Ovarian carcinoma cells effectively inhibit differentiation and maturation of dendritic cells derived from hematopoietic progenitor cells in vitro.

Loco-regional dissemination of ovarian carcinoma is associated with immunosuppression of the peritoneal cavity. One marked characteristic of the peritoneal immunity in this disease is the defective function of dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, the affect of ovarian carcinoma cells on DCs derived from hematopoetic progenitor cells was observed. The study demonstrated that the expansion, phenotype, and function of DCs generated from CD34+ precursors were significantly altered by the supernatant secreted by ovarian carcinoma cells, and this effect could be partly explained by tumoral overproduction of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). The results indicated that a role of ovarian carcinoma cells in the differentiation and function of DCs could be associated with the immunosuppression and development of ovarian carcinoma.