For the eighth consecutive year, the University of Navarra and Bristol Myers Squibb have closed the VIII edition of the "degree scroll de Experto en Inmuno-Oncología", a specific program that has as goal the training of physicians specialized in cancer management on the main mechanisms involved in the evasion of the immune response, clinical protocols during the different phases of the disease and the latest therapies for the treatment of various types of solid and hematological tumors.

During this program students have expanded their training, both theoretical and internship, related to the latest advances and tools in the area of Immuno-Oncology (IO). The degree scroll was made up of 8 modules and was carried out face-to-face. The classes were held at the Alumni building of campus of the University of Navarra in Madrid, and the content was monitored online. The course, which lasted 9 months, ended with the submission of a final work Degree .

A scientific workshop with national and international experts

To close this last edition of the course, several scientific presentations were organized by national and international experts who have contributed to the development of new immunological drugs against cancer. On the international level, Prof. Alberto Mantovani (director scientific of the Humanitas Clinical Institute, Milan, Italy), expert in molecular mechanisms of innate immunity and inflammatory immunity, and Prof. Franco Locatelli (IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy), expert in hematological and oncological neoplasms in children, took part. And as national representative, Prof. Francisco Sánchez Madrid (Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain), whose professional approach has been the intercellular communication in the immune response.

In addition, Dr. Nicholas Botwood (Global Vice President Medical Oncology at Bristol Myers Squibb) and Dr. Tim Campbell (Director Executive and Head of development Early Clinical Hematology Oncology and Cellular Therapy at Bristol Myers Squibb) participated in the event and discussed the future of Oncology and Hematology at Bristol Myers Squibb.

The importance of delving into the knowledge of cancer

During the meeting, Dr. Ignacio Melero, director of the program and co-director of the department of immunology and immunotherapy of the Clínica Universidad de Navarrahighlighted the need and importance of continuing to deepen the knowledge of new treatments to combat this disease. "In this last academic year students have been able to obtain a broad training aimed at the multidisciplinary approach to cancer and how to treat the disease through immunotherapy." In addition, Dr. Melero emphasized that "the diagnostic and therapeutic approach must inevitably be framed within the framework of precision medicine".

For his part, Dr. Pedro Berraondo, co-director and coordinator of the degree scroll Expert in Immuno-Oncology, pointed out that the great advances that have taken place in recent years in terms of research and new therapies that use the immune system itself as a mechanism to combat different forms of cancer make a continuous training necessary. In addition, Dr. Marta Ferrer Puga, Dean of the School of Medicine of the University of Navarra, emphasized her appreciation for establishing, between the University of Navarra and Bristol Myers Squibb, one of the most prestigious academic collaborations in Spain.

To conclude, Dr. José Cabrera, director physician for Bristol Myers Squibb in Spain and Portugal, highlighted the importance of dedicating resources to research to advance new treatments and thus improve and prolong the lives of people with cancer. "For BMS the research and development is a fundamental pillar and, as a company, we believe that the continuous advances in the field of oncology require a continued high quality medical Education for healthcare professionals."