Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer
A detailed understanding of molecular mechanism of cancer genesis is fundamental to develop innovative and personalized therapies. The new frontier in biomedical research is represented by organoids, a three-dimensional cell culture system obtained from a tissue fragment that accurately reproduces the essential properties of the original tissue in vitro, which could provide a valuable model for explanation of ovarian cancers pathogenesis and will allow to predict the response to a specific therapy. With this research project, we expect to generate ovarian cancer organoids to characterize in vitro interactions and molecular pathway among tumor cells, immune cells, and resident microbiota (intratumoral bacteria and/or microbial-derived molecules).
- EligibilityCriteria: Inclusion Criteria:  Age > 18 years Age < 80 years Serous ovarian carcinoma FIGO Stage III-IV  Exclusion Criteria:  Ongoing or suspended immunosuppressive therapy within the last 6 months Congenital or acquired immunodeficiency Immunosuppressive state Administration of chemotherapy for another neoplasm in the past 12 months Non-epithelial ovarian tumors Patients not undergoing surgical intervention BMI > 30 Absence of Informed Consent - HealthyVolunteers: No - Gender: Female - GenderBased: Yes - MinimumAge: 18 Years - MaximumAge: 80 Years - StdAgeList: Adult, Older Adult - StudyPopulation: Patients with primary diagnosis (t=0) of epithelial ovarian cancer (stage III and IV according to FIGO) - SamplingMethod: Non-Probability Sample