The Cure Within: Fighting Cancer with Your Immune System
FYSEMR 53D
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
Cancer. We all know someone who has been affected by this formidable disease. The search for a cure has spurred advancements in therapeutic approaches with an unconventional target, the body’s own immune system. This seminar will explore the revolutionary potential of leveraging immune cells to combat cancer. Exciting new therapeutics to harness the immune system are already in the clinic, with many more being developed by researchers all over the world.
Through collaborative discussions, presentations, and investigation of popular science articles and scientific research papers, students will delve into the fundamental principles of cancer biology, the immune system, and tumor immunotherapy. We will explore questions such as: Why do tumors grow? How does the immune system “see” tumor cells? How can we manipulate immune cells to better target and eliminate growing tumors?
To conclude this seminar, students will craft group presentations to illuminate a cutting-edge cancer immunotherapy for a lay audience. Empowered with a solid foundation in the basics of cancer immunology and the skills to critically engage with scientific information, students will leave this seminar equipped to navigate the ongoing dialogue surrounding cancer and its treatment.
NOTE: This seminar also includes a field trip to a tumor immunology lab at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, providing a firsthand encounter with groundbreaking research.
Class Notes
First-Year Seminars are available only to first-year students. You may apply to both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 First-Year Seminars via the FYS lottery between July 6 and August 6, 2026 at 11:59PM-midnight.
You may apply to as many seminars each term as you would like, but we recommend you apply to at least six in fall and three in spring.
As part of your application, you must provide a brief statement on why you are interested in each seminar. You will be notified of lottery results for both fall and spring seminars at 5 pm on August 11. If you are unsuccessful in the lottery, you may still join any seminar with open seats. A list of open seminars and instructions on next steps will be available on the First-Year Seminar Program website August 11 at 12 Noon.
Not Available for Cross Registration
