Tumour-reactive B cells and antibody responses after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation

Abstract

For many high-risk haematologic malignancies, such as acute myeloid leukaemia, the success of therapy relies mainly on invoking a curative antitumour immune response. This can be achieved by inducing a graft-versus-leukaemia response following allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation. While the contribution of T cells and natural killer cells to graft-versus-leukaemia responses is established, the contribution of B cells and antibodies is relatively unexplored. This article reviews what is known about the contribution of B cells and tumour-specific antibody responses to a successful graft-versus-leukaemia response leading to eradication of the tumour.

Keywords

• B lymphocytes
• tumor specific antibodies
• immunotherapy
• allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
• graft versus leukemia response