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This graduate level advanced course focuses on the role of the immune system in cancer biology. The composition and characteristics of the tumor microenvironment vary widely and are important in determining the anti-tumor immune response. For example, certain cells of the immune system, including natural killer cells, dendritic cells (DCs) and effector T cells, are capable of driving potent anti-tumor responses. However, tumor cells often induce an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which favors the development of immunosuppressive populations of immune cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells. Understanding the complexity of immunomodulation by tumors is important for the development of immunotherapy. Various strategies are being developed to enhance anti-tumor immune responses, including DC-based vaccines and antagonists of inhibitory signaling pathways to overcome 'immune checkpoints'. Existing therapies are also being investigated for their ability to induce an anti-tumor immune response, which could lead to the administration of combination immunotherapies that provide a more efficacious and enduring response. It will expand upon basic immunologic principles to discuss the importance of the immune system both as a protector from and a cause of cancer. It will be explored in a faculty-led seminar format. This course is appropriate for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research staff/scientists.