PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Wistar Institute has unveiled a groundbreaking approach to tackling ovarian cancer, potentially revolutionizing treatment outcomes for the deadliest of gynecological cancers. Led by Nan Zhang, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program at the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center, the research offers a promising method for shrinking tumors and enhancing chemotherapy efficacy. The findings are detailed in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
“This is the first time researchers have been able to indirectly target ovarian cancer cells in peritoneal fluid by inducing an immune reaction, in preclinical models,” said Zhang. The research, which focuses on the role of IL27, presents a novel strategy to combat metastatic ovarian cancer, a disease notorious for its resistance to chemotherapy and tendency to spread through the peritoneal cavity—a naturally immunosuppressive area.
Building on a century-old concept, Zhang’s team revisited past techniques by New York surgeon William B. Coley, who used dead pathogens to stimulate the immune system. Zhang’s approach specifically activates myeloid cells in the peritoneal cavity using a combination of β-glucan, a pathogen-derived myeloid cell activator, and interferon-gamma (IFNγ). This combination has shown promise in reversing immunosuppression around tumors, a critical factor in overcoming chemotherapy resistance.
“Our work has opened the door to a possible new method of treating a particularly aggressive cancer,” stated Brennah Murphy, Ph.D., the paper’s first author. Murphy emphasized the approach’s potential in treating chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer, marking a significant advancement in the field.
The preclinical results are promising, as the combination therapy demonstrated a substantial reduction in tumor burden in metastatic ovarian cancer models. This outcome was consistent across various strains, including those resistant to existing treatments.
The research team comprises experts from The Wistar Institute and collaborators from Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Their work has received funding from numerous prestigious bodies, including the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.
This innovative approach not only signifies a leap forward in ovarian cancer treatment but also highlights the potential for immune-based therapies in addressing other resistant forms of cancer. Looking ahead, Zhang and his team are eager to build on these findings, aiming to explore further strategies that could transform the landscape of cancer treatment.
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