Basics of cancer biology and therapy 2600-S1-CM-PBTN

The lecture introduces the student to the dynamically developing field of biomedical research on the biological basis of the processes of cancer development and progression. Its beginnings can be considered the mid-1970s, when concepts regarding the existence of proto-oncogenes were first formulated. During the lecture, students receive knowledge about the scale of the problem of cancer risk, current views on models of cancer development, molecular and genetic basis of cancer transformation, cancer progression and metastasis. Also discussed are basic techniques for detecting and diagnosing cancer, contemporary approaches to therapy with reference to the molecular basis of action of selected drugs, as well as issues of chemoprevention and the importance of health-promoting behaviors to reduce the risk of disease.
The topics of laboratory classes include basic issues related to the epidemiology of human cancer, individual stages of carcinogenesis, molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and the accompanying cytomorphological changes detected at the level of histopathological preparations. An important element of the course is to indicate the relationship between these disorders and cancer progression and patient prognosis, presentation of selected modern methods supporting cancer diagnosis in histopathological preparations (quantitative assessment of formalin-induced fluorescence (FIF), fluorescent assessment of postoperative freezing preparations of the skin and human gastrointestinal tract, immunohistochemical methods , digital methods for quantitative and qualitative analysis of immunocytochemical reaction results). During laboratory classes, students perform, among others: standard and specialized microscopic preparations used in pathological diagnostics, evaluate specialized pathological preparations and independently prepare frozen microscopic preparations from animal tissue material.

Total student workload

Hours carried out with the participation of teachers (60 hours): - participation in lectures – 15 h - participation in exercises - 30 h - consultations - 15 h Time devoted to individual student work (40 hours): - preparation for exercises - 10 h - preparation for colloquiums - 10 hours - test preparation and test attendance - 20 hours Total: 100 hours

Learning outcomes - knowledge

Student: W1 - knows methods of detecting molecules in microscopic preparations, the expression of which can be used as markers of disease lesions - K_W03, K_W04, K_W09 W2 - has knowledge of selected methods of diagnosing cancer at the level of histopathological preparations, with particular emphasis on the issues of sensitivity and specificity of the molecular markers used and is aware of the limitations of currently used diagnostic methods - K_W03, K_W04, K_W09 W3 - has knowledge of the basic biological processes leading to the development of cancer, is aware of their diversity and complexity, knows the basic concepts of cancer development perceived as a microevolutionary process taking place on a cellular scale in the host body - K_W03, K_W08 W4 - knows the genetic and environmental determinants of the occurrence of cancer diseases - K_W04, K_W08 W5 - is aware of the scale of the social problem of cancer, knows basic information about disease trends in the country and the world - K_W08, K_W10, K_W11

Learning outcomes - skills

Student: U1 - has the ability to make observations using a microscope and interpret the obtained results - K_U03, K_U04, K_U08, K_U09 U2 - uses computer hardware and software to the extent necessary to analyze images - K_U03, K_U04, K_U08 U3 - has the ability to independently analyze the microscopic results of immunohistochemical reactions and in situ hybridization to detect specific molecules in standard cyt- and histo(pathological) preparations and tissue microarrays - K_U03, K_U04, K_U08 U4 - demonstrates the ability to read and understand professional literature in the native language and English - K_U10

Learning outcomes - social competencies

Student: K1 - knows modern diagnostic methods and at the same time their limitations and resulting consequences, e.g. the need to systematically repeat periodic tests - K_K03, K_K05, K_K06 K2 - through microscopic observations and analysis of preparations, acquires a sense of responsibility for a reliable assessment and awareness of the need to follow procedures related to the preparation of biological material for research and the performance of individual stages of histo- and immunohistochemical staining - K_K01, K_K04, K_K05 K3 - is aware of the social scale of the risk of cancer and understands the importance of primary prevention and early diagnosis of cancer - K_K06 K4 - knows the arguments for promoting healthy behaviors and understands the importance of their dissemination to reduce the incidence of cancer - K_K05, K_K06 K5 - is aware of the need to comply with the principles of ethics - K_K01, K_K05 K6 - has the ability to organize individual and team work - K_K01, K_K02, K_K03, K_K04 K7 - is aware of the need to comply with occupational health and safety rules when performing laboratory work - K_K01, K_K02, K_K03, K_K04

Teaching methods

Informative lecture, multimedia presentation. During the classes, students have the opportunity to become familiar with modern histological, cyto- and histochemical methods and acquire the skills to prepare histopathological preparations and use a fluorescence microscope. Classes are conducted in groups of several people for reasons of occupational health and safety (use of chemical reagents, ultraviolet radiation sources) and the possibility for students to fully use the laboratory and microscope laboratories.

Expository teaching methods

- informative (conventional) lecture

Exploratory teaching methods

- practical
- laboratory
- experimental
- observation

Online teaching methods

- games and simulations

Type of course

compulsory course

Prerequisites

Knowledge of cell biology, genetics, biochemistry

Course coordinators

Anna Brożyna

Assessment criteria

Lecture - written exam
Laboratory classes - the conditions for passing are: attendance and activity during classes and a positive grade obtained on the basis of a test, which covers the topics covered in classes. The grade for the test is given according to the following scale:
negative 0-59%
dst 60-70%
dst plus 71-80%
db 81-88%
db plus 89-95%
very good 95-100%
The necessary condition for passing laboratory classes is a positive grade for the test. The final deadline for making up a failed test and the number of possible correctional test are defined by the instructor. The final grade for laboratory classes is given based on the arithmetic mean of all grades obtained. The ability to independently observe and analyze microscopic samples is also verified. The attendance of at least 80% is also the necessary condition for passing laboratory classes.

Practical placement

n/a

Bibliography

1. Ahmed N.: “Clinical Biochemistry”,Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2011,
2. Alberts B., A. Johnson, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts, P. Walter: „Molecular Biology of the Cell – Fifth Edition”, Garland Science, Taylor & Francis Group (2008),
3. Chabner B.A., Lynch T.J. i D.L. Longo: “Harrison Onkologia”, wyd. polskie pod red. D. Perek, Wydawnictwo Czelej, Lublin, 2009,
4. Coleman W.B. i G.J. Tsongalis: „The Molecular Basis of Human Cancer”, Humana Press Inc. (2010),
5. “Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective”, World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research, Washington D.C., 2007,
6. Jorgensen J.T. i H. Winther: “Molecular diagnostics. The Key Driver in Personalized Cancer Medicine”, Pan Stanford Publishing Pte. Ltd. Singapore, 2010,
7. Knowles M. i P. Selby: “Introduction to the cellular and molecular biology of cancer” 4th ed., Oxford University Press (2005),
8. Kumar V., R.S. Cotran i S.L. Robbins: "Patologia", Urban&Partner, Wrocław (2013),
9. Schrijvers D., H.J. Senn, H. Mellstedt i B. Zakotnik: “Podręcznik profilaktyki chorób nowotworowych”, Medipage, Warszawa, 2009,
10. A. Fauci, E. Braunwald, D.L. Kasper, S.L. Hauser, D.L. Longo, J.L. Jameson: „Interna Harrisona”, wydawnictwo Czelej, Lublin 2009
11. Stewart B.W. i P. Kleihues: “World Cancer Report”, IARC Press, Lyon 2014,
12. Materiały własne Zakładu Biologii Medycznej,
13. Aktualne publikacje z czasopism i sympozjów międzynarodowych.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2600-S1-CM-PBTN in USOSweb