Specialized Seminar “Immunology in Cancer Treatment” – Latest Advances in Immunotherapy and AI Applications in Oncology

On July 29, 2025, the Faculty of Pharmacy at Van Lang University organized an online seminar titled “Immunology in Cancer Treatment.” The session was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Luan, an expert in Immunology and Molecular Microbiology currently working at the University of Texas – San Antonio (UTSA), with the participation of more than 150 Pharmacy students attending virtually.

This seminar was held as part of the Faculty’s international academic initiatives, designed to give students access to advanced knowledge from leading global experts, while helping broaden their professional perspectives on emerging trends in cancer research and treatment – a major challenge in modern medicine.

At the beginning, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Luan provided a comprehensive review of core immunology concepts – a field dedicated to studying the immune system: its structures, functions, and defense mechanisms against pathogens, particularly cancer cells.

Dr. Luan then presented on immunotherapy, an advanced cancer treatment approach that activates or modulates the immune system to destroy cancer cells. Key applications highlighted included monoclonal antibodies, cancer vaccines, CAR T-cell therapy, and immune modulators. Unlike chemotherapy or radiation therapy, immunotherapy stimulates the body’s natural defense mechanisms, offering higher effectiveness with reduced side effects for patients.

One of the most engaging parts of the seminar was the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in immunology, particularly in discovering and optimizing monoclonal antibodies. Dr. Luan shared a practical case from AbCellera Biologics (Canada), a pioneering biotechnology company applying AI in biomedical research. In 2022, the company used AI to identify and optimize monoclonal antibodies targeting key cancer antigens such as HER2 and PD-L1.

Thanks to high-speed and precise data analysis, AI has reduced antibody discovery time from several years to just weeks or months. Moreover, AI can simulate binding affinity, stability, and potential toxicity of antibodies, enabling scientists to design “smart” antibodies with higher efficacy, stronger specificity, fewer side effects, and better compatibility with individual disease conditions. The application of AI in immunology not only accelerates drug research and development but also plays a vital role in advancing personalized cancer treatment, ensuring each patient receives therapies tailored to their unique biological profile.

Beyond technology and therapies, the seminar emphasized the crucial role of pharmacists in cancer immunotherapy. Pharmacists are not merely drug providers; they are essential collaborators in immunotherapy management – from participating in clinical trials and monitoring patient responses to adjusting dosages and anticipating treatment risks.

This specialized seminar served as a bridge of knowledge between Vietnamese students and the international medical community. For Van Lang University’s Pharmacy students, this was not only an opportunity to deepen their expertise but also an inspiration to become competent, globally-minded pharmacists, ready to embrace new challenges in public healthcare.

News: Phuong Minh 
Photos: Gia Khang