Immunotherapy of Ovarian Cancer with Particular Emphasis on the PD-1/PDL-1 as Target Points

Ovarian cancer is one of the most fatal cancers in women worldwide. Cytoreductive surgery combined with platinum-based chemotherapy has been the current first-line treatment standard. Nevertheless, ovarian cancer appears to have a high recurrence rate and mortality. Immunological processes play a significant role in tumorigenesis. The production of ligands for checkpoint receptors can be a very effective, and undesirable, immunosuppressive mechanism for cancers. The CTLA-4 protein, as well as the PD-1 receptor and its PD-L1 ligand, are among the better-known components of the control points. The aim of this paper was to review current research on immunotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer. The authors specifically considered immune checkpoints molecules such as PD-1/PDL-1 as targets for immunotherapy. We found that immune checkpoint-inhibitor therapy does not have an improved prognosis in ovarian cancer; although early trials showed that a combination of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy with targeted therapy might have the potential to improve responses and outcomes in selected patients. However, we must wait for the final results of the trials. It seems important to identify a group of patients who could benefit significantly from treatment with immune checkpoints inhibitors. However, despite numerous trials, ICIs have not become part of routine clinical practice for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

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Phytochemicals in Cancer Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom11081107 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1107

Author(s):

Juwon Lee ◽

Youngjin Han ◽

Wenyu Wang ◽

HyunA Jo ◽

Heeyeon Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Checkpoint ◽

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽

Therapeutic Option ◽

In Vitro Models ◽

Immune Checkpoints ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy ◽

Cancer Types

The interaction of immune checkpoint molecules in the tumor microenvironment reduces the anti-tumor immune response by suppressing the recognition of T cells to tumor cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is emerging as a promising therapeutic option for cancer treatment. However, modulating the immune system with ICIs still faces obstacles with severe immunogenic side effects and a lack of response against many cancer types. Plant-derived natural compounds offer regulation on various signaling cascades and have been applied for the treatment of multiple diseases, including cancer. Accumulated evidence provides the possibility of efficacy of phytochemicals in combinational with other therapeutic agents of ICIs, effectively modulating immune checkpoint-related signaling molecules. Recently, several phytochemicals have been reported to show the modulatory effects of immune checkpoints in various cancers in in vivo or in vitro models. This review summarizes druggable immune checkpoints and their regulatory factors. In addition, phytochemicals that are capable of suppressing PD-1/PD-L1 binding, the best-studied target of ICI therapy, were comprehensively summarized and classified according to chemical structure subgroups. It may help extend further research on phytochemicals as candidates of combinational adjuvants. Future clinical trials may validate the synergetic effects of preclinically investigated phytochemicals with ICI therapy.

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Utility of serum CA-125 monitoring in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy

Gynecologic Oncology ◽

10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.04.710 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 158 (2) ◽

pp. 303-308

Author(s):

Julia L. Boland ◽

Qin Zhou ◽

Alexia E. Iasonos ◽

Roisin E. O'Cearbhaill ◽

Jason Konner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Immune Checkpoint ◽

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽

Inhibitor Therapy ◽

Ca 125 ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy

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Dendritic Cell Vaccines in Ovarian Cancer

Frontiers in Immunology ◽

10.3389/fimmu.2020.613773 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Xi Zhang ◽

Tianhui He ◽

Yuan Li ◽

Ling Chen ◽

Hongyu Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Dendritic Cell ◽

Tumor Microenvironment ◽

Maintenance Therapy ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽

High Recurrence Rate ◽

Immune Biomarkers ◽

Dc Vaccine ◽

Platinum Based Chemotherapy

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal malignant gynecologic tumors, characterized by an uncertain presentation and poor outcomes. With or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy and maintenance therapy are the basis for the treatment of ovarian cancer patients, but the outcome is still highly restricted by their advanced stage when diagnosed and high recurrence rate after chemotherapy. To enhance the anti-tumor effect and postpone recurrence, anti-VEGF agents and PARP inhibitors are suggested as maintenance therapy, but the population that can benefit from these treatments is small. Based on the interactions of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, immunotherapies are being explored for ovarian cancer treatment. Disappointingly, the immune checkpoint inhibitors show relatively low responses in ovarian cancer. As shown in several studies that have uncovered a relationship between DC infiltration and outcome in ovarian cancer patients, dendritic cell (DC)-based treatments might have a potential effect on ovarian cancer. In this review, we summarize the functions of dendritic cells (DCs) in the tumor microenvironment, as well as the responses and drawbacks of existing clinical studies to draw a comprehensive picture of DC vaccine treatment in ovarian cancer and to discuss the promising future of immune biomarkers.

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