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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
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
SJI 2020 special issue: A catalogue of Ovarian Cancer targets for CAR therapy
Emmanuelle Benard1, Nicholas P Casey1, Else Marit Inderberg1
1Translational Research Unit, Section for Cellular Therapy, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract:
Ovarian Cancer (OC) is currently difficult to cure, mainly due to its late detection and the advanced state of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, conventional treatments such as debulking surgery and combination chemotherapy are rarely able to control progression of the tumour, and relapses are frequent. Alternative therapies are currently being evaluated, including immunotherapy and advanced T cell-based therapy. In the present review, we will focus on a description of those Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) that have been validated in the laboratory or are being tested in the clinic. Numerous target antigens have been defined due to the identification of OC biomarkers, and many are being used as CAR targets. We provide an exhaustive list of these constructs and their current status. Despite being innovative and efficient, the OC-specific CARs face a barrier to their clinical efficacy: the tumour microenvironment (TME). Indeed, effector cells expressing CARs have been shown to be severely inhibited, rendering the CAR T cells useless once at the tumour site. Herein, we give a thorough description of the highly immunosuppressive OC TME and present recent studies and innovations that have enabled CAR T cells to counteract this negative environment and to destroy tumours.
Insights
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy shows promise for ovarian cancer (OC). Overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is key for CAR T cells to effectively target and destroy OC tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Ovarian cancer (OC) is challenging to treat due to late detection and frequent relapses.
- Conventional treatments like surgery and chemotherapy have limited efficacy in controlling advanced OC.
- Immunotherapy and T cell-based therapies, including Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, are emerging as alternative treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) constructs targeting ovarian cancer (OC) biomarkers.
- To detail the current status of OC-specific CARs in laboratory validation and clinical trials.
- To explore the challenges posed by the ovarian cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) and strategies to overcome them.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of validated and clinically tested CAR constructs for ovarian cancer.
- Analysis of identified OC biomarkers used as CAR targets.
- Examination of the immunosuppressive characteristics of the OC tumor microenvironment (TME).
- Review of recent innovations enabling CAR T cells to counteract the TME.
Main Results:
- Numerous OC-specific CAR constructs targeting defined biomarkers have been developed.
- Many CARs are progressing through laboratory validation and clinical trials.
- The immunosuppressive OC tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly inhibits CAR T cell efficacy.
- Innovations are emerging to help CAR T cells overcome TME-induced suppression.
Conclusions:
- CAR T cell therapy holds significant potential for treating ovarian cancer.
- Overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for enhancing CAR T cell therapy's clinical success in OC.
- Further research into TME-modulating strategies is essential for effective CAR T cell-based ovarian cancer treatment.
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