Identifying the Source of Immunosuppressive Capabilities in Exosomes of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Presenter: Laurel Kastner, Undergraduate biotechnology student at the University at Buffalo

Abstract: Epithelial ovarian cancer is the 7th most common cancer for women and has a five-year survival rate below 45%. An important factor that contributes to disease progression is suppression of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. This study focused on droplets called exosomes which are thought to cause immune suppression. Exosomes were collected and characterized to identify what may be contributing to their suppressive phenotype. A negative correlation was seen between T cell derived exosomes and inhibition, indicating that hypersecretory T cells in the microenvironment could help in maintaining immune activity. Methodology used also showed promise in future exosome studies.