Characterization of Cytotoxic Macrophages in a Pre-Clinical Model of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Driven Lymphoproliferative Disease

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is an oncogenic herpes virus associated with the development of malignancies associated with poor outcomes. Current treatments lead to further immune suppression, increasing the risk of EBV reactivation and other opportunistic infections. Strategies aimed at reversing the immune-suppressive microenvironment are likely to result in more durable responses while avoiding deleterious effects of chemotherapy. It is well-established that macrophages play an important role in inhibiting the anti-tumor response as evidenced by poor prognosis associated with increasing tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) density or lower ratio of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Here we describe a pre-clinical model showing the expansion of cytotoxic TAMs and potential mechanisms to prevent this immunosuppressive environment.