title: Immunological parameters as a new lead in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
abstract: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of pelvic gynecological cancer death in Europe. Prognosis is poor in women diagnosed at stage III to IV or in case disease recurs. Platin-based chemotherapy and radical surgery have already improved prognosis significantly. Novel strategies in the treatment of ovarian cancer are being searched for. The study of the immune system as a valuable parameter in the development of ovarian cancer has been neglected for a long time. Nevertheless, this is a field in full progression and might open new perspectives in the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer patients and could lead to a more motivated choice of targeted therapies.
authors.affiliation: UZ Leuven, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. ; Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baert
authors.affiliation: UZ Leuven, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. ; Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Timmerman
authors.affiliation: UZ Leuven, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. ; Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vergote
authors.affiliation: UZ Leuven, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. ; Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coosemans
keywords: Ovarian cancer; diagnosis; immunosuppression; myeloid derived suppressor cells; prognostic marker; regulatory T cell; tumor-associated macrophages