Minor Cancer-Immunity-Personalized therapies

Doel vak

1. Immune system functioning in health and disease
2. Interaction between host and pathogens
3. Diagnosing immune-mediated diseases and cancers in early phases
4. The role of imaging in diagnosis, targeted treatment, and monitoring of patients
5. Using the immune system to treat cancer
6. Current and future treatment modalities for liquid and solid cancers

Inhoud vak

As a treating physician, you will soon realize that immune-related diagnostics, monitoring and treatment options are becoming a mainstay in the treatment of cancer, as well as in inflammatory diseases. You, as a doctor, are the one that orders these tests or treatments for your patient. To provide you with a solid background, this minor addresses various immune-related processes that play a crucial role in disease development, progression and treatment. It is often the balance within the immune system that determines the outcome of disease, ranging from tissue destruction or the development of cancer to complete cure. To illustrate this point, we will touch upon immunological reactions that are out of balance, resulting in chronic inflammatory diseases. This minor will also give insight in the ongoing battle between the human host and its pathogens. These topics will be covered in weeks 1-8 of the minor. On the other hand, lack of immunity due to specific molecular deficiencies can result in cancer. The role of the immune system in the development of cancer and the latest achievements in the field of cancer treatment by immune therapy will be highlighted in the second part (week 9-16) of the minor.

To reach these aims, the minor addresses the latest diagnostic techniques in order to understand the underlying pathophysiology: these techniques include genome-wide DNA and RNA sequencing, metabolomics and microbiome analysis.

The minor is completed with the role of medical imaging and nanomedicine in the context of personalized therapy. Patients are different in their genetic DNA profile, immune system, microbiome and metabolism, so if possible, treatment should be optimized by accounting for these personal characteristics. You will learn advanced imaging techniques used in cancer treatment such as nuclear medicine and MRI, which are used to assess if your patient is responding to the given therapy. Knowing which imaging techniques are available and when they are best applied, will support you to request the right diagnostic and therapeutic tools when treating patients. This minor aims to incorporate one or more patient demos, which will illustrate applications and consequences of the discussed diseases and treatment options in real life.

All these aspects will be covered by preclinical and clinical scientific experts in their own field.

Aanvullende informatie onderwijsvormen

Lectures, practicals, working groups, patient demos

Toetsvorm

Writing assignment, research proposal writing, oral presentation, debate, two central exams. (min. 5 independent exams)

Aanvullende informatie doelgroep

Bachelor’s students of Faculty of Medicine and external (and international) students with a (bio)medical background.

Toelichting Canvas

This minor is supported by a corresponding CANVAS course, which contains all of the required information of this minor including an overview of the required articles and assignments. The CANVAS course will also be used to post announcements relevant to the minor. You will automatically have access to the CANVAS course.

Aanbevolen voorkennis