Targeting Tumor Associated Macrophages in Ovarian Cancer

Speaker:  Oliver Dorigo

The complex tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer plays a major role in modulating anti-tumor immune responses. The interaction of cancer cells with the diverse spectrum of immune effector cells has an important impact on the efficacy of immunotherapy approaches. Within the ovarian cancer microenvironment, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote tumor growth and mediate immune-suppression thereby effecting treatment responses. Novel therapeutic strategies that directly target TAMs, including blockade of M2 macrophages or enhancement of phagocytosis are currently being studied in clinical trials.