Major new developments in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in immune recognition of self, and immune mediated rejection of foreign antigens, have resulted in the development of a variety of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer. Cornerstones of the advances in this area have been the identification of tumour antigens and demonstration of immune recognition of neoplastic cells, most notably in malignant melanoma. There are now a number of clinical immune gene therapy trials in progress for the treatment of cancer by stimulating immune mediated rejection of malignant cells. Here we examine the evidence for immune recognition of ovarian tumour cells and the presence of putative ovarian tumour antigens as potential targets for immune gene therapy of ovarian carcinoma.