Cancer Immunology and Novel Therapies
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ONCG3001 | Cancer and Stem Cells | 3 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- ONCG3001
- School
- Cancer and Stem Cells
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module considers:
- The foundations of immunology and immune response focusing on the key cells, pathways, and molecules responsible for immune effects and immune suppression/escape. A key objective of this module will be to develop a comprehensive understanding of how these interact in a coordinate fashion in individual patients.
- Key features discussed will include the role of somatic mutational burden for tumour antigenicity (neo-antigens) building on knowledge acquired in year 2.
- Immunotherapy: The history of immune-based cancer therapy will place it in the context of other major cancer treatments covering key advancements from the early work of William Coley to the present day.
- The spectrum of specific immunotherapies will be presented ranging from non-specific local bacterial treatments (BCG for urological CIS), bolus cytokines (IL-2), antigen-specific vaccines (peptide, protein, defined vs undefined antigens), immune checkpoint blockade, cellular therapy, and stratified or personalised neo-antigen approaches.
- The concept of combinatorial therapies and immune modulation during other mainstream cancer treatments; surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Target Students
Students studying Cancer Sciences BSc U6UCANCS (B131) and Cancer Sciences MSci U7UCANCSY (B130) and other students with the required pre-requisites including students studying Natural Sciences.
Co-requisites
Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:
Classes
14 lectures (semester 1) Group data analysis coursework session and student presentations (6 hours) Open office session (1 hour) Revision workshop (1 hour)
Assessment
- 100% Exam 1 (3-hour): Written examination with essay questions and short answer questions (3 hours)
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
To explore the importance of the immune system and immunotherapy in cancer therapy building on knowledge acquired in year 2 of the course. To consider cancer vaccines, emerging cell-based cancer therapies, and novel non-cell based therapies arising from our rapidly changing understanding of the immune system. To explore the importance and structure of clinical trials and role of evidence-based medicine in healthcare delivery.Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to demonstrate a good understanding of:
How components of the immune system interact in health and disease.
The concept of immunotherapy and how it can be employed to stimulate anti-tumour immunity and limit immune-escape mechanisms.
How emerging cellular and non cell-based therapies arise from our understanding of the immune system
Students should gain insight in to how laboratory research technology works and can be used to investigate novel immunological questions.
Students should be able:
Communicate complex written information to a non-specialist audience
Communicate complex written information in the form of an essay
Demonstrate self-management and teamworking in the completion of coursework
Demonstrate problem solving skills and critical thinking as applied to relevant data
Show basic levels of information technology literacy
2. Professional / Practical Skills
Students should be able to design and perform a cell viability assay and analyse the resulting data.
3. Transferable / Key Skills
Students should be able:
• Communicate complex written information to a non-specialist audience
• Communicate complex written information in the form of an essay
• Demonstrate self-management and teamworking in the completion of coursework
• Demonstrate problem solving skills and critical thinking as applied to relevant data
• Show basic levels of information technology literacy