Tumor-Host Cell Interactions in Ovarian Cancer: Pathways to Therapy Failure

Trends Cancer. 2017 Feb;3(2):137-148. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2016.12.005. Epub 2017 Jan 18.

Abstract

Although most ovarian cancer patients are highly responsive to chemotherapy, they frequently present with recurrent metastatic lesions that result in poor overall survival, a situation that has not changed in the last 20 years. This review discusses new insights into the regulation of ovarian cancer chemoresistance with a focus on the emerging role of immune and other host cells. Here, we summarize the complex molecular pathways that regulate the interaction between tumor and host cells, discuss the limitations of current in vitro and in vivo models for translational studies, and present perspectives for the development of innovative therapies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Communication / drug effects
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / genetics
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*