Immuno-oncology of gynecological malignancies
Immuno-oncology of gynecological malignancies: From bench to bedside
The immune system plays a crucial role in the recognition and elimination of cancer cells. Immune T cells in particular are highly skilled at surveying the body and distinguishing malignant from normal cells for elimination. In this thesis, we focus on the three most prevalent gynecological malignancies; endometrial cancer, cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. To improve current treatment and prognosis of patients with gynecological malignancies new therapeutic strategies are needed. Immunotherapy is one of these novel therapeutic strategies that is currently of interest. Immunotherapy aims to activate or stimulate immune cells, such as T cells, to eradicate cancer cells. Immunotherapeutic approaches have led to impressive responses in patients with melanoma and lung cancer, and many more are under clinical investigation. However, only a selection of patients responds to immunotherapy. To be able to predict which patients will benefit from immunotherapy more knowledge on the interaction between the immune system and cancer cells is needed. The data in this thesis contributes to our understanding of the tumor immune biology of gynecological malignancies and may help guide therapeutic intervention in the near future.