Cancer immunology and microenvironment (IMM)

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
42
Overall hours
SSD
MED/04 MED/06 MED/15
Language
English
Learning objectives
Acquisition of immunosurveillance and immunoevasion concepts, knowledge of the biological basis of the tumor escape mechanisms, understanding of the biological rational understanding of the most used approaches for the modulation of the immune response with anti-cancer purposes
Expected learning outcomes
Specific knowledge on the relationship between the host's immune system and the tumor and the main anti-tumor approaches based on immunomodulatory strategies
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The immune system in the tumor microenvironment: Inflammation in tumor progression; Functional role of tumor-associated leukocytes and other host cells; Immune infiltrate and tumor angiogenesis; Effects of the tumor on local and systemic immune regulation; Tumor-associated regulatory T cells; Tumor-associated suppressor cells of the myeloid lineage (MDSC, TAM, TAN); Tertiary lymphoid structures in the tumor; Therapeutic approaches targeting the tumor microenvironment.
Medical oncology:
Cancer immunology and immunotherapy in solid tumors: History and principles of immune cancer treatment; Predictors of response to immune therapies; Development of anticancer immune agents;
Evidence of efficacy of immune therapies; Immunotherapies in different models of solid cancers; T-cell therapies; Cancer vaccines; Future trends in cancer immune therapy; Toxicity of cancer immune therapies; Sustainability of anticancer agents.
Blood diseases:
Cancer immunology and immunotherapy in hematological tumors: The role of checkpoint inhibitors in Lymphomas; Adoptive immunotherapy for cancer (CAR T cells); Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as adoptive immunotherapy in cancer; The targeting of cancer microenvironment (T-reg, MDSC, NK, Dendritic, macrophages): the paradigma of multiple myeloma; The role of the B-cell receptor signaling in lymphoid malignancies.
Prerequisites for admission
There is no specific preliminary knowledge
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons based on teaching material available on the Ariel platform or provided directly in the classroom to students.
Teaching Resources
PDF files of the lessons. Review article on different topics.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Exam based on a written test consisting of 30 closed-ended questions relating to different modules of the program. The test takes place in 1 hour. The basic knowledge of the discipline is assessed. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths, the results are communicated through the University registration system.
Blood diseases
MED/15 - BLOOD DISEASES - University credits: 2
Lessons: 14 hours
Professor: Corradini Paolo
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: Corradini Paolo
General pathology and immunology
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 14 hours
Shifts:
Medical oncology
MED/06 - MEDICAL ONCOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 14 hours
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment +39 02 6444.2291
Ospedale Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3,Milano