The Oncology Fellowship Program in Cellular Therapy at Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine provides a unique opportunity for exceptional candidates to pursue advanced clinical training in the management of solid tumors with a specific focus on cutting-edge cell therapies, particularly CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy.

During your training, your responsibilities will evolve alongside your experience, capabilities, and performance. You will become proficient in the comprehensive management of CAR-T therapy, from patient selection and eligibility determination to administering intravenous and local CAR-T treatments. Additionally, you will gain in-depth expertise in evaluating treatment efficacy, managing side effects, and contributing to the development of translational research aimed at improving CAR-T outcomes for patients with solid tumors.

From the moment you join our team, you will notice the difference in how we care for both our patients and our trainees. At Zhejiang University First Hospital, we believe in the power of mentorship, with a firm commitment to developing your skills in both clinical practice and academic research. Our mission is to provide hope and healing to those suffering from cancer, using the latest advancements in cellular therapy to deliver the most personalized, effective treatments possible.

We understand that every candidate brings a unique set of experiences and aspirations. With our strong focus on collaboration, you will be mentored by some of the leading experts in oncology and cellular therapy, gaining exposure to the latest research and groundbreaking clinical applications. Our supportive and inclusive environment will allow you to hone your skills, contribute to pioneering research, and be part of a community dedicated to advancing cancer treatment one patient at a time.

1. Hands-on experience with cutting-edge CAR-T therapy: Learn to perform both standard and advanced CAR-T cell therapy techniques for patients with solid tumors, under the direct supervision of expert oncologists. This includes patient selection, preparation, and management of intravenous and local CAR-T infusions.

2. Direct access to faculty members: Work alongside a team of internationally recognized leaders in oncology and cellular therapy. Our faculty members are at the forefront of clinical practice and research, publishing over 200 papers annually and frequently speaking at major oncology conferences.

3. Active involvement in daily rounds and patient management: Each morning, participate in rounds with a small team, led by a senior faculty member. You will present new patient cases, review ongoing treatments, assess patient outcomes, and engage in teaching sessions focused on CAR-T therapy and solid tumor management.

4. Exceptional research opportunities: Engage in groundbreaking translational research, with ample opportunities to contribute to clinical studies and trials aimed at improving CAR-T therapy for solid tumors. You will have the chance to work on innovative projects that aim to optimize patient outcomes and explore new treatment avenues.

5. Clinical research projects during rotations: You will have significant time dedicated to conducting clinical research, particularly during your Donor Service rotations, where you can collaborate with leading experts on studies that bridge clinical practice and laboratory research.

6. Comprehensive didactic training: Participate in a structured educational program, which includes monthly morbidity and mortality conferences, weekly Oncology Grand Rounds, tumor board meetings, research conferences, and journal clubs. These sessions are designed to deepen your knowledge of oncology, cellular therapies, and patient care strategies.

7.Graduated autonomy and skill progression: Experience a structured progression through various aspects of CAR-T therapy, starting with initial training and advancing to independent management of patient cases as your skills and experience grow. You will be progressively entrusted with greater responsibilities in both clinical and research settings.

The goal of our program is to train advanced fellows in the specialized care of patients undergoing cutting-edge cellular therapies, including CAR-T therapy for solid tumors. Trainees will develop expertise in managing both common and complex oncological conditions, encompassing ambulatory care, inpatient management, and various clinical procedures related to cellular therapies.

Through exposure to a diverse group of experts in clinical, translational, and basic oncology research, our program is designed to provide fellows with a strong foundation in clinical investigation. This experience will equip them to make significant contributions to the field of cellular therapy and solid tumor management, fostering successful careers in academic oncology.

Fellows will have dedicated research time and access to extensive resources to design and conduct independent clinical research projects, supported by faculty mentorship. This will enable them to explore innovative strategies for improving patient outcomes, advancing cellular therapy treatments, and contributing to the evolving landscape of oncology.

The program provides a full-time, 2-week to 6-month training experience. In special circumstances, arrangements can be made for other lengths of training depending on your needs and interests.

• Fellows: Qualified applicants for the medical oncology Fellowship must have completed a medical oncology residency program at an accredited institution.

• Residents: To be eligible for the medical oncology residency, you must have successfully completed a board-approved program in medical oncology.

• Students:

1. Must be a final-year medical student when you are scheduled to participate in the rotation. This means all your core / required clerkship rotations are complete at the time of the clinical elective.

2. Medical School Approval - Letter of good standing from the dean's office of your medical school indicating you are in the final year with your expected graduation date, in good academic standing and meet all requirements to complete an elective for academic credit. 

