Clinical Immuno-Oncology

• Tentative TOC:

  Introduction:

  Chapter 1.0 Development and Structure of the Lymphoid System

• embryologic development

gross anatomy of the human immune system

lymphatic endothelial cells, heterogeneity of, and lymph node microscopic structure

lymph node function; afferent lymph cellular components

role of the gut microbiome in immune system development

specific functions related to the spread of cancer

cancer-induced lymphangiogeneis; sentinel LNs

Chapter 2.0 The Chemistry, Structure, and Function of Immunoglobulins

immunoglobulin isotypes

the structure of immunoglobulins

the genetics of immunoglobulin diversity

antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity

heavy-chain C domain and role of glycosylation

the development of humanized monoclonals

Chapter 3.0 The Role of the Complement System in Cancer

complement system activation pathways (classical, alternative and lectin)

the role of complement activation in cancer progression

complement regulatory proteins (CRPs) and cancer

the role of compliment activation in the tumor microenvironment enhances tumor growth

complement-dependent cytotoxicity in immune therapy of cancer

formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC)

potential application of anti-complement cancer therapies (C3aR/C5aR/IL-10 pathway)

Chapter 4.0 Cancer as Non-Self

4.1 primary generator of tumor-specific transplantation type antigens

4.2 character of non-self, tumor associated antigens

4.3 immune surveillance - innate immunity

4.4 distinguishing between self and non-self

4.5 toll-like receptors (TLRs); soluble bioactive proteins such as cytokines and C proteins

4.6 NK cells

Chapter 5.0 The Adaptive Immune Response in Cancer

the diversity of active tumor antigen receptors

target specificity without limits in cancer-receptor variability

tumor antigen presentation; dendritic cells

immune response stimulation against the cancer

Cytotoxic T-cells and T-regulatory cells

B-cells and antibodies

Chapter 6.0 The Science of Innate Immunity

6.1 critical regulator of human inflammatory disease

6.2 anatomic and physiologic barriers to pathogens - cancer causing viruses

6.3 centrally a limited number of critical receptors

6.4 the character of the inflammatory response

6.5 lack of ability to form memory

6.5 role in activating subsequent adaptive immune response

Chapter 7.0 Immune Surveillance

7.1 history of concept (Ilya Mechnikov 1908 Nobel Prize)

7.2 evidence for immune surveillance today

7.3 cancer in the immunocompromised host

Chapter 8.0 Cancer - Avoiding Immune Detection

8.1 cancer and the presence of immune resistance

8.2 concept for the development of tumor cell tolerance

Chapter 9.0 Active Immunization Against Cancer and Cell-based Therapies

9.1 infusing in-vitro expanded Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs)

9.2 infusing dendritic cells pre-loaded with tumor specific oligopeptide antigens

9.3 B7 co-activating receptor

9.4 vaccines

Chapter 10.0 The Three Major Clinical Components of Cancer Immunotherapy

(modulating cell-mediated immune mechanisms)

10.1 the role of and application of check point blockade

10.2 the role and application of cell-based therapies including CAR-T cell therapies

10.3 antibodies (and vaccines); monoclonal antibodies and novel application of bi- or tri-specifics

Chapter 11.0 The Clinical Application of Immunotherapeutics

11.1 in melanoma cancer

11.2 in breast cancer

11.3 in pancreatic cancer

11.4 in colon and rectum cancer

11.5 in prostate cancer

11.6 in leukemias and hematologic malignancies

11.7 in other malignancies

Chapter 12.0 Cancer Immunotherapy in the Presence of COVID-19

12.1 immune response to coronavirus-2 infection

12.2 CD8⁺ T cell depression during chronic viral infection and cancer

12.3 checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients with coronavirus infection

12.4 coronavirus depletion of CD4⁺ T cells