Introduction to Cancer Immunotherapy

Semester: Spring
|
Year offered: 2025

REGISTER HERE by January 24


COURSE DESCRIPTION
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, leading to complete and durable responses in several malignancies, including advanced melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and various blood cancers. However, patient responses remain heterogeneous. This course will cover the basics of immunotherapy, including checkpoint blockade and cell therapies, and discuss the challenges and potential opportunities for developing improved therapies. Throughout the course, participants will engage in in-depth discussions on specific topics, work on conceptual development of novel therapeutics, leading to a submission of a one-page essay on the promise and challenges of the immunotherapy field. 

COURSE GOAL
The goal of this course is to familiarize students with the principles of immunotherapy, its impact on cancer treatment, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the field.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • Describe and compare the major types of cancer immunotherapy and their mechanisms of action  
  • Discuss clinical challenges and potential approaches for advancing the field
  • Conceptualize a design of novel therapeutics
  • Compose a one-page essay on the promise and challenges of the immunotherapy field

SESSION INFORMATION

Tuesdays, 5-7pm in TMEC 330, dinner will be provided

  • Session One: February 4 | Introduction to Cancer Immunotherapy

  • Session Two: February 11 | Checkpoint Blockade and Cancer Neoantigens
  • Session Three: February 18 | Personalized Therapeutics

  • Session Four: February 25 | Cell Therapy and New Directions in Cancer Immunotherapy


ENROLLMENT LIMIT
There is no enrollment limit for this course. However, if we don’t reach a minimum capacity, the course will be postponed. 

MILESTONE CREDIT
Priority will be given to graduate students taking the course for credit. To receive credit, students must attend all sessions and complete all assignments. More information about Milestone Credit can be found here.
 

CURRICLUM TEAM
Course Director: Mohammad Rashidian, PhD, Mohammad_Rashidian@dfci.harvard.edu
Curriculum Advisor: Jelena Patrnogić, PhD, Jelena_Patrnogic@hms.harvard.edu 

 

REGISTER HERE by January 24

See also: