HMX Pro Immunology
Immuno-oncology
Advance your career with a Harvard Medical School certificate – online.
Advances in our knowledge of the immune system are changing the ways in which we treat various types of cancer.
Understanding how immune cells recognize and kill cancer cells, and what we can do to enhance their ability to fight cancer, is important for anyone working to develop new cancer treatments or apply them in the clinic.
This unique online course is designed to help professionals learn about cutting-edge cancer immunotherapies from leading Harvard Medical School faculty.
Get more information on this exciting learning opportunity:
Course Information
Upcoming course periods
January 14 – March 28, 2025 | Apply for Fundamentals and Pro courses now through January 6
April 15 – June 27, 2025 | Application opens December 11
June 3 – August 15, 2025 | Application opens March 26
Course length
The course period is 10 weeks long. New lessons are released weekly, and material remains available until the course closes. Expect to spend a total of 15-20 hours for this course.
Course cost
US$995 for an individual course
Think others at your company would be interested? We offer group discounts and direct enrollment options – contact us to learn more.
Course Topics
Overview of Immuno-oncology
- What is Cancer?
- The Promise of Immuno-oncology
Basic Tumor Immunology
- The Biology of Cancer
- Immune Recognition
- Induction of the Immune Response: CD8+ T Cells
- Induction of the Immune Response: CD4+ T Cells
- Immune Response of NK Cells
- Immune Evasion: T Cells
- Immune Evasion: Other Cells
- Clinical Linkage: Tumor Immunology
Checkpoint Blockade
- Mechanisms of Checkpoint Blockade
- Response of Different Tumor Types
- Complications of Checkpoint Blockade
- Clinical Linkage: Checkpoint Blockade Therapy in Melanoma
CAR T and Other Novel Therapies
- Basics of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cells
- Complications of CAR T Cell Therapy
- Bispecific T Cell Engagers (BiTEs)
- Tumor Vaccines
- Oncolytic Viruses
- Advances in Checkpoint Blockade Therapy
- Novel CAR Cells
- Combination Treatments
- Other Therapies
- Clinical Linkage: CAR T Cell Therapy
Wrap-up
- The Future of Immuno-oncology
More Information
Frequently asked questions
Who should take this course?
This course is appropriate for professionals in a variety of industries whose work intersects with cancer research and treatment – including those focused on drug development, product management, and more.
What do participants need to know to succeed in this course?
We recommend knowledge of basic chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as knowledge of the fundamentals of immunology. This is an advanced course; for those who require more background in key immunology concepts, we offer HMX Fundamentals Immunology.
What is the time commitment?
Most people can expect to spend around 15–20 hours total, but this depends on your baseline knowledge, how carefully you take notes, and how seriously you take the assessments. Lessons from the courses are released weekly and remain available until the courses end, so you can work at your own pace. There is a final exam at the end of each course that can be taken any time during the final exam period.
Can participants earn certificates from Harvard Medical School?
There are two certification levels, based on participant scores:
- Certificate of Achievement
- Certificate of Completion
HMX Learner Testimonials
Siyan Xu
Novartis
“I’ve found all the courses to be tremendously helpful.”
Nada Martini
Bristol Myers Squibb
“You really have the sense of somebody walking you through the subject.”
Eugenia Prohin
Clinical operations manager
“Everybody involved in clinical research would benefit from these courses.”