Immunologic principles and immunotherapeutic approaches in ovarian cancer

Ovarian tumors are immunogenic, and several ovarian-related antigens have been identified. The immunologic characteristics of the tumor microenvironment that may affect ovarian cancer growth are becoming increasingly understood. The type of immune-based approach selected to treat ovarian cancer depends on the tumor burden. For minimal disease states, active vaccination may be useful for generating adequate protection from relapse. For more advanced stage disease states, more rigorous strategies may need to be applied, such as adoptive T-cell therapy, cytokine infusions, antibody therapy, or a combination of different techniques. The immunosuppressive environment observed during advanced malignancy needs to be reversed for improved efficacy of immune-based therapies.