Name
Advancing Oncology Education: An Online Elective in Cancer Immunotherapy
for Medical Students
Date & Time
Sunday, June 7, 2026, 4:19 PM - 4:34 PM
Location Name
Oglethorpe H
Speakers
Authors
Brandon M. Godinich, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Department of Medical Education, El Paso, TX
Mark Raynor, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Department of Medical Education, El Paso, TX
Rivers Hock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Department of Medical Education, El Paso, TX
Jennifer Grier, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, Greenville, SC
Ghislaine Mayer, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Department of Medical Education, El Paso, TX
Jessica Chacon, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Department of Medical Education, El Paso, TX
Presentation Topic(s)
E-Learning
Description
PURPOSE:
“The Basics and Implementations of Cancer Immunotherapy” is an online,
two-week elective for MS4s designed to strengthen understanding of immunology
and key immunotherapeutic strategies, including CAR-T therapy, checkpoint
inhibitors, cytokine therapy, and cancer vaccines. Students also complete a
capstone assignment aligned with the course’s novel therapy objective: review
treatment modalities and emerging developments, then propose a new therapy
protocol.
A new objective was added this year requiring students to identify and
describe the role of Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Immunotherapy.
Students must now address AI applications in immunotherapy and incorporate
AI-driven components into their proposed novel therapies.
METHODS:
A prospective mixed-methods post-test design was used. Students completed
pre- and post-elective quizzes assessing immunotherapy concepts. A
post-course survey included Likert-scale and open-ended items evaluating
satisfaction, perceived value, knowledge gaps, and student perceptions of AI.
Additional items assessed whether integrating AI into the novel therapy
assignment was a useful learning exercise.
RESULTS:
35 students enrolled, with 20 responding. Respondents (“Strongly Agree” or
“Agree”) reported improved understanding of immunotherapy mechanisms,
strengthened immunology foundations, and increased confidence in describing
immunotherapeutic modalities and immune-related toxicities. Students will
also assess the relevance of the AI content to their future training and its
value in enhancing application-based learning through the novel therapy
project. These perceptions will be analyzed to guide future course
refinement.
CONCLUSION:
This elective addresses a gap in medical education by preparing future
physicians to understand and apply evolving immunotherapy principles. The
addition of AI content equips trainees to evaluate emerging technologies and
integrate new approaches into therapeutic design. By combining scientific,
clinical, and technological competencies, the course supports the development
of physicians prepared to translate advances in cancer immunotherapy into
patient-centered practice.
“The Basics and Implementations of Cancer Immunotherapy” is an online,
two-week elective for MS4s designed to strengthen understanding of immunology
and key immunotherapeutic strategies, including CAR-T therapy, checkpoint
inhibitors, cytokine therapy, and cancer vaccines. Students also complete a
capstone assignment aligned with the course’s novel therapy objective: review
treatment modalities and emerging developments, then propose a new therapy
protocol.
A new objective was added this year requiring students to identify and
describe the role of Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Immunotherapy.
Students must now address AI applications in immunotherapy and incorporate
AI-driven components into their proposed novel therapies.
METHODS:
A prospective mixed-methods post-test design was used. Students completed
pre- and post-elective quizzes assessing immunotherapy concepts. A
post-course survey included Likert-scale and open-ended items evaluating
satisfaction, perceived value, knowledge gaps, and student perceptions of AI.
Additional items assessed whether integrating AI into the novel therapy
assignment was a useful learning exercise.
RESULTS:
35 students enrolled, with 20 responding. Respondents (“Strongly Agree” or
“Agree”) reported improved understanding of immunotherapy mechanisms,
strengthened immunology foundations, and increased confidence in describing
immunotherapeutic modalities and immune-related toxicities. Students will
also assess the relevance of the AI content to their future training and its
value in enhancing application-based learning through the novel therapy
project. These perceptions will be analyzed to guide future course
refinement.
CONCLUSION:
This elective addresses a gap in medical education by preparing future
physicians to understand and apply evolving immunotherapy principles. The
addition of AI content equips trainees to evaluate emerging technologies and
integrate new approaches into therapeutic design. By combining scientific,
clinical, and technological competencies, the course supports the development
of physicians prepared to translate advances in cancer immunotherapy into
patient-centered practice.
Presentation Tag(s)
Student Presentation