Ovarian cancer response to immunotherapy is limited; however, the evaluation of sensitive/resistant target treatment subpopulations based on stratification by tumor biomarkers may improve the predictiveness of response to immunotherapy. These markers include tumor mutation burden, PD-L1, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, homologous recombination deficiency, and neoantigen intratumoral heterogeneity. Future directions in the treatment of ovarian cancer include the utilization of these biomarkers to select ideal candidates. This paper reviews the role of immunotherapy in ovarian cancer as well as novel therapeutics and study designs involving tumor biomarkers that increase the likelihood of success with immunotherapy in ovarian cancer.

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While ovarian cancer typically responds well to front line treatment, many patients will relapse within 5 years. Treatment options are less effective at each recurrence highlighting the need for novel maintenance therapies. PolyADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have recently gained approval in ovarian cancer maintenance. Niraparib was approved regardless of BRCA mutation status, however impact on overall survival is limited. Oliparib was approved for BRCA mutant and BRCA wildtype/homologous recombination deficient patients. This review will focus on current frontline ovarian cancer treatment as well molecularly based approaches to ovarian cancer management.

Given recent advances in cancer immune therapy, specifically use of checkpoint inhibitors, understanding the link between autoimmunity and cancer is essential. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects about 1% of the population, and early diagnosis is key to prevent joint damage. Management consists of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs that alter normal immunologic pathways, which could affect malignancy growth and survival. Prolonged immune dysregulation and the resulting inflammatory response associated with development of RA may also lead to increased cancer development risk. RA has long been associated with increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [ 1 ] and further evidence supports relationship to lung cancer [ 2 ]. This review will address the mechanisms behind cancer development and progression in RA patients, biomarkers and assess cancer risk and early detection.

BRCA1 and possibly BRCA2 proteins may relate to the regulation of autophagy. Autophagy plays a key role in immune response from both a tumor and immune effector cell standpoint. In BRCA mutant cells increased autophagy leads to elevated expression of MHC-II but may cause subclonal neoantigen presentation which may impair the immune response related to clonal neoantigen visibility. We review evidence of BRCA1/2 regulation of autophagy, immune response and antigen presentation.