Emerging Role and Future Directions of Immunotherapy in Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2018 Dec;32(6):1025-1039. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2018.07.011. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Abstract

Clinical progress in cancer immunotherapy has been slow; however, within the last 5 years, breakthrough successes have brought immunotherapy to the forefront in cancer therapy. Promising results have been observed in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Most treatment modalities have shown limited efficacy as monotherapy. The complex nature of cancer and the immunosuppressive microenvironment emphasizes the need to personalize immunotherapy by manipulating the patient's own immune system. For successful and long-lasting cure of cancer, a multimodal approach is essential, combining antitumor cell therapy with manipulation of multiple pathways in the tumor microenvironment to ameliorate tumor-induced immunosuppression.

Keywords: Adoptive T-cell therapy; Cancer testis antigens; Cancer vaccines; Checkpoint blockade; IDO inhibition; Immunotherapy; Neoantigens; Oncolytic virotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial* / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Immunotherapy / trends*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology*