Targeting Ovarian Cancer Immune Resistance
Abstract
One of the biggest challenges to extending patient survival from recurrent ovarian cancer is to understand how these tumors can hide from detection by the immune system. Immunotherapy encompasses treatments that use the body's own immune system to help fight cancer. Despite successes in other types of cancer, immunotherapy treatments for ovarian tumors have had limited success in promoting patient survival. Our proposal will build upon the idea that ovarian tumors can upregulate protective molecules and that these provide a shield against immune cell attack. We are studying a tumor-associated change that is very common to ovarian cancer. We are using mouse tumor models whereby changes in tumor and immune cell interactions can be evaluated in fine detail. The objective of our work is to provide proof-of-principal that either genetic or drug-mediated inhibition of a specific tumor signaling protein may weaken the immune defense shield and enable immunotherapy to work better. This tumor associated protein is focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and we are testing whether FAK inhibition removes a protective shield allowing for immune cell infiltration and killing of tumor cells. The results of this work may support future clinical trials of combinatorial therapies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1160520
Entities
People
- David D Schlaepfer
Organizations
- University of California Regents