Focus Areas & Subspecialties:

• CAR-T Therapy for Solid Tumors

• Tumor Immunotherapy and Combination Approaches

• Cell Therapy in Hematological Malignancies

• Solid Tumor Immunobiology

• Personalized Cancer Treatment Strategies

• Translational Research in Cellular Therapy

• Advanced Imaging and Diagnostic Techniques for Oncology

• Clinical Management of Post-CAR-T Therapy Patients

• Inpatient and Outpatient Care for Oncological Patients

• Multidisciplinary Tumor Board Management

• Adverse Event Management in Cellular Therapy

• Patient Selection for Cellular Therapy

• Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine in Oncology

Skills:

•Basic Oncology Skills: Patient assessment, tumor staging, biopsy techniques, and post-operative care.

• CAR-T Cell Therapy Procedures: Preparation of CAR-T cells, infusion techniques, and patient monitoring.

• Cellular Immunotherapy Techniques: Engineering immune cells, cytokine release syndrome (CRS) management, and toxicity management.

• Advanced Clinical Skills in Oncology: Oncological assessments, managing side effects of immunotherapies, and supportive care for cancer patients.

• Research and Data Analysis Skills: Designing and conducting clinical trials, data collection and analysis, and scientific writing for research publications.

• Patient Communication Skills: Counseling and educating patients about cutting-edge therapies and managing patient expectations in advanced cancer treatments.

1st Week:

Introduction & Welcome

Program overview and objectives

Department introduction & tour

Overview of the Cellular Therapy Program and current research in cancer immunotherapy

Weekly:

MDT (Multidisciplinary Tumor Board) Conferences

Complicated Case Study: Review of challenging cases in cellular therapy and immunotherapy

Weekly:

Mentor One-on-One Training

Topics:

Cellular Therapy: Current advancements and clinical applications

CAR-T and TCR Therapy in Solid Tumors

Biomarkers in Cancer Immunotherapy

Clinical Genomics and Precision Oncology

Immunological Monitoring Post-CAR-T Treatment

Weekly:

Outpatient Observation: Observing patient interactions and therapy administration in the outpatient clinic

Academic Lecture: "The Future of Tumor Immunotherapy: Combining Cellular Therapy and Checkpoint Inhibitors"

Biweekly:

Research Training

Major Themes:

Tumor Microenvironment and its Role in Immunotherapy

Engineering Immune Cells for Cancer Treatment

Translational Research in Cellular Therapy

Genetic Factors in Tumor Immunology

Personalized Medicine in Oncology

Weekly:

Clinical Rounds: Patient care rounds with emphasis on cellular therapy-related cases

Case-Based Discussion: Focus on real patient cases involving CAR-T therapy or other cell-based treatments

Teaching Rounds: Discussion of ongoing research and clinical applications in cellular therapy

Biweekly:

Simulated Therapy Procedures: Hands-on training in CAR-T cell infusion and related procedures

Weekly:

Lectures:

Topics:

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Combination with Cellular Therapy

Imaging and Biomarker Monitoring in Tumor Immunotherapy

Thursday

Weekly:

Surgical Skills Training

Preparation of tumor biopsies for cellular therapy

Basic skills in tumor tissue collection and handling for immune cell processing

Infusion techniques for cellular therapies

Biweekly:

Hands-On Training:

Tumor sample collection

Preparation and quality control of CAR-T cells for patient infusion

Weekly:

Journal Club: Discussion of recent advancements in cancer immunotherapy, particularly cell-based treatments

Clinical Rounds: Emphasis on managing side effects post-cell therapy, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity

Clinical Skills Training: Focus on handling complications and monitoring patient responses in cellular therapy

Last Week:

Wrap-Up & Reflection: Overview of key learnings throughout the program

Participant Presentations: Presentation of individual research projects or clinical cases

Feedback Session: Discussion of strengths and areas for improvement in training

1. Rotation-Based Evaluation

At the end of each rotation, faculty will assess fellows on the following core competencies:

Patient Care: Ability to manage patients receiving cellular therapies, including handling side effects (e.g., CRS, neurotoxicity).

Medical Knowledge: Understanding of tumor immunology and cellular therapies (e.g., CAR-T, TCR therapy).

Practice-Based Learning: Ability to apply evidence-based medicine and engage in self-directed learning.

Communication Skills: Effectiveness in communicating with patients, families, and the healthcare team.

Professionalism: Adherence to ethical standards, team collaboration, and institutional protocols.

Systems-Based Practice: Proficiency in using hospital systems, including electronic health records.

2. Individual Faculty Feedback

Faculty will provide one-on-one feedback, discussing strengths, areas for improvement, and career development.

3. Technical Competency Evaluation

Fellows will be assessed on technical skills related to cellular therapies, including procedures, complication management, and simulation-based training.

4. Monthly Clinical Competency Review

A monthly committee will review fellows' overall performance, including patient care, research progress, and team participation, providing feedback and adjusting goals as needed.

Fees：The program is free of charge.

Xuqi Sun

Education Program Coordinator

Phone: +86 18767186629

Email: sunxq@zju.edu.cn