Longitudinal Modulation of Loco-Regional Immunity in Ovarian Cancer Patients Receiving Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The immune tumor microenvironment (TME) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) exhibits complex effector and suppressive roles.
• Understanding immune changes during chemotherapy is crucial for predicting treatment response and tumor involution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To longitudinally evaluate biomarker expression in serial specimens during intraperitoneal (IP) platinum-based chemotherapy for EOC.
• To identify immune correlates of chemotherapy-induced tumor involution.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal collection of serial biological samples (IP fluid, plasma, tumor tissue) during IP chemotherapy.
• Analysis of RNA via NanoString, Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) multiplex assay, and ELISA for anti-MUC1 antibodies.
• Evaluation of gene expression and protein markers to assess immune cell function and activation.

Main Results:

• Chemotherapy induced an upregulation of B cell function and Th2 immune responses, alongside a dampening of Th1 immunity in IP fluid.
• MSD and gene expression analyses confirmed Th2 immunity activation and complement system involvement.
• Anti-MUC1 antibodies were detected in IP fluid, and IP fluid analysis revealed chemotherapy-induced B cell function genes in a secondary cohort.

Conclusions:

• Serial intraperitoneal fluid sampling is an effective method for capturing dynamic changes in the EOC immune TME during chemotherapy.
• The study reveals chemotherapy-induced alterations in B cell function and Th2-biased immunity.