Targeting locoregional peritoneal dissemination in ovarian cancer

Ovarian carcinoma is the most lethal of the gynecological malignancies. This cancer is characterized by a high frequency of peritoneal dissemination resulting in significant morbidity and mortality, a situation unlike many other cancers. Together with resistance to chemotherapy, this locoregional peritoneal dissemination appears to be the major challenge and obstacle to improving outcomes in ovarian cancer. Relatively little scientific effort has been invested in making significant progress in the latter; therefore, developing a sound understanding of the molecular events underlying that process would be helpful. The focus of this review is to discuss the research that has been undertaken preclinically and clinically to conceptually develop the principles of, understand and target locoregional peritoneal dissemination in ovarian cancer.