Key Genes for Potential Ovarian Cancer Treatment Identified

Tumors of few women with high-grade serious ovarian cancer (HGSOC) contain tertiary lymphoid structures, or TLS (a type of lymphoid tissue) which is associated with a better prognosis (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Tumor and local lymphoid tissue interaction determines prognosis in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Go to source). The lymphatic system in our bodies helps fight off infection by producing immune cells such as T cells and antibodies. But TLS, which are in some ways similar to ‘normal’ lymphatic tissues, are being found by researchers in different types of tumors.

By analyzing tumors from 242 HGSOC patients before treatment and comparing them to progression free survival rates, the researchers found that women that had TLS in their tumors had a significantly better outcome. The study, published in Cell Reports Medicine and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, is one of the first times scientists have found TLS in women with high grade serious ovarian cancer and linked them to a better outcome.

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Lead researcher Dr. Haonan Lu, from the Department of Surgery and Cancer, said:

“People tend to think of all cancer cell activity as purely malignant – but the reality is less clear-cut. Tumors can hijack a number of normal body processes and here, they seem to be hijacking the formation of normal human lymph tissue within themselves. Some of these lymphoid structures are able to then mature and activate T cells, which could attack the cancer itself.”

Approximately 7,500 women are diagnosed with HGSOC each year, and because it is often discovered late, many patients experience disease relapse, leading to a five-year survival rate of below 40 percent. It’s presently treated with surgery and chemotherapy.

The team was able to pinpoint the relevant genetic mutations involved in the cancer’s TLS formation, some of which are known to have immune-suppressing functions. The researchers found that copy mutations in the genes IL15 and CXCL10 in HGSOC can inhibit the lymphoid tissue forming. They also found that another set of genes, including DCAF15, plays a role in interacting with the TLS tissues after they have been formed, probably making them more or less active.

Dr. Lu said: “There is great potential for targeting these genes for benefits in ovarian cancer treatment. It’s now becoming clear how the genetic background of the tumour type interacts with a TLS to have more or less TLS function, and that will help us identify potential targets for therapy.” The researchers have also, for the very first time, developed a potential method of identifying patients with high levels of TLS from standard CT scans, using artificial intelligence. This could ensure that those women who would benefit from different treatments are found more quickly.

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Although CT scans form part of standard treatment of the condition, TLS tissues are not visible to the human eye from a normal CT scan. But the research team has developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that was trained to detect the structures within the tumors and have successfully tested the algorithm on scans of patients at Hammersmith Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, known to have TLS tissues.

Professor Eric Aboagye, Professor of Cancer Pharmacology & Molecular Imaging at Imperial College London, said: “This non-invasive identification test means that oncologists will be able to determine if a patient has high or low TLS in future and treat them accordingly.”

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The researchers have now received a project grant from Target Ovarian Cancer to further investigate the relevant genetic mutations identified, and explore whether it’s possible to activate anti-tumor immunity for all HGSOC patients, even those without TLS in tumors.

Reference:

1. Tumor and local lymphoid tissue interaction determines prognosis in high-grade serous ovarian cancer - (https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(23)00211-2)

Source-Eurekalert