Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal malignant gynecologic
tumors, characterized by an uncertain presentation and poor outcomes. With or without
neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery followed by
platinum-based
chemotherapy and maintenance
therapy are the basis for the treatment of
ovarian cancer patients, but the outcome is still highly restricted by their advanced stage when diagnosed and high recurrence rate after
chemotherapy. To enhance the anti-
tumor effect and postpone recurrence, anti-
VEGF agents and
PARP inhibitors are suggested as maintenance
therapy, but the population that can benefit from these treatments is small. Based on the interactions of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment,
immunotherapies are being explored for
ovarian cancer treatment. Disappointingly, the
immune checkpoint inhibitors show relatively low responses in
ovarian cancer. As shown in several studies that have uncovered a relationship between DC infiltration and outcome in
ovarian cancer patients, dendritic cell (DC)-based treatments might have a potential effect on
ovarian cancer. In this review, we summarize the functions of dendritic cells (DCs) in the tumor microenvironment, as well as the responses and drawbacks of existing clinical studies to draw a comprehensive picture of DC
vaccine treatment in
ovarian cancer and to discuss the promising future of immune
biomarkers.