Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
These therapies block proteins on immune cells called “checkpoints,” which hinder the immune system’s ability to identify and attack cancer. When the checkpoints are turned off, your immune system can better recognize and kill cancer cells.
Some examples of immune checkpoint inhibitors are dostarlimab (Jemperli) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda). These medications work to hinder the actions of proteins on cancer cells and T cells (an immune cell). Blocking these proteins, called PD-1 and PD-L1, interferes with cancer cells’ ability to hide and evade the body’s immune system, which helps the immune system locate and attack the cancer cells.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy
With CAR T-cell therapy, special T cells (a type of white blood cell) are removed from your body and modified in a lab. The enhanced cells are then placed back in your body, so they can find, attach to, and kill cancer cells.
CAR T-cell therapies have been effective for treating blood cancers, but they have not yet had similar success with solid tumors, including in ovarian cancer. Researchers are currently investigating methods that combine CAR T-cell treatments with checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, and other therapies to improve safety and effectiveness.
Cytokines
Cytokines are small proteins that carry messages between cells and regulate the growth and activity of immune cells, as well as blood cells that help the body’s inflammatory and immune responses.
When it comes to cytokines and ovarian cancer, the picture is complicated and contradictory. Research shows that certain types of interleukin (IL) and interferon (IFN), which are two kinds of cytokines, can be significant factors in the development of ovarian cancer. For example, some ILs have been found to contribute to tumor growth and the spread of cancer. But other ILs have been identified as potentially useful for early detection or treatment.
Similarly, while certain IFNs may play a role in chemotherapy resistance, others contribute to the effectiveness of radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other ovarian cancer treatments.
Researchers are currently working to understand the relationship between cytokines and ovarian cancer as they aim to advance the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Vaccines
Cancer vaccines teach T cells to respond to specific tumor antigens (substances that cause an immune response).
Oncolytic Viruses
With this treatment, doctors give patients modified viruses to infect and kill cancer cells.
Clinical trials studying oncolytic viruses are in the early stages, but the treatment has generally been shown to be safe. That said, research has indicated that these viruses have a modest impact on survival rates for ovarian cancer.
Ongoing trials are also examining whether combining oncolytic viruses with immune checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapies leads to an increase in the effectiveness of these treatments.
Read the full article here
