellular microenvironment is constituted by few percent of H/RS (Hodgkin/Reed–Sternberg) tumor cells surrounded from a heterogeneous infiltration of inflammatory cells. The interplay of H/RS cells with other immune cells in the microenvironment may provide novel strategies for targeted immunotherapies. In this paper we analyzed the microenvironment content in CHL patients with responsive disease (RESP) and patients with relapsed/refractory disease to treatment (REL). Our results indicate the increase of CD68(+) and CD163(+) macrophages, the increase of PDL-1(+) cells and of CD34(+) microvessels in REL patients respective to RESP patients. In contrast we also found the decrease of CD3(+) and of CD8(+) lymphocytes in REL patients respective to RESP patients. Finally, in REL patients our results show the positive correlation between CD68(+) macrophages and PDL-1(+) cells as well as a negative correlation between CD163(+) and CD3(+).