11-03-2016 | Gynecologic cancers | Article
Anti-PD-L1/PD-1 immune therapies in ovarian cancer: basic mechanism and future clinical application
Journal: International Journal of Clinical Oncology
Authors: Masaki Mandai, Junzo Hamanishi, Kaoru Abiko, Noriomi Matsumura, Tsukasa Baba, Ikuo Konishi
Publisher: Springer Japan
Abstract
Tumor immune therapy, especially anti-programmed cell death ligand-1/programmed cell death-1 (PD-L1/PD-1) treatment, is currently the focus of substantial attention. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of mortality from gynecological malignancies, and novel treatment modalities, including immune therapy, are needed. However, a basic understanding of tumor immunity associated with the PD-L1/PD-1 signal has only recently emerged. In this review, we first discuss the importance of local tumor immunity, which affects the clinical outcome of ovarian cancer. We subsequently provide an overview of the basic findings regarding how the PD-L1/PD-1 signal influences local tumor immunity in ovarian cancer. Finally, we discuss what is needed to apply immune therapy in future clinical medicine.