Ovarian Cancer – Prof. Denarda Dangaj (UNIL)
Improving the Use of the Ovarian Cancer Immune Landscape for Precision Therapies
Prof. Denarda Dangaj was granted this “allocated fund” in May 2026 for 3 years.
Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death among women. It poses a particular challenge, as relapses after standard treatments are a frequent occurrence and thedisease still responds poorly to immunotherapy. The present project aims to improve our understanding of why certain tumors recur after chemotherapy and how they manage to evade the immune system. The objective is to pave the way for more specific and personalized therapeutic strategies.
To answer these questions, the scientists are analyzing tumor samples from 69 patients, andcomparing initial tumors with those that appeared after treatment. Using advanced technics, including digital pathology and single-cell sequencing, they are performing a detailed study of the organization and role of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment. A particular focus is placed on T lymphocytes and myeloid cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells. Preclinical mouse models complement this approach by allowing the researchers to monitordisease progression under conditions similar to those observed in humans.
The project has enabled the identification of four distinct immune response profiles within ovarian tumors. It appears that some inhibit tumor progression, while others promote it. The research team aims to clarify the role of these different immune profiles and to identify reliable biomarkers. These can be used to predict disease progression and treatment response, to identify patients who can benefit from immunotherapy, and to define novel therapeutic targets to reduce the risk of relapse. Ultimately, this work could contribute to the development of treatments that are better adapted to patients’ individual immune profiles.