Macrophages in ovarian cancer and their interactions with monoclonal antibody therapies

Beyond 2D cell cultures: how 3D models are changing the in vitro study of ovarian cancer and how to make the most of them

3D cell cultures are a fundamental tool in ovarian cancer research that can enable more effective study of the main features of this lethal disease, including the high rates of recurrence and chemoresistance. A clearer, more comprehensive understanding of the biological underpinnings of these phenomena could aid the development of more effective treatments thus improving patient outcomes. Selecting the most appropriate model to investigate the different aspects of cell biology that are relevant to cancer is challenging, especially since the assays available for the study of 3D cultures are not fully established yet. To maximise the usefulness of 3D cell cultures of ovarian cancer, we undertook an in-depth review of the currently available models, taking into consideration the strengths and limitations of each approach and of the assay techniques used to evaluate the results. This integrated analysis provides insight into which model-assay pair is best suited to study different parameters of ovarian cancer biology such as cell proliferation, gene expression or treatment response. We also describe how the combined use of multiple models is likely to be the most effective strategy for the in vitro characterisation of complex behaviours.

Immunotherapy for Ovarian Cancer: Disappointing or Promising?

Ovarian cancer, one of the deadliest malignancies, lacks effective treatment, despite advancements in surgical techniques and chemotherapy. Thus, new therapeutic approaches are imperative to improving treatment outcomes. Immunotherapy, which has demonstrated considerable success in managing various cancers, has already found its place in clinical practice. This review aims to provide an overview of ovarian tumor immunotherapy, including its basics, key strategies, and clinical research data supporting its potential. In particular, this discussion highlights promising strategies such as checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, and pericyte transfer, both individually and in combination. However, the advancement of new immunotherapies necessitates large controlled randomized trials, which will undoubtedly shape the future of ovarian cancer treatment.

The prognostic significance of tumor-immune microenvironment in ascites of patients with high-grade serous carcinoma

BACKGROUND

High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is often associated with ascites at presentation. Our objective was to quantify immune cells (ICs) in ascites prior to any treatment was given and evaluate their impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-seven patients with primary HGSC and ascites were included. Flow-cytometric analysis was performed to detect percentages of CD3+ T cells (CD4+, CD8+, Tregs, and NKT cells), B cells, NK cells (CD56brightCD16- and CD56dimCD16+ subsets), macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Furthermore, CD103 expression was analyzed on T cells and their subsets, while PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on all ICs. Cut-off of low and high percentages of ICs was determined by the median of variables, and correlation with PFS and OS was calculated.

RESULTS

CD3+ cells were the predominant ICs (median 51%), while the presence of other ICs was much lower (median ≤10%). CD103+ expression was mostly present on CD8+, and not CD4+ cells. PD-1 was mainly expressed on CD3+ T cells (median 20%), lower expression was observed on other ICs (median ≤10%). PD-L1 expression was not detected. High percentages of CD103+CD3+ T cells, PD-1+ Tregs, CD56brightCD16- NK cells, and DCs correlated with prolonged PFS and OS, while high percentages of CD8+ cells, macrophages, and PD-1+CD56brightCD16- NK cells, along with low percentages of CD4+ cells, correlated with better OS only. DCs were the only independent prognostic marker among all ICs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results highlight the potential of ascites tumor-immune microenvironment to provide additional prognostic information for HGSC patients. However, a larger patient cohort and longer follow-up are needed to confirm our findings.

Targeting tumor-associated macrophages for successful immunotherapy of ovarian carcinoma

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is among the top five causes of cancer-related death in women, largely reflecting early, prediagnosis dissemination of malignant cells to the peritoneum. Despite improvements in medical therapies, particularly with the implementation of novel drugs targeting homologous recombination deficiency, the survival rates of patients with EOC remain low. Unlike other neoplasms, EOC remains relatively insensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors, which is correlated with a tumor microenvironment (TME) characterized by poor infiltration by immune cells and active immunosuppression dominated by immune components with tumor-promoting properties, especially tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). In recent years, TAMs have attracted interest as potential therapeutic targets by seeking to reverse the immunosuppression in the TME and enhance the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy. Here, we review the key biological features of TAMs that affect tumor progression and their relevance as potential targets for treating EOC. We especially focus on the therapies that might modulate the recruitment, polarization, survival, and functional properties of TAMs in the TME of EOC that can be harnessed to develop superior combinatorial regimens with immunotherapy for the clinical care of patients with EOC.

