BIOL 6282 - Tumor Immunology

4 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: Biol 3880 and Biol 3900 with grades of C or higher, or equivalent course work.
Description
This course discusses the molecular basis of tumorigenesis and the interactions between the immune system and tumors/cancer cells. Research in tumor immunology is based on the premise that tumor cells express antigenic determinants that are not found on normal cells and furthermore, that these antigens can elicit an anti-tumor immune response. Topics covered include: basic tumorigenesis of common solid tumors, basic immunology, tumor antigen expression, types of immune responses to tumors, mechanisms by which tumors escape/suppress the immune response and novel approaches for immunotherapy of advanced cancers. This course will involve critical thinking and communication about the complex biological systems of cancer and the immune system. Four lecture hours a week.