Figure 2.

Immunometabolic evasion mechanisms of B-cell lymphomas and CLL. Metabolic alterations lead to the reduction of essential immune cell nutrients and at the same time to the generation of bioactive metabolites. In addition to their direct immuno-suppressive nature, these byproducts also increase the frequencies of tolerogenic, suppressive immune cells (such as Tregs, myeloid-derived suppressor cells [MDSCs] and M2-like macrophages) either indirectly via the creation of favorable conditions or directly inducing their differentiation. Furthermore, certain metabolic programs can promote the expression of immune checkpoints such as PD-L1. Taken together, these events ultimately lead to the overall suppression of immune attack and increase the tumor cells’ survival and persistence.