ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 102 Hours of tutorials: 6 Expository Class: 18 Interactive Classroom: 24 Total: 150
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Physiology, Forensic Science, Pathological Anatomy, Gynaecology and Obstetrics and Paediatrics
Areas: Physiology, Pathological Anatomy
Center Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
In this course, the student will become familiar with the investigation of the biological bases of cancer, especially with studying the biology of the cancer cell.
Specifically, students will study the nomenclature of the different types of tumors, learn to distinguish benign from malignant tumors and define the biological characteristics of malignant tumors. Likewise, students will become familiar with the most relevant models of cancer research, both in vitro and in vivo, so that they have the necessary tools to launch a study on any aspect of tumor cell biology, and that you understand and can criticize the experiments carried out on this subject. The most relevant molecular alterations that underlie the behavior of cancer cells will also be addressed in the course, with which the student will learn how to act on the most important oncogenes and suppressor genes while reviewing the literature that has generated this knowledge and becomes even more familiar with the experiments in this scientific field. The course continues with the application of the knowledge acquired to the study of two very important processes in the biology of cancer, oncogenesis and the response to anticancer therapy. Lastly, the student must be introduced to the biology of the most relevant cancers, so that they will learn to apply their knowledge to specific cancers, and will have information on specific molecular alterations of types of cancers that are not addressed in previous topics.
1. Introduction to cancer. General concepts. Major manifestations of tumors. Benign and malignant tumors. Nomenclature. Morphological and biological characteristics of malignant tumors.
2. Experimental oncology: an experimental approach to the study of cancer. Using cell culture and animal models in cancer research. Genomic techniques and bioinformatics in cancer research. Other approaches.
3. Etiology of cancer: chemical, physical and viral carcinogenesis. Genetic predisposition to cancer.
4. Clinical and molecular epidemiology of cancer.
5. Cancer genetics. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Congenital and acquired mutations. Epigenetics of cancer.
6. Cellular and molecular biology of cancer. The abnormal proliferation of cancer cells. Cancer cell acquisitions: altered senescence and apoptosis. Molecular basis of metastasis and angiogenesis. Causes of the genomic instability of cáncer cells.
7. Molecular pathology and molecular diagnostics.
8. Antineoplastic therapy. Surgery. Chemotherapeutic agents. Families and mechanisms of action. Biological effects of radiation. Biological therapy.
9. Biology of the most common cancers. Lung cancer. Breast and ovarian cancer. Colon cancer. Leukemias and lymphomas. Other cancers.
Weinberg RA. The Biology of Cancer. 2013. Garland Science. 2nd Ed.
Alberts B et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 2007. Fifth ed. Garland Science.
deVita VS et al. Cancer: principles and practice of oncology. 2005. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. 7ª Ed.
Fuaci AS et al. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 2001. McGraw-Hill. 15ª Ed.
Knowles, MA & Selby, P. Introduction to the cellular and molecular biology of cancer. Oxford University Press. 4ª Ed. 2005
Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC. Robbins y Cotran. Patología Estructural y funcional. 10ª Ed. 2021.
Lodish HF et al. Molecular Cell Biology. Freeman. & Co. 6th Ed. 2008
Morgan D. O.. The Cell Cycle. Oxford University Press. 2007.
Original papers and reviews, particularly of the Nature Reviews Cancer series.
Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. The hallmarks of cancer. Cell 2000; 100(1): 57-70.
Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. Hallmarks of cancer: the next generation. Cell 2011; 144(5): 646-674.
Hanahan D. Hallmarks of cancer: new dimensions. Cancer Discov 2022; 12(1): 31-46.
Carmeliet P, De Smet F, Loges S, Mazzone M. Branching morphogenesis and antiangiogenesis candidates: tip cells lead the way. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2009;6(6):315-26.
Collado M, Serrano M. Senescence in tumours: evidence from mice and humans. Nat Rev Cancer. 2010;10(1):51-7.
Cotter TG. Apoptosis and cancer: the genesis of a research field. Nat Rev Cancer. 2009;9(7):501-7.
Jordan CT. Cancer stem cells: controversial or just misunderstood? Cell Stem Cell. 2009;4(3):203-5.
Luo J, Solimini NL, Elledge SJ. Principles of cancer therapy: oncogene and non-oncogene addiction. Cell. 2009;136(5):823-37.
Malumbres M, Barbacid M. Cell cycle, CDKs and cancer: a changing paradigm. Nat Rev Cancer. 2009 9(3):153-66.
Nguyen DX, Bos PD, Massagué J. Metastasis: from dissemination to organ-specific colonization. Nat Rev Cancer. 2009; 9(4):274-84.
Schvartzman JM, Sotillo R, Benezra R. Mitotic chromosomal instability and cancer: mouse modelling of the human disease. Nat Rev Cancer. 2010 10(2):102-15.
Stratton MR, Campbell PJ, Futreal PA. The cancer genome. Nature. 2009 458(7239):719-24.
Understanding cancer biology, and particularly the biology of the cancer cells.
Students should get to know the nomenclature of different types of tumors, distinguish benign and malignant tumors, and define the biological characteristics of malignant tumors.
They will know the most important models in cancer research, both in vitro and in vivo, acquire the ability to launch a study on any aspect of the biology of tumor cells, and understand and interpret experiments with critical thinking on this topic.
They will know the most relevant molecular changes underlying the behavior of cancer cells, understand how oncogenes and suppressor genes act, and know the most common genomic alterations.
Students will also know the basic literature in the field and key scientific experimental approaches.
Expository classes in person or by telematic methods.
Problem-based learning.
Seminars. Students have to present and defend their work.
Participation in research seminars and conferences.
Tutorials.
Evaluation criteria:
Final written exam (60%)
Evaluation of students' work and seminars (20%)
Valuation of attendance and active participation (20%)
Lectures can be taught in Galician, Spanish, or English.
Knowledge of English is necessary to handle the bibliography and to do class work.
Clara Alvarez Villamarin
- Department
- Physiology
- Area
- Physiology
- Phone
- 881815452
- clara.alvarez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Maximo Francisco Fraga Rodriguez
- Department
- Forensic Science, Pathological Anatomy, Gynaecology and Obstetrics and Paediatrics
- Area
- Pathological Anatomy
- Phone
- 881812364
- maximo.fraga [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Roman Perez Fernandez
- Department
- Physiology
- Area
- Physiology
- Phone
- 881815421
- roman.perez.fernandez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Anxo Vidal Figueroa
- Department
- Physiology
- Area
- Physiology
- Phone
- 881815417
- anxo.vidal [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
Miguel Angel Fidalgo Perez
Coordinador/a- Department
- Physiology
- Area
- Physiology
- Phone
- 881815488
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician, Spanish | Aulario-Classroom 10 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 10:30-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish, Galician | Aulario-Classroom 10 |
| Thursday | |||
| 09:30-11:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician, Spanish | Aulario-Classroom 10 |