The last decade has seen a stormy development in molecular biology, immunology and genetics. Dramatic advances in laboratory and clinical procedures in cellular immunotherapy, along with the development of powerful immuno-modulatory agents, have created New Opportunities in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer.
Immunotherapy techniques currently under investigation for the treatment of ovarian cancer include: the use of antitumor antibodies; the combination of antibodies with radioisotopes, immuno-toxins or chemotherapeutic drug conjugates; and the development of vaccines to initiate cellular immune responses against ovarian cancer. Despite these advances, ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of death: “Most patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage and many of those relapse within two years; most die within five years. Given these grim outcomes, there is definitely a vast unmet need for the development of alternate therapies.” Dr. Kandalaft spoke about the novel immunotherapeutic strategy she and her team have been refining over the past few years, which was a two-step immunotherapy approach where patients receive a personalised vaccine developed from their own blood cells and tumour. |
Dr. Lana Kandalaft a world-renowned oncologist whose research on immunotherapy on ovarian cancer is cutting-edge. She was recently appointed Director of Developmental Therapeutics Service, and Director of Clinical Development of the Immuno oncology Service, at the Department of Oncology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV).
Dr. Kandalaft spoke about the novel immunotherapeutic strategy that she and her team have been refining over the past few years. This is an innovative two-step immunotherapy approach where patients receive a personalised vaccine developed from their own blood cells and tumour. More on Dr. Kandalaft here |