Autoimmune disease-associated lymphomas: research progress and review

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are linked to a higher risk of lymphoma.
• Sjögren's disease shows a particularly high standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for lymphoma.
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma are common subtypes in ADs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, and treatment of lymphomas associated with autoimmune diseases.
• To elucidate the bidirectional relationship between ADs and specific lymphoma subtypes.
• To explore the role of immune dysregulation and external factors in ADs-associated lymphomagenesis.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of epidemiological studies.
• Analysis of pathological mechanisms including immune-inflammatory pathways.
• Evaluation of risk factors, including intrinsic disease features, treatments, and gene-environment interactions.
• Review of current and emerging therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

• Strong epidemiological links exist between ADs (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's disease) and lymphoma subtypes.
• Chronic inflammation, regulatory cell dysfunction, and autoantibodies are key pathogenic drivers.
• Epstein-Barr virus and immune complexes contribute to oncogenesis.
• Risk factors are multifactorial, involving disease characteristics, treatments, and environmental exposures.

Conclusions:

• Managing ADs-associated lymphomas requires balancing inflammation control with minimizing treatment risks.
• Targeted therapies (rituximab, BTK inhibitors) and HSCT show promise but are influenced by immune status.
• Future research should focus on multi-omics for risk stratification, novel immunotherapies, and optimized care models.