Facts, Views & Vision
in ObGyn

Journal of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy

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Immunological parameters as a new lead in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer

T. Baert1,2, D. Timmerman1,3, I. Vergote1,2, A. Coosemans1,2

1UZ Leuven, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
2Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
3Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

Correspondence at: Thais Baert, KU Leuven, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Herestraat 49, CDG, box 811, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Email: thais.baert@gmail.com

Keywords:

Ovarian cancer, diagnosis, prognostic marker, immunosuppression, regulatory T cell, myeloid derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages


Published online: Mar 31 2015

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of pelvic gynecological cancer death in Europe. Prognosis is poor in women diagnosed at stage III to IV or in case disease recurs. Platin-based chemotherapy and radical surgery have already improved prognosis significantly. Novel strategies in the treatment of ovarian cancer are being searched for. The study of the immune system as a valuable parameter in the development of ovarian cancer has been neglected for a long time. Nevertheless, this is a field in full progression and might open new perspectives in the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer patients and could lead to a more motivated choice of targeted therapies.