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Biological therapy of ovarian cancer: current directions
1Department of Medical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.
Abstract:
Despite recent advances in the chemotherapy of ovarian cancer, the development of alternative therapies that retain activity against drug-resistant tumors remains a high priority. Our knowledge regarding growth factors, cytokines, and the immune response continues to expand, and molecular biology has provided an increased diversity of reagents for clinical evaluation. This review focuses on regulatory targets in ovarian cancer, including Her2/neu (c-erbB2) and other growth factor receptors; interferons, interleukins, and other immunoregulatory cytokines; cellular adhesion molecules; antigen-specific T lymphocytes and adoptive immunotherapy; choice of monoclonal antibody reagents and advances in antibody engineering, including recombinant single-chain binding sites, chimeric proteins, radioconjugates, cytotoxic drug conjugates, immunotoxins, and bispecific antibodies. Although specific roles for biologic therapy in the management of ovarian cancer have yet to be defined, current priorities for clinical research are reviewed.
Insights
Developing novel ovarian cancer therapies is crucial, especially for drug-resistant tumors. This review explores biologic targets and advanced antibody engineering for potential new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chemotherapy resistance is a major challenge in ovarian cancer treatment.
- Advances in understanding growth factors, cytokines, and immune responses offer new therapeutic avenues.
- Molecular biology provides diverse reagents for evaluating novel ovarian cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review regulatory targets in ovarian cancer.
- To explore advances in biologic therapies and antibody engineering for ovarian cancer.
- To identify current priorities for clinical research in ovarian cancer biologic therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on ovarian cancer targets and therapies.
- Focus on growth factor receptors (e.g., Her2/neu), cytokines (interferons, interleukins), and cellular adhesion molecules.
- Examination of antibody engineering techniques, including immunotoxins and bispecific antibodies.
Main Results:
- Identified Her2/neu and other growth factor receptors as key targets.
- Highlighted the potential of interferons, interleukins, and immunoregulatory cytokines.
- Discussed various antibody engineering strategies for targeted ovarian cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- Biologic therapies offer promising alternatives for ovarian cancer, particularly for resistant cases.
- Further clinical research is needed to define the specific roles of these novel agents.
- Advanced antibody engineering shows potential for developing more effective ovarian cancer treatments.