Loss of B1 and marginal zone B cells during ovarian cancer

Recent advances in immunotherapy have not addressed the challenge presented by ovarian cancer. Although the peritoneum is an accessible locus for this disease there has been limited characterization of the immunobiology therein. We investigated the ID8-C57BL/6J ovarian cancer model and found marked depletion of B1 cells from the ascites of the peritoneal cavity. There was also selective loss of the B1 and marginal zone B cell subsets from the spleen. Immunity to antigens that activate these subsets validated their loss rather than relocation. A marked influx of myeloid-derived suppressor cells correlated with B cell subset depletion. These observations are discussed in the context of the housekeeping burden placed on innate B cells during ovarian cancer and to foster consideration of B cell biology in therapeutic strategies to address this challenge.

Automated summary

This study investigates the immunobiology of the peritoneum in ovarian cancer, revealing reduced B1 cells in the ascites and selective loss of B1 and marginal zone B cell subsets in the spleen. These findings suggest a correlation between the depletion of B cell subsets and the influx of myeloid-derived suppressor cells during ovarian cancer.