Immunology: Immune Failures and Cancer Immunology

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Immunology: Immune Failures and Cancer Immunology

This course is part of Immunology: The Immune System and its Failures Specialization

Instructors: Malgorzata (Maggie) Trela

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

In this course, you will learn the causes and consequences of a failing immune system.
You will explore the impact of genetic deficiencies on the immune response.
You will understand the relationship between tumour and immune cells and how this leads to tumour survival.

Skills you'll gain

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Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Immunology: The Immune System and its Failures Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

Our immune system is a powerful network. It protects us from external threats, such as harmful substances and pathogenic agents, as well as cellular changes which could lead to diseases. Complications emerge when our natural defences do not function properly, which can result in immune disorders. These can take the form of less severe issues such as insect allergy. Others are more harmful, such as auto aggressive immune reactions, that lead to localised or systemic tissue damage.

In this course, you will learn about immune system failures which can cause insufficient responses to internal or external threats. We will look at immune deficiencies. These weaken an individual’s immunity and leave them unable to effectively fight infections or manage disease. We will examine the consequences of chronic inflammation on the immune system, in the context of ectopic lymphoid organs. We will also examine immune system malfunctions in tumour development, and the role of viral infections in human cancer.

In module one, you will explore the genetic regulation of our immune system. Through the example of primary immuno deficiencies and looking at their detrimental effect on our innate and/or adaptive responses, you will discuss their individual pathological manifestation and some potential therapeutic avenues of investigation.

What's included

4 videos6 readings2 assignments

4 videosTotal 27 minutes

Introduction2 minutes
Immune response regulation and disorders1 minute
Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies1 minute
Human immune deficiencies23 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Course introduction10 minutes
Immunodeficiencies introduction10 minutes
Primary immunodeficiencies10 minutes
‘The boy in the bubble’10 minutes
Secondary immunodeficiencies10 minutes
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Immunodeficiencies30 minutes
Week 1 Practice Quiz10 minutes

In module two, our expert will take you on a journey to explore tertiary lymphoid structures. These are immunological organisations that develop in tissues affected by chronic inflammation in response to various alienations. Interestingly, you will explore why these structures can sometime hinder or benefit disease resolution.

What's included

1 video3 readings2 assignments

In module three, you will discover that the outcome of cancer heavily relies on the crosstalk and relationship between the tumour and immune cells found in its micro-environment. You will explore this relationship from the point of view of tumour escape mechanisms and how these manipulate our immune response. Finally, you will learn about therapies that use our immune system to combat this deadly disease.

What's included

3 videos2 readings2 assignments

3 videosTotal 20 minutes

Tumour cells, cancer and immune mechanisms1 minute
Introduction to tumour immunology – Part 1 9 minutes
Introduction to tumour immunology – Part 210 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Introduction10 minutes
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and cancer10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Tumour immunology30 minutes
Week 3 Practice Quiz 10 minutes

With approximately ten percent of the global cancer burden potentially attributed to viruses, our last module of the course, module four, will explore the relationship between viral persistence on cancers. Importantly, as viral infection is not sufficient for cancer to develop, you will investigate the physiological contribution of our immune system in this complex landscape.

What's included

2 videos2 readings2 assignments

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Instructors

Malgorzata (Maggie) Trela

Imperial College London

5 Courses23,042 learners

Offered by

Imperial College London

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