Research progress of T follicular helper cells in malignant lymphoma

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.2095-655X.2025.04.013

Abstract

Abstract:

As a master regulator of humoral immunity, T follicular helper (Tfh) cells play an indispensable role in germinal center formation and B cell differentiation and maturation. Dysregulation of Tfh cell function and quantity is critically implicated in the pathogenesis of various lymphomas. Beyond T cell lymphomas directly originating from Tfh cells, such as angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma, in B cell lymphoma, Tfh cells can support the survival of malignant B cells and shape an immunosupressive microenvironment via co-stimulatory signals and cytokines. This review summarizes the biology of Tfh cells, their roles and mechanisms in lymphomagenesis, and discusses therapeutic strategies targeting Tfh-related pathways, aiming to provide new perspectives for lymphoma immunotherapy.

Key words: T follicular helper cell, Lymphoma, Tumor microenvironment, Germinal center, Immunotherapy

Mengfan Yu, Daoping Sun. Research progress of T follicular helper cells in malignant lymphoma[J]. Chinese Journal of Diagnostics(Electronic Edition), 2025, 13(04): 284-288.

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