Program Structure

Module 1: Immune System Essentials for Immunotherapy

• Innate vs adaptive immunity: the roles that matter most for therapy.
• T-cells, B-cells, NK cells, antigen presentation: quick functional overview.
• Immune checkpoints and immune tolerance: why the body “puts brakes” on immunity.
• How tumors evade immunity: immune suppression, antigen loss, and microenvironment effects.

Module 2: Cancer Immunology and the Tumor Microenvironment

• Hot vs cold tumors: why immune infiltration predicts response.
• Immune suppressive cells: Tregs, MDSCs, TAMs (conceptual roles).
• Inflammation and cytokines: when they help and when they harm.
• Immune escape mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities.

Module 3: Checkpoint Inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4)

• Mechanism of action: releasing immune brakes.
• Who benefits: tumor types, immune signatures, and response predictors (conceptual).
• Combination strategies: why dual therapy is sometimes used (risk/benefit view).
• Monitoring response: pseudo-progression concept and response assessment logic.

Module 4: Monoclonal Antibodies and Targeted Immune Therapies

• Antibody functions: blocking, tagging, ADCC, and targeted delivery.
• Bispecific antibodies (overview): bringing immune cells to tumor cells.
• Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) concept: targeted payload delivery.
• Where antibodies fit vs chemo vs small molecules (decision thinking).

Module 5: Cellular Immunotherapies (CAR-T and Beyond)

• CAR-T concept: engineering T-cells to recognize tumor antigens.
• Workflow overview: collection, engineering, expansion, infusion, monitoring.
• Key challenges: toxicity, antigen escape, durability, manufacturing constraints.
• Next-gen ideas overview: CAR-NK, TIL therapy, off-the-shelf cell therapies.

Module 6: Cancer Vaccines, Cytokines, and Oncolytic Approaches (Overview)

• Therapeutic cancer vaccines: neoantigen concept and immune priming.
• Cytokine therapy basics: why it can boost immunity but also cause toxicity.
• Oncolytic viruses overview: killing tumors and stimulating immune response.
• Combination strategies: turning cold tumors into hot tumors (concept).

Module 7: Biomarkers, Diagnostics & Patient Stratification

• Key biomarker concepts: PD-L1 expression, TMB, MSI, immune gene signatures (overview).
• Liquid biopsy concepts: ctDNA and treatment monitoring possibilities.
• Companion diagnostics: how testing guides therapy choices.
• Interpreting biomarkers responsibly: limitations and context.

Module 8: Safety, Adverse Events & Monitoring Logic

• Immune-related adverse events (irAEs): why they happen.
• Common irAEs overview: skin, GI, endocrine, lung, liver (high-level).
• Monitoring and escalation thinking: early detection and intervention logic.
• Balancing benefit and risk: patient counseling and follow-up discipline (conceptual).

Module 9: Immunotherapy Research, Trials & Evidence Reading

• Clinical trial basics: endpoints, response rates, PFS/OS, and real-world evidence.
• Interpreting immunotherapy trial outcomes: durable response vs early failure.
• Resistance mechanisms: primary vs acquired resistance (conceptual).
• How to design a simple immunotherapy study question and evaluate evidence quality.

Final Project

• Create a Case-Based Immunotherapy Strategy Summary for a selected cancer scenario (case provided).
• Include: tumor/immune context, therapy option rationale, biomarker plan, monitoring approach, and risk notes.
• Example projects: checkpoint inhibitor selection plan, combination therapy rationale, CAR-T suitability discussion, biomarker-driven treatment pathway concept.