PELE - Personal Electronic Learning Environment: Ein System zur individuellen und effizienten Betreuung von Studierenden-Projekten in Grosslehrveranstaltungen

Wie auf allen Bildungsebenen geht auch in der Grundlagenausbildung an der ETH der aktuelle Trend Richtung Kompetenzorientierung. Problem- und Projektorientierter Unterricht ist insbesondere mit grossen Klassen von mehreren Hundert Studierenden mit einem immensen administrativen und organisatorischen Aufwand verbunden. Über 800 Erstsemestrige lernen in zwei Service-Vorlesungen des Departements Informatik Grundlagen der Programmierung, Datenverwaltung und Datenvisualisierung, indem Sie selbstständig Projekte mit Daten aus ihren Fächern unterstützt durch elektronische Tutorials bearbeiten. Den Abschluss jeder Sequenz bildet eine individuelle, 15-minütige Eins-zu-eins-Diskussion der Resultate mit einer Assistenzperson. Die Studierenden vertiefen in diesen individualisierten formativen Assessments ihr Verständnis und erhalten wichtiges individuelles Feedback über ihren aktuellen Leistungsstand. Das im Zuge dieses Projekts entwickelte Personal Electronic Learning Environment (PELE) organisiert die individuellen Coaching-Gespräche auch für grosse Studierendengruppen. Im Herbstsemester 2015 und 2016 haben 85 Lehrassistierende in den beiden Informatik-Lehrveranstaltungen über 8000 individuelle Coaching-Gespräche mit PELE durchgeführt und bewertet. Der Einsatz von PELE hat sich bei den Studierenden und den Assistierenden als äusserst populär erwiesen und führte dazu, dass sich die Studierenden aktiv und regelmässig bereits während dem Semester mit den Inhalten auseinandersetzten. Die Studierenden schätzen an PELE die erhöhte Eigeninitiative und Selbststeuerung, die Förderung durch persönliches Coaching und die regelmässige Standortbestimmung. Für die studentischen Coaches bietet diese Form ein ideales Umfeld, um ihre Fragetechnik und Feedback-Kompetenzen zu erweitern. Die eingebauten Monitoring-Möglichkeiten von PELE ermöglichen den Kursverantwortlichen kontinuierliche Einblicke zum allgemeinen Stand der studentischen Lernprozesse und zur Qualität der von den Assistierenden geleisteten Arbeit. Eine wichtige und bewährte Datengrundlage für das Monitoring der Assistierenden und Studierenden ist die gegenseitige Bewertung der formativen Assessments durch PELE

Antibodies as biomarker candidates for response and survival to checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma patients

Abstract Background Long-term survival of stage IV melanoma patients has improved significantly with the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CIs). Reliable biomarkers to predict response and clinical outcome are needed. Methods We investigated the role of melanoma-associated antibodies as predictive markers for CI therapy in two independent cohorts. In cohort 1, a prospective study, we measured specific antibodies before treatment, after one week and after six to nine weeks of treatment. Cohort 2 consisted of serum samples prior to CI therapy initiation. ELISA assays were performed to quantify specific IgG directed against melanocyte differentiation antigens tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2 (TRP1/TYRP1 and TRP2/TYRP2), glycoprotein 100 (gp100), MelanA/MART1, and the cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1. Response was defined as either complete or partial remission on CT scan according to RECIST 1.1. Results In cohort 1, baseline levels of these antibodies were higher in the responder group, although statistical significance was only reached for NY-ESO-1 (p = 0.007). In cohort 2, significantly higher antibody baseline levels for MelanA/MART1 (p = 0.003) and gp100 (p = 0.029) were found. After pooling the results from both cohorts, higher levels of MelanA/MART1 (p = 0.013), TRP1/TYRP1 (p = 0.048), TRP2/TYRP2 (p = 0.047) and NY-ESO-1 (p = 0.005) specific antibodies at baseline were independently associated with response. Conclusions Melanoma-associated antibodies may be candidate biomarkers for response and survival in metastatic melanoma patients being treated with CIs. These markers may be used to complement patient assessment, in combination with PD-L1 status, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor mutational burden, with the aim to predict outcome of CI treatment in patients with metastatic melanoma. Trial registration Ethikkommission Ostschweiz, EKOS 16/079 https://ongoingprojects.swissethics.ch/runningProjects_list.php?q=%28BASECID~contains~2016-00998%29&orderby=dBASECID

Association of Checkpoint Inhibitor–Induced Toxic Effects With Shared Cancer and Tissue Antigens in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Importance: Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1 (programmed cell death 1) axis has brought notable progress in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other cancers. However, autoimmune toxic effects are frequent and poorly understood, making it important to understand the pathophysiologic processes of autoimmune adverse effects induced by checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Objective: To gain mechanistic insight into autoimmune skin toxic effects induced by anti–PD-1 treatment in patients with non–small cell lung cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study was conducted from July 1, 2016, to December 31, 2018. Patients (n = 73) with non–small cell lung cancer who received anti–PD-1 therapy (nivolumab or pembrolizumab) were recruited from 4 different centers in Switzerland (Kantonsspital St Gallen, Spital Grabs, Spital Wil, and Spital Flawil). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, tumor biopsy specimens and biopsies from sites of autoimmune skin toxic effects were collected over a 2-year period, with patient follow-up after 1 year. Main Outcomes and Measures: Response to treatment, overall survival, progression-free survival, and development of autoimmune toxic effects (based on standard laboratory values and clinical examinations). Results: Of the cohort of 73 patients with NSCLC (mean [SD] age, 68.1 [8.9] years; 44 [60%] men), 25 (34.2% [95% CI, 24.4%-45.7%]) developed autoimmune skin toxic effects, which were more frequent in patients with complete remission or partial remission (68.2% [95% CI, 47.3%-83.6%]) than those with progressive or stable disease (19.6% [95% CI, 11.0%-32.5%]) (χ2 = 14.02, P < .001). Nine T-cell antigens shared between tumor tissue and skin were identified. These antigens were able to stimulate CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in vitro. Several of the antigen-specific T cells found in blood samples were also present in autoimmune skin lesions and lung tumors of patients who responded to anti–PD-1 therapy. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings highlight a potential mechanism of checkpoint inhibitor–mediated autoimmune toxic effects and describe the association between toxic effects and response to therapy; such an understanding will help in controlling adverse effects, deciphering new cancer antigens, and further improving immunotherapy