Accession Number:

AD1160520

Title:

Targeting Ovarian Cancer Immune Resistance

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Final Report]

Corporate Author:

CALIFORNIA UNIV REGENTS SAN DIEGO LA JOLLA CA

Personal Author(s):

• Schlaepfer, David D

Report Date:

2021-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

44

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 bodys 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.

Descriptors:

• health services
• medical personnel
• cells
• cell physiological processes
• chemistry
• chemical synthesis
• lymphocytes
• cell membrane structures
• chemical compounds
• cell movement
• cell membrane
• gene expression
• proteins
• mass spectrometry
• cancer
• genetics

Subject Categories:

• Biochemistry
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Medicine and Medical Research

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]