8 ECTS credits
220 u studietijd
Aanbieding 1 met studiegidsnummer 4002188ENR voor alle studenten in het 2e semester met een verdiepend master niveau.
The course has two main segments:
1. An overview of the clinical context of cancer including different therapeutic options as well as important research questions
In this segment the course will explain what a malignant cell is, the characteristics of the malignant phenotype and how a benign cell gives rise to a malignant cell (malignant transformation).
Different therapeutic options including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy are discussed. For each section main research questions for the future will be highlighted.
2. A more profound discussion of the different aspects of cancer research by different professors according to their expertise followed by the clinical impact of this research.
Different aspects of cancer research will be discussed demonstrating their impact on resolving the questions mentioned in segment 1.
This segment will include following aspects:
a) Causes of the malignant phenotype (mutations in cancer genes) and the different types of cancer genes: oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes and DNA repair and stability genes. The experimental methods that led to the discovery of these genes as well as the different mechanisms by which they become mutated are explained. The development of targeted treatments against the products of these genes is reviewed, including the different strategies: antisense, monoclonal ant bodies, small molecules. The different strategies and techniques are discussed including the anti-sense strategies small molecules and monoclonal antibodies.Separately the students are also taught basic aspects of clinical cancer diagnosis and treatment and the existing armentarium for doing this. An expert with a proven track record deals with the cloning of cancer genes starting from chromosomal abnormalities and the methodologies, used to this end.
The signal transduction cascade affected in malignant cells is discussed.
Invasion and metastasis are essential characteristics of the malignant phenotype and are discussed also by experts in the field.
b) The genetic cancer syndromes are discussed with regard to their mechanisms residing in cancer predisposing genes and the impact at the clinical level.
c) Role of the immune system of the defects in immune surveillance. Immunotherapy will be discussed including resistance and cancer vaccines.
d) Haematological malignancies, leukaemia and lymphoma, especially multiple myeloma as a model of research, are discussed.
Stem cell technology in the context of the administration of high-dose chemotherapy is discussed.
e) A separate course deals with gene therapy, the in vitro and in vivo accomplishments and also the obstacles for further development of this type of treatment including corrective gene therapy. Possible venues to bring this technology forward are discussed.
Students receive transcripts of the slides shown in the courses. They also have to rely on the notes they have taken in the courses. During the course it is indicated what is essential or what is supplementary information for the student with regard to the exam. Where necessary useful review articles, which could be useful, are indicated.
Complementary study material:
Review articles indicated during course
This course will give to the student fundamental knowledge to the students about the malignant cell, its characteristics compared to the normal cell, the pathogenesis and the research that led to present knowledge of mutant signal transduction pathways in cancer cells.
A translational link is made with clinical diagnosis and treatment of cancer using the most recent therapeutic options. Especially the methodology in the development of targeted therapies is highlighted. The global course should give the students the possibility to understand the different aspects of cancer research both from a fundamental point of view as from an applied translational point of view with a critical insight and give them the basis for a potential further career in cancer research or related to cancer.
De beoordeling bestaat uit volgende opdrachtcategorieën:
Examen Mondeling bepaalt 50% van het eindcijfer
Examen Andere bepaalt 50% van het eindcijfer
Binnen de categorie Examen Mondeling dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
Binnen de categorie Examen Andere dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
The students receive two articles from each of the five professors of which one review and one research article. They can choose one review and research article as they see fit. They have to discuss this article during the exam, present the essentials of the article and be able to critically discuss the article. The articles are connected to the subject discussed in the course. The students receive a series of keywords derived from the topics discussed during the theoretical courses. This limited number of keywords is provided in view of the vastness of the subject of cancer research. Two professors examine each student. The weight of the exam is equally partitioned over the two parts (articles and theory)
Deze aanbieding maakt deel uit van de volgende studieplannen:
Master in de biomedische wetenschappen: management en bedrijfsleven
Master in de biomedische wetenschappen: klinische biomedische wetenschappen
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of Biomedical Research: Standaard traject (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Educatieve master in de gezondheidswetenschappen: standaard traject (120 ECTS, Etterbeek)