Immunotherapy

Code:

MI215180

Acronym:

IMNT

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences

Instance: 2022/2023 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Biochemistry Laboratory
Course/CS Responsible:	MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MICF	0	Official Curriculum	4	-	3	52	81

Teaching language

Portuguese
Obs.: Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

It is intended that the student:

• Acquire and consolidate knowledge in the advances in current therapeutics in immunotherapy.
• Acquire a vision of strategies in therapy with components and blood derivatives, as well as other innovative immunotherapies.
• Understand ethical aspects and legislation inherent to immunotherapy.

In the context of transversal competencies, this Curricular Unit aims to contribute to the development of the following:

• Cognitive Skills: analytical, critical, reflective and creative thinking;
• Methodological Skills: time management, planning and digital skills;
• Social skills: interpersonal communication and collaborative work.

Learning outcomes and competences

• Know the current immunotherapies available in the clinic.


• Research usingcredible sources of information in the area of immunotherapy.


• Evaluate scientific data in immunotherapy that allows, in pharmaceutical practice, to provide appropriate information.


• Relate and explain advanced concepts in immunotherapy.


• Prepare an evaluation of innovative immunotherapies compared to conventional approaches.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

The Immunotherapy curricular unit requires previous knowledge related to Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, Hematology, General Microbiology, Bacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology and Immunology previously taught in the MICF curricular plan. This knowledge will allow the student to deepen and perceive the applicability of theoretical and laboratory concepts previously acquired. It is intended that this course, being taught in parallel with Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapy I and Virology, allow students to consolidate and translate the knowledge acquired throughout the semester.

Program

Theoretical Component

1. Immunotherapy is an expanding area in modern therapy.
2. Therapeutics with human plasma derivatives.
3. Therapeutic vaccines.
4. Immunotherapy with Monoclonal Antibodies.
5. Immunotherapy with Cytokines.
6. Cellular Therapy.
7. Advances and innovative strategies in cancer immunotherapy.
8. Novel delivery systems in immunotherapy.
9. Future immunotherapy, challenges and perspectives.

Theoretical and practical component

- Literature search and identification of emerging topics in the field of immunotherapy: therapeutic antibodies; T-cell based therapies; dendritic vaccines; cytokines; new emerging infectious disease therapies; nanotechnology in immunotherapy, Combination immunotherapy approaches.

-Analysis and selection of information collected from emerging topics in immunotherapy.

-Roundtables for discussion of emerging topics in the area of immunotherapy and selection of topics to develop for preparation of a monograph/oral presentation to be shared among students.

-Preparation of a monograph and oral presentation on one of the selected emerging topics.

-Oral presentation by students on the selected emerging topics in immunotherapy.

Mandatory literature

Sawarkar, Sujata P., Nikam, Vandana S., Syed, Shariq; Immunotherapy – A Novel Facet of Modern Therapeutics., 2021. ISBN: 978-981-15-9038-2

Complementary Bibliography

Jamie D. K. Wilson; Nature Immunology. ISBN: 1529-2916 (scientific journal)
Steven A. Rosenberg; Journal of Immunotherapy . ISBN: 1524-9557 (Scientific journal)
Luigi Daniele Notarangelo ; Frontiers in Immunology , Luigi Daniele Notarangelo . ISBN: 1664-3224 (Scientific journal)
Heike Wulff ; Frontiers in Pharmacology , Heike Wulff . ISBN: 1663-9812. (Scientific journal)

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classes will be taught by the UC lecturers. Occasionally they may be taught by guest experts, whose area of expertise is considered by teachers to be an added value to these classes. All classes will, however, be monitored by the UC lecturers.

The theoretical classes will be magistral, taught using a system of slides presentation in data-show (Power-Point).

The theoretical-practical classes will take place according to a pre-established schedule and using computers with internet connection. At the beginning of the semester there will be a class to explain the activities to be performed. Students will be guided in the search for information, discussion and selection of a relevant topic in immunotherapy. Students may work with a maximum of 3 per group to search for information and prepare a monograph and an oral presentation. Students are accompanied by the teacher during the work, promoting the articulation between students, the analysis and interpretation of information and clarification of doubts. Monographs are submitted at the end of the semester for evaluation and will be made available to all students enrolled in the course at the end of the term.

The lecturers will be available at the students' office hours announced at the beginning of the semester and during the exam period by appointment at any other period.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Trabalho de campo	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	20,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Trabalho de campo	9,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Students who attend the theoretical-practical classes have access to the final exam.  The attendance of students in theoretical-practical classes is compulsory and those students, whose attendance is less than 3/4 of the classes, are considered without attendance. Students are not required to attend lecture classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

The evaluation is done according to the evaluation rules in force at FFUP. Distributed assessment with a final written exam.

Distributed assessment: The distributed assessment will take place during the practical classes and will focus on group work (2 to 3 students per group), concerning the preparation of a monograph (20% contribution) and an oral presentation (10% contribution) in an emerging area in Immunotherapy. The grade will be expressed on a scale of 0 to 20 points. This component of the distributed assessment is compulsory.

Final exam: The final exam will cover the subjects taught in the theoretical component (percentage contribution of 70%). No oral examinations are foreseen

Observations

Teaching Language: Portuguese and English (powerpoints presentations in English).

The syllabus, teaching methods, evaluation components (tests and assignments), obtaining frequency, classification (calculation and improvement formula), evaluation and occupation components are common to all students (National, Erasmus and International).

Depending on the possible scenarios for COVID-19, there may be changes in the program and evaluation methods of this discipline.

1. Scenario of limitation in the capacity of the rooms and laboratories for classroom classes

The schedule of classes and distributed evaluation can be adjusted according to the situation at the moment and made available on Moodle.

Changes to “Objectives”, “Learning Outcomes and Competencies” and “program”: No significant changes

Changes to “Teaching methods and learning activities”:
a) Theoretical classes will be presential within the limitation of the capacity of the amphitheatre (with synchronous videoconferencing), at times established using platforms such as Colibri-Zoom and for students who do not have access to the amphitheatre.
b) The theoretical-practical classes take place in the computer rooms, respecting 50% of the usual capacity, with the division of the class into odd and even shifts.
c) Changes in the "Type of Assessment", "Assessment Component", "Occupation Component"; "Achievement of Frequency"; "Formula for calculating the final grade" and "Grade Improvement": no significant changes, but some assessment processes may take place at a distance.

1. Scenario of all classes taking place at a distance
   
   The schedule of classes and distributed evaluation will be adjusted and made available in Moodle.
   
   a) Changes in “Objectives”, “Learning Outcomes and Competences” and “program”: no changes. b) Changes in the “Teaching methods and learning activities”:
   - Theoretical classes will be taught in synchronous videoconference, at the established times and using platforms such as Colibri-Zoom.
   - The theoretical-practical classes will be taught in synchronous sessions using platforms such as Colibri-Zoom. The students will be accompanied by the teacher, through Colibri-Zoom platform, during the execution of the activities, promoting the articulation between the students, the analysis and interpretation of the information and the clarification of doubts. Whenever possible, students can work in a maximum of 3 per group in simultaneous rooms through the Colibri-Zoom platform, accompanied by the teacher alternately.
   c) Changes in the “Type of Assessment”, “Assessment Component”, “Occupation Component”; Frequency Obtaining”; "Formula for calculating the final classification" and "Classification Improvement": without significant changes, but some evaluation processes may take place at a distance.