Immunological parameters as a new lead in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer

T Baert; D Timmerman; I Vergote; A Coosemans

Immunological parameters as a new lead in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer

Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2015;7(1):67-72.

Authors

T Baert¹, D Timmerman², I Vergote¹, A Coosemans¹

Affiliations

¹ UZ Leuven, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. ; Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
² UZ Leuven, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. ; Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

PMID: 25897373
PMCID: PMC4402445

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of pelvic gynecological cancer death in Europe. Prognosis is poor in women diagnosed at stage III to IV or in case disease recurs. Platin-based chemotherapy and radical surgery have already improved prognosis significantly. Novel strategies in the treatment of ovarian cancer are being searched for. The study of the immune system as a valuable parameter in the development of ovarian cancer has been neglected for a long time. Nevertheless, this is a field in full progression and might open new perspectives in the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer patients and could lead to a more motivated choice of targeted therapies.

Keywords: Ovarian cancer; diagnosis; immunosuppression; myeloid derived suppressor cells; prognostic marker; regulatory T cell; tumor-associated macrophages.