Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

An Orthotopic Model of Serous Ovarian Cancer in Immunocompetent Mice for in vivo Tumor Imaging and Monitoring of Tumor Immune Responses
10:35

An Orthotopic Model of Serous Ovarian Cancer in Immunocompetent Mice for in vivo Tumor Imaging and Monitoring of Tumor Immune Responses

Published on: November 28, 2010

18.9K

The Tumor Microenvironment of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and Its Influence on Response to Immunotherapy

Galaxia M Rodriguez1,2, Kristianne J C Galpin3,4, Curtis W McCloskey5,6

  • 1Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada. garodriguez@toh.ca.

Cancers
|July 26, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Immunotherapy shows limited success in epithelial ovarian cancer. Understanding tumor cells and the microenvironment is key to improving immunotherapy response for ovarian cancer patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Immunotherapy is a promising cancer treatment, but its efficacy in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains limited.
  • Challenges in EOC immunotherapy response stem from tumor cell characteristics and the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of factors within EOC cells and the TME that impact immunotherapy response.
  • To highlight key cellular and molecular components influencing treatment outcomes in ovarian cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research on EOC biology and immunotherapy.
  • Analysis of ovarian cancer cell features: tumor-associated antigens, exosomes, tumor mutational burden, and immunosuppressive molecules.
  • Description of TME components: immune cells (T/B lymphocytes, Tregs, NK cells, TAMs, MDSCs), fibroblasts, and omental adipocytes.

Main Results:

  • EOC cells possess features like tumor-associated antigens and immunosuppressive molecules that hinder immune responses.
  • The TME comprises diverse cell types, including various immune cells and stromal components, that modulate treatment efficacy.
  • Ovarian cancer-derived exosomes can influence the TME and immune evasion.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of EOC cell biology and TME interactions is crucial for developing effective immunotherapies.
  • Targeting specific tumor features and TME components may overcome resistance to current treatments.
  • Further research into these factors will guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer.
Keywords:
adipocytesascitescancer-associated fibroblastsepithelial ovarian cancerexosomesimmunosuppressionprognostic factorstumor infiltrating lymphocytestumor microenvironmenttumor-associated antigens

More Related Videos

Live Imaging of Drug Responses in the Tumor Microenvironment in Mouse Models of Breast Cancer08:26

Live Imaging of Drug Responses in the Tumor Microenvironment in Mouse Models of Breast Cancer

Published on: March 24, 2013

25.5K
Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression12:42

Heterotypic Three-dimensional In Vitro Modeling of Stromal-Epithelial Interactions During Ovarian Cancer Initiation and Progression

Published on: August 28, 2012

15.7K

Related Concept Videos

Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
2.0K
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
7.8K
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response01:15

Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response

Circadian rhythms are cyclic changes that are crucial in plasma drug concentrations. Various standard circadian parameters, including core body temperature, heart rate, and other cardiovascular factors, directly impact disease states and the therapeutic response to drug therapy.
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
371
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
6.0K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
9.8K
Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle...
4.1K