PROSPECTS FOR AN IMMUNOLOGICAL APPROACH TO THERAPY OF OVARIAN-CANCER

Characterisation of changes in expression of carbohydrates and peptide s on cancer mucins enables a reconsideration of immunotherapy of ovari an cancer. Natural immune responses to cancer mucins have been demonst rated. Some results with cell extracts have been encouraging, but ther e are inherent limitations to using such mixtures for immunotherapy. S uccessful animal model studies with synthetic vaccines have demonstrat ed that pretreatment with low dosage cyclophosphamide can be used to i nhibit suppressor activity induced by natural cancer mucins. Prelimina ry results from clinical trials with synthetic vaccines challenge us t o redefine 'successful' cancer therapy. Combination biomodulation stra tegies may become the therapy of the future for ovarian cancer.