This course introduces the biology of cancer, the faulty genes that drive its behaviour, and the science behind systemic treatments including immunotherapies and precision medicine.
It also describes the rationale behind a diverse range of targeted drug treatments and immunotherapies available today.
Dr Elaine Vickers – a leading independent educator on the science of new cancer treatments – translates complex and often overwhelming topics into easily digestible and understandable knowledge.
From demystifying jargon to explaining the resistance mechanisms to many new treatments – including the way cancer cells diversify and evolve and the complex environment in which they live – this introductory course is ideal for healthcare professionals who are new to the provision of cancer care or wish to refresh their knowledge.
Course delivery
The course comprises a series of five, one-hour long sessions delivered online via Microsoft Teams:
| Session | Topic |
| Session 1 | Cancer biology and genetics |
| Session 2 | Targeted cancer treatments |
| Session 3 | Introduction to immunotherapy |
| Session 4 | Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors |
| Session 5 | Targeted treatments and immunotherapies for haematological cancers |
Learning outcomes
By the end of this introductory programme delegates will:
- Understand cancer as a disease caused by DNA damage that accumulates in individual cells combined with an ageing immune system.
- Be introduced to targeted therapies – which patients receive them, why they cause side effects and why they don’t always work, as well as how they are designed and what they target.
- Explore the relationship between cancer and the immune system and understand a range of immunotherapy approaches, including the importance of T cells as a common immunotherapy target.
- Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of immune checkpoint inhibitors as an important group of immunotherapies now given to thousands of patients with many cancer types.
- Learn about treatments for haematological cancers, such as antibody-based treatments and small molecule kinase inhibitors, including the progress made with CAR T cells.
Course lead
Dr Elaine Vickers, PhD of Science Communicated Ltd has worked as a cancer educator for over twenty years and has previously acted as science communicator for three of the UK’s leading medical research charities, including four years in the Science Information team at Cancer Research UK.
She is passionate about demystifying the science behind cancer biology and the latest cancer treatments such as kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies and immunotherapies. Elaine is experienced in teaching people with any level of scientific or medical knowledge from cancer patients through to medical oncologists.
Her book, A Beginner’s Guide to Targeted Cancer Treatments, was commended by the British Medical Association book awards. A second edition is due out in 2024.
Audience
This course is ideal for nurses, clinical trials staff or other healthcare professionals who are new to cancer care or would like to refresh their knowledge.