Overview of tumor immunology in gynecologic oncology.

Abstract

Highlights of recent advances in the field of gynecologic tumor immunology are presented in an effort to demonstrate that at least some cancers of the female genitalia evoke an immune response that can be quantitated in the laboratory. The overview will discuss investigations into the various in vitro assays of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. The concept of clinical testing of delayed hypersensitivity reactions as it relates to the clinical outcome of the patients with malignancy is presented. Along this line, preliminary studies at our own institution are reviewed in an attempt to establish a rough correlation between patients with a healthy outcome and patients with a strong immunologic index as manifested by skin testing. A progress report on the isolation of tumor-associated antigens in cancer of the cervix and ovary is presented. The prevalence of carcinoembryonic antigen in the plasma of patients with gynecological malignancy is then discussed. Finally, approaches to immunotherapy are discussed, with a suggestion as to future directions.