Macrophages Promote Ovarian Cancer-Mesothelial Cell Adhesion by Upregulation of ITGA2 and VEGFC in Mesothelial Cells

Ovarian cancer is a metastatic disease that frequently exhibits extensive peritoneal dissemination. Recent studies have revealed that noncancerous cells inside the tumor microenvironment, such as macrophages and mesothelial cells, may play a role in ovarian cancer metastasis. In this study, we found that human ovarian cancer cells (A2780 and SKOV3) adhered more to human mesothelial Met5A cells stimulated by macrophages (M-Met5A) in comparison to unstimulated control Met5A cells. The mRNA sequencing revealed that 94 adhesion-related genes, including FMN1, ITGA2, COL13A1, VEGFC, and NRG1, were markedly upregulated in M-Met5A cells. Knockdown of ITGA2 and VEGFC in M-Met5A cells significantly inhibited the adhesion of ovarian cancer cells. Inhibition of the JNK and Akt signaling pathways suppressed ITGA2 and VEGFC expression in M-Met5A cells as well as ovarian cancer-mesothelial cell adhesion. Furthermore, increased production of CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and CCL5 by macrophages elevated ovarian cancer-mesothelial cell adhesion. These findings imply that macrophages may play a significant role in ovarian cancer-mesothelial cell adhesion by inducing the mesothelial expression of adhesion-related genes via the JNK and Akt pathways.

Immune cell-antibody interactions in health and disease

The human immune system safeguards against pathogens through a multitude of cellular and molecular signals, involving different components of the innate and adaptive response. Contrastingly, autoimmune diseases, allergic conditions, and cancer evoke different aspects of these otherwise protective processes. Understanding the immunological hallmarks for each pathological setting is essential for improving prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. The activatory states of immune effector cells, especially in relation to their direct or indirect interactions with antibodies, are important determinants of an efficient, protective response that results in target clearance and improved clinical outcomes. Dysregulation of effector cells and their functions alongside alternatively activated humoral immune responses may contribute to several chronic diseases including allergic inflammation, autoimmune disorders and cancer. This Review Series brings to the forefront several key activation and regulatory features of immune effector cells in different diseases including cancer, infection allergy, and autoimmunity. Specific attention is drawn on how antibodies can impact effector cell states, and their pro-inflammatory and immune protective functions. Articles in this Series discuss different effector cells and antibody isotypes in infection, inflammation, tolerance and cancer immune surveillance, covering basic and translational mechanisms, clinical and epidemiological insights into these immune responses. Understanding the critical attributes of immune cells, especially those needed to effectively engage antibodies, will undoubtedly help better exploit their potential for disease management and therapy.

Spheroid Formation and Peritoneal Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Stromal and Immune Components

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecological cancers, with the worst prognosis and the highest mortality rate. Peritoneal dissemination (or carcinomatosis) accompanied by ascites formation is the most unfavorable factor in the progression and recurrence of OC. Tumor cells in ascites are present as either separate cells or, more often, as cell aggregates, i.e., spheroids which promote implantation on the surface of nearby organs and, at later stages, metastases to distant organs. Malignant ascites comprises a unique tumor microenvironment; this fact may be of relevance in the search for new prognostic and predictive factors that would make it possible to personalize the treatment of patients with OC. However, the precise mechanisms of spheroid formation and carcinomatosis are still under investigation. Here, we summarize data on ascites composition as well as the activity of fibroblasts and macrophages, the key stromal and immune components, in OC ascites. We describe current knowledge about the role of fibroblasts and macrophages in tumor spheroid formation, and discuss the specific functions of fibroblasts, macrophages and T cells in tumor peritoneal dissemination and implantation.