The role of immune cells in ovarian cancer progression
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of immune cells in ovarian cancer progression
IRAS ID
331603
Contact name
Agnieszka Michael
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of SUrrey
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This is a study looking at immune cells in ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer continues to be known as "silent killer" and despite years of research the outlook for patients has not changed dramatically , approximately 50% of patients are alive 5 years after diagnosis. In almost all types of cancer the key to successful treatment is timely diagnosis and radical treatment. Introduction of immunotherapy to cancer treatment has revolutionised cancer treatment and many patients now live longer lives as a result of immunotherapy. Ovarian cancer unfortunately does not seem to respond to immunotherapy. Despite the evidence of immune activation, immunotherapy in ovarian cancer has a limited role. There is evidence of many immunosuppressive mechanisms that hamper response to immunostimulatory agents and further research is required to understand the process. This study proposes to look at the immune cells in cancer in more detail. We plan to focus on macrophages , the type of immune cells that is prevalent in ovarian cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. It has been identified recently that that tumour infiltrating macrophages (TAM) can stimulate tumours to grow. It appears that TAM can take up fats (lipids) and become a distinct class of macrophages called Tumour Lipid Associated Macrophages (T-LAM). T-LAM have been associated with increased disease recurrence and non-response to immunotherapy.
We plan to study the macrophages in tumour tissue, blood, ascitic and pleural fluid (if available).REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0284
Date of REC Opinion
14 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion