The aim of the course is that the participant achieves state-of-the-art knowledge and understanding of mechanisms in immunological discrimination between normal and malignant cells (immune surveillance) and knowledge of mechanisms of cell transformation, including oncogenic viruses and concepts like tumor-associated antigens, oncofetal antigens, cancer testis antigens, immune check points and immunogenic cell death. New methods of cancer immunotherapy are described in relation to cancer immunology, including preventive and therapeutic cancer vaccines.

The following main topics are contained in the course:

• Immunological recognition of cancer cells (immune surveillance) compared with immunological self/non-self discrimination

• Innate and adaptive immunity in cancer immunology

• Oncogenic viruses and immunity to these

• Immunogenic versus non-immunogenic cell death

• Hallmarks in development of cancer

• Diagnostics of cancer and paraneoplastic diseases

• Immunotherapy of cancer

• Cancer vaccines