|
Living Medical Textbook From Projects In Knowledge |
|
| Table of Contents |
|
Chapter 5 - Autoimmune Effects of CTLA-4 Antibodies: Management and Correlation with Benefit |
|
CTLA-4 antibodies have expected autoimmune side effects that appear to correlate with benefit of treatment. Chapter 5 of The Living Medical Textbook: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Edition describes the spectrum of these effects and how to manage them. A case study is provided to illustrate use of CTLA-4 blockade and overall care required. Finally, Chapter 5 discusses other emerging approaches to immune stimulation and abrogation of immune inhibition in the treatment of melanoma. This chapter again features multimedia hyperlinks that provide access to conference presentations, illustrations, journal articles, and a variety of other resources.  top |
| |
|
Chapter 4 - Targeting Immune Stimulation: Clinical Application of Immunology |
|
Building on the previous discussions of T-cells and costimulatory molecules, Chapter 4 in The Living Medical Textbook: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Edition explains how and why blockade of immune modulating molecules like CTLA-4 stimulates the immune response to tumor cells. This chapter provides up-to-date information on two anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies, ipilimumab and tremelimumab, in melanoma as a model of immunotherapy in cancer. Preclinical data elucidate mechanisms and potential for useful combination regimens. Phase I and II data identify unique patterns of response and safety issues. Important lessons are only beginning to emerge from phase III data in melanoma. All of these data, as well as preliminary investigations in other tumor types, are discussed here. As before, to further enhance learning on this subject, the chapter contains hyperlinks that provide access to conference presentations, illustrations, journal articles, and other resources, and features a 3-part animation demonstrating activation and inhibition of T-cells and CTLA-4 blockade. top |
| |
|
Chapter 3 - Costimulation and the T-Cell Response |
|
Like the two keys needed to open a safe deposit box, at least two signals are needed to activate a T-cell. Chapter 3 of Living Medical Textbook, Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: Metastatic Melanoma Edition focuses on the second signal, which can be either activating or inhibitory. F. Stephen Hodi, MD, describes specific cell surface proteins and receptors that play a role in this non-antigen-specific signaling mechanism, which explains the rationale for targeting costimulation molecules in patients with cancer. top |
| |
|
Chapter 2 - Tumor-Fighting T-Cells |
|
Building on the general understanding of the immune system reviewed in chapter 1, Tumor-Fighting T-Cells provides a closer look at the mechanisms by which T-cells recognize antigen. This chapter also looks at how antigen recognition results in signaling that leads to activation and effector as well as suppressor functions. These concepts are integral to understanding the mechanisms by which T-cells may play a role in fighting cancer, as well as the means by which tumor cells are often able to evade this immune response. This chapter will enhance understanding of opportunities for intervention to facilitate the immune defense against cancer. Once again, throughout this chapter you will find supportive multimedia hyperlinks that provide access to illustrations, videos, journal articles, glossary terms, online textbooks, and other resources to enhance understanding of relevant issues. Special Feature: Audio podcast featuring an interview between Dr. Jeffrey S. Weber, Editor-in-Chief, and Dr. Bernard A. Fox, Contributing Editor. Topics discussed include the ability of helper T-cells, cytolytic T-cells, and natural killer T-cells to mediate tumor regression, the ability of regulatory T-cells to dampen the immune response to tumor cells, and the investigational immunotherapies that improve T-cell targeting of tumors. top |
| |
|
Chapter 1 - Immunology in Review |
|
This web-based "living" textbook is an interactive and up-to-date resource to support learning in the field of tumor immunology. Chapter 1, Immunology in Review, provides a broad review of all of the cells in the innate and adaptive immune systems and then briefly introduces concepts relating to the immune system's role in detecting and eliminating tumor cells. This chapter sets the stage for a more focused discussion in chapters to come on the immune system's role in fighting cancer and opportunities for development and applications of immunotherapy. Throughout this and future chapters you will find supportive multimedia hyperlinks that provide access to illustrations, videos, journal articles, glossary terms, online textbooks, and other resources to enhance understanding of relevant issues. top |
| |
|
| CME INFORMATION |
ACTIVITY GOAL |
| The goal of this CME activity is to examine the role of the immune system in fighting cancer and potential strategies for re-educating the immune system to break tolerance of "self" antigens that mask tumors from cellular immunity. |
TARGET AUDIENCE |
| This activity is designed for medical oncologists, dermatologists, and other clinicians who interact with and/or treat patients with melanoma or other solid tumors. |
LEARNING OBJECTIVES |
|
| top1843 |
|
|
|
|
|
These independent CME activities are supported by
educational grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb Pfizer Inc. |
|
| EDITORIAL BOARD | |
| EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jeffrey S. Weber, MD, PhD |
|
|
Senior Member, Moffitt Cancer Center Director, Comprehensive Melanoma Research Center Professor, Department of Oncologic Sciences H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute Tampa, Florida |
| CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Bernard A. Fox, PhD |
|
|
Chief, Laboratory of Molecular and Tumor Immunology Providence Portland Medical Center Earle A. Chiles Research Institute Portland, Oregon |
| CONTRIBUTING EDITOR F. Stephen Hodi, MD |
|
|
Clinical Director/Melanoma Department of Medical Oncology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston, Massachusetts |
