Immunology

1. Immunology in Cancer
   1. Tumor Immunology
      1. Definition and Overview
      2. Tumor Microenvironment
         1. Role of Stromal Cells
         2. Extracellular Matrix Components
         3. Blood Vessels and Angiogenesis
      3. Tumor-Associated Antigens (TAAs)
         1. Categories of TAAs
            1. Differentiation Antigens
            2. Mutated Gene Products
            3. Overexpressed Antigens
         2. Methods of Identification and Characterization
      4. Role of Inflammation in Tumor Development
         1. Inflammatory Cytokines
         2. Chronic Inflammation and Cancer
   2. Immune Surveillance
      1. Concept and Mechanisms
         1. Detection of Cancer Cells by the Immune System
         2. Role of Natural Killer Cells and Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
      2. Evasion of Immune Surveillance
         1. Mechanisms of Immune Evasion
            1. Alteration of Antigen Processing and Presentation
            2. Downregulation of MHC Molecules
            3. Secretion of Immunosuppressive Factors
         2. Tumor-Induced Dysfunction of Immune Cells
   3. Tumor Evasion Mechanisms
      1. Regulatory T Cells and Immune Suppression
         1. Recruitment and Role in Tumor Growth
         2. Mechanisms of Induced Immunosuppression
      2. Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs)
         1. Differentiation and Activation
         2. Effects on T Cell Function and Antitumor Immunity
      3. Immune Checkpoint Molecules
         1. PD-1/PD-L1 Axis
         2. CTLA-4 and B7-1/B7-2 Interaction
   4. Cancer Immunotherapy
      1. Overview and Historical Background
      2. Types of Immunotherapy
         1. Monoclonal Antibodies
            1. Targeting Tumor Antigens
            2. Antibody-Drug Conjugates
            3. Bi-specific Antibodies
         2. Checkpoint Inhibitors
            1. Mechanism of Action
            2. Clinical Applications and Limitations
            3. Managing Immune-Related Adverse Events
         3. CAR T-cell Therapy
            1. Principles and Development
            2. Target Selection and Engineering
            3. Current Clinical Uses and Outcomes
         4. Cancer Vaccines
            1. Types of Cancer Vaccines
               1. Therapeutic vs. Prophylactic
            2. Proven and Investigational Vaccines
      3. Combination Therapies
         1. Combining Immunotherapy with Traditional Treatments
         2. Synergistic Effects of Combining Different Immunotherapies
      4. Host Factors Influencing Immunotherapy Response
         1. Patient’s Immune Status
         2. Genetic and Epigenetic Factors
         3. Microbiome Influence on Immunotherapy Efficacy
   5. Challenges and Future Directions
      1. Overcoming Tumor Heterogeneity
         1. Biological Variability Among Tumor Cells
         2. Strategies to Target Heterogeneous Tumors
      2. Biomarkers for Predicting Immunotherapy Response
         1. Development and Validation of Biomarkers
         2. Role of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
      3. Innovations in Genetic and Cellular Engineering
         1. CRISPR and its Application in Immunotherapy
         2. Novel Approaches in T Cell Engineering
      4. Ethical and Clinical Considerations in Immunotherapy Deployment
         1. Access and Affordability of Treatment
         2. Balancing Risks and Benefits in Clinical Trials