Current Status and Future Prospects of CAR-T Cell Therapy in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the most deadly gynecologic cancers and is often detected at an advanced stage when the disease is disseminated. Initial disease control can be achieved with cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, but recurrence is very common. Fluctuation of the CAR-T therapy in some types of hematologic malignancy has sparked interest in perhaps expanding this therapy to ovarian cancer; this is still to be seen. This review assesses the available clinical evidence without making the assumption that findings in blood cancers can be directly extrapolated to a solid tumor. Based on the level of evidence supporting each target, mesothelin, FRα, MUC16/CA125 and B7-H3 are considered. The results have been variable; and stable disease has been seen often, while significant regression and complete remissions are rare. Combination strategies, fertility issues and practical limitations that still remain in the use of CAR-T therapy in ovarian cancer are also discussed.