Exploring the feasibility of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy in endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer

Abstract

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is the most common form of ovarian cancer and the deadliest gynecologic cancer in women (1), with a particularly poor prognosis because most cases are diagnosed as late-stage invasive disease (2). Despite advances in surgery and treatment, the 5-year survival rate is <50% for all EOC types (3). Epithelial ovarian carcinoma is classified into five major histologic subtypes, each of which has different cellular origins and molecular profiles. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma is the most common and aggressive form of EOC (2), followed by endometrioid ovarian carcinomas (EnOC) and ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCC), which are both grouped under the term “endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinoma” (EAOC).