Cellular immunotherapy for ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, and although initially responsive to surgery and chemotherapy, has a high rate of recurrence and mortality. Cellular immunotherapy may offer the prospect of treatment to prevent or delay recurrent metastatic disease. OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of current innovations in cellular immunotherapy for ovarian cancer, with an emphasis on dendritic cell vaccination and adoptive T-cell immunotherapy. METHODS: Three key areas are explored in this review: first, an appraisal of the current state of the art of cellular immunotherapy for treatment of ovarian cancer; second, a discussion of the immunological defenses erected by ovarian cancer to prevent immunological attack, with an emphasis on the role of tumor-associated regulatory T cells; and third, an exploration of innovative techniques that may enhance the ability of cellular immunotherapy to overcome ovarian tumor-associated immune suppression. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Ovarian cancer is recognized as a paradigm for tumor-associated immune suppression. Innovative approaches for antagonism of tumor-associated regulatory T-cell infiltration and redirection of self antigen-driven regulatory T-cell activation may provide the key to development of future strategies for cellular immunotherapy against ovarian cancer.