PD-1/PDL-1 Inhibitors as Immunotherapy for Ovarian Cancer

Programmed death 1 (PD-1), a member of the B7-CD28 immunoglobulin superfamily, and its ligands PD-L1/PD-L2 inhibit T-cell activation. They also play a key role in the tumor microenvironment, allowing for cancer immune escape. PD-1 is induced on a variety of immune cells, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), while PD-L1 is found on many types of solid tumors including ovarian cancer and some TILs. The use of immunocheckpoint inhibitors like anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 therapies has been shown to reactivate the immune system to attack tumor cells. Ovarian cancers have been shown to be responsive to anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 therapies, though immunocheckpoint inhibitors are not enough. Current research is evaluating combination therapies to improve response rates.