Description
This lecture will review the basics of tumor immunology and immunotherapy, including tumor antigens, innate and adaptive immunity, regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and monocyte/macrophage polarization, as well as their relevance to canine cancer immunity.
We will then discuss various cancer immunotherapy strategies that have been evaluated in dogs and cats with cancer, as well as “horizon” cancer immunotherapies that may be available soon in animals. These will include tumor vaccines, intralesional gene/immunotherapy approaches, tumor-directed monoclonal antibodies, and the new so-called “immune checkpoint inhibitors”.
RACE # 20-1169522
Learning Objectives
- Develop an understanding of “cutting-edge” therapies that may be available soon in veterinary oncology, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and activated/engineered T cell therapies.
- Understand the status of currently available monoclonal antibodies for veterinary cancer.
- Be familiar with previously published cancer immunotherapy studies in the veterinary literature, including nonspecific immunotherapy approaches and cancer vaccines.
- Examine the interaction between the immune system and cancer cells and the effect of the tumor microenvironment on the immune system.
- Recognize basic principles of immunology, both innate and adaptive, and understand the functions of the different types of cells.
