#  Introduction to Cancer Immunotherapy 

 





 Semester:   Spring 

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 Year offered:  2026 

 

 

 

**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

**Enrollment limit**

There is a 15-person limit for this course. However, if minimum enrollment is not met, the course will be postponed.

**Milestone Credit**

To receive credit, students must attend all sessions and complete all assignments. Priority will be given to graduate students taking the course for credit.

**Students can combine Nanocourses for credit.** More information about Milestone Credit can be found [here](https://curriculumfellows.hms.harvard.edu/nanocourses).

**Session dates, times & location**

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

**Session One:** January 27 | Introduction to Cancer Immunotherapy

**Session Two:** February 3 | Checkpoint Blockade and Cancer Neoantigens

**Session Three:** February 10 | Personalized Therapeutics

**Session Four:** February 17 | Cell Therapy and New Directions in Cancer Immunotherapy

**Course Director:**  
Mohammad Rashidian, PhD

**Email:** [**Mohammad\_Rashidian@dfci.harvard.edu**](mailto:Mohammad_Rashidian@dfci.harvard.edu)

**Curriculum Advisor:**  
Jelena Patrnogić, PhD  
**Email:** [**jelena\_patrnogic@hms.harvard.edu**](mailto:jelena_patrnogic@hms.harvard.edu)

[**REGISTER HERE**](https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3y2zxoHPU14pbaC) by **January 9, 2026**

[https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV\_3y2zxoHPU14pbaC](https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3y2zxoHPU14pbaC)



 

 



 

 See also:- [ Past ](/class-categories/past)