Course for international guest/part time students
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- Organization
- TTK Department of General Zoology
- Code
- tumbiogb22em
- Title
- Biology of cancer L
- Usual semester
- Autumn
- ECTS
- 3
- Language
- en
- Learning outcomes
- Competencies: Knowledge: Knows the classification of tumors by origin and the causes of their formation (hereditary predisposition, biological, chemical, physical carcinogens). Knows the molecular and cell morphological steps of tumor genetics. Is aware of the signalling processes and their contribution to the development of cancer. Knows and understands the function of the most important tumor suppressor genes, the causