Module Details

Module Code: BIOL8030
Title: Cancer Immuno. & Immunotherapy
Long Title: Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2021/22 ( September 2021 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4211 - Biochemistry & Cell Biology
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: An overview of the key principles in cancer immunology that include; the immune response to cancer, cancer immune evasion and dysregulation of immune function by cancer. Cancer immunotherapy targets and classes in a disease-specific context, with preclinical and clinical considerations.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Describe types of tumour antigens recognised by the immune system.
LO2 Describe cells, molecules and signalling pathways of the innate and adaptive immune systems associated with anti- and pro-tumour responses.
LO3 Discuss tumour evasion of the immune system and define cancer immunotherapy targets and classes.
LO4 Evaluate systems immunology approaches to further understanding and application of cancer immunotherapy.
LO5 Critically assess disease-specific treatments and outcomes of cancer immunotherapy.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Cancer Immunotherapy from Discovery to Application
History of cancer immunotherapy; monoclonal antibodies; BCG and C. Parvum; cytokines and nonspecific immune activators; interferon; IL-2; vaccines; immune checkpoint inhibitors; adoptive cellular therapy and clinical applications.
Human Tumour Antigens and HLA Class I Antigen Processing Machinery
Neoantigens - antigens encoded by mutated genes; antigens of oncogenic viruses; overexpressed cellular proteins; antigen presentation; functional and defective HLA class I APM component expression in tumours.
Immune Recognition, Regulation and Response to Tumours
T Lymphocytes (eg. alpha beta T cells, gamma delta T cells, MAIT cells); innate lymphoid cells; natural killer cells; macrophages; dendritic cells; immune receptors and signal transduction; antigen receptor rearrangement; immune cell recognition of tumours; immunometabolism regulation of immune cell function; effect of the tumour microenvironment on immune cell function; anti- and pro-tumour immune responses; exploiting immune cell effector mechanisms for immunotherapy.
Cancer Immunotherapy Targets and Classes
Checkpoint inhibitor blockade; targeting innate immune pathways; cancer vaccines; cytokines; adoptive cell transfer; CAR T cells; agnostic antibodies for co-stimulatory receptors; conventional cancer therapies and immune effects; oncolytic viruses; combination immunotherapies.
Role of Diet, Obesity and Microbiota in Immunotherapy
The mucosal immune system; pattern- recognition receptors on immune cells; immunological tolerance to soluble antigens and the microbiome; effect of diet, obesity and microbiota on immune cell function; immunology of carcinogenic pathogens; commensal microbes and carcinogenesis; contribution of obesity and the microbiome to immunotherapeutic efficacy.
Assessment of Immune function in Cancer Patients
Prognostic significance of cytotoxic immune cells and immunosuppressive cellular mechanisms; immunogenomics and immunogenetics to assess immune responsiveness; somatic mutations and tumour antigen profiling; systems immunology approaches to cancer immunotherapy; flow cytometry; cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF); next generation sequencing; tumour microenvironment metabolism and its immunosuppressive effects; clinical measures of immunotherapy.
Disease-Specific Treatments and Outcomes of Cancer Immunotherapy
General approach to immunotherapy and adverse events; disease examples melanoma, gastrointestinal cancers, gynaecological malignancies, lung cancer; regulatory aspects of cancer immunotherapy from pre-clinical and clinical perspective.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Multiple Choice Questions % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
MCQ exam based on material covered in lectures
Assessment Type Open-book Examination % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 3,4
Assessment Description
Case Study
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Class based instruction Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review of lectures and private study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Class based instruction Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review of lectures and private study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • A.K. Abbas, A.H. Lichtman and S. Pillai. (2021), Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 10th. Elsevier, [ISBN: 9780323757485].
  • A.K. Abbas, A.H. Lichtman and S. Pillai. (2019), Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System, 6th. Elsevier, [ISBN: 9780323549431].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • K. Murphy and C. Weaver. (2016), Janeway's Immunobiology, 9th. Taylor & Francis Inc., [ISBN: 9780815345510].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
This module does not have any other resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SPHBI_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 7 Elective