CANCER - PATHOGENESIS AND THERAPEUTICS - 2021/2

Module Overview

Gives the student a broad understanding of the problem and biological processes underlying cancer and a range of clinically relevant therapeutic approaches. The emphasis is on human studies and data and it fits well within a biomedical sciences program

Module provider

School of Biosciences and Medicine

Module Leader

MEIRA Lisie (Biosc & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

BMS2036 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS: FROM GENES TO BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION

Module content

Introduction to cancer,: causes, epidemiology, lifestyle + environment
Histopathology of cancer: classification of cancer lesions, the pathologist’s perspective
Development of cancer: from cancer initiation to disease progression and metastases
Molecular processes underlying cancer: cancer hallmarks, oncogenic changes working singly and in parallel
DNA damage and repair: mismatches and mutations, DNA repair in cancer development and cancer treatment, cancer prone syndromes
Viruses and genetic factors: virally induced cancers, familial cancers, common genetic defects in cancer
Common cancers: breast, colon and lung cancer:; incidence, disease presentation, associated genetics, risk factors

Cancer therapy: conventional cancer chemotherapy drugs: main classes, mechanisms of action, toxicities, tumour types treated
Drug resistance: the clinical problem and underlying mechanisms
New targeted therapy for cancer: growth factor receptors, oncogene targets, anti-angiogenics, new developments

Immunotherapy: cancer treatment in the 21st century
Clinical Case study: real cancer patient cases, presentation and subsequent treatment pathways
Revision sessions

 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

• Extended reading and analysis of relevant material: Coursework essay is based on topics that are related to but not directly covered in the lecture series.


• Engagement in the use of feedback: there will be opportunity for peer feedback sessions prior to coursework submission.


• Engagement in the use of feedback II: there will be one coursework tutorial where guidance will be given to students about coursework format and assessment criteria.


• A depth of understanding and integration of knowledge about molecular mechanisms, cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches in a 2 hour extended examination essay (2 questions answered from a choice of 5).

• 1 coursework essay from a choice of 3 topics, 1500 words.


• 2-hour examination in which students write 2 extended essays from a choice of 5 questions.

• Individual tutoring on the coursework preparation and the reasons for the marking is provided on request.


• Coursework is given back with comments and general points are covered in short tutorial-type periods before lectures.

Module aims

• Provide an understanding of the factors responsible for the development of the most common forms of cancer and students will have an appreciation of the development of cancers both from a molecular viewpoint and also from early precancerous lesions to terminal disease from the viewpoint of histopathology.
• To provide an understanding of how genetics, environmental and stochastic factors contribute to the development of human cancers.
• Demonstrate how we can interfere with the development of cancers in a chemo-preventative setting, by the use of chemotherapeutic agents and also gain an understanding into the development and use of new therapies based on rational design and immunotherapy.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Provide lectures delivered by research active experts in the field of cancer research including clinical oncologists.


• Allow integration of knowledge of molecular mechanisms and disease pathogenesis of a variety of cancer types.


• Introduce the students to concepts of therapeutic strategy and design within the context of cancer pathogenesis.

• Lectures given over a 10-12 week period amounting to 24 hours


• One clinical study lecture given by a medical oncologist


• Sessions for advice on scientific writing and the correct use of referencing (for coursework)


• Session for coursework peer-review


• A revision tutorial 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMS3063

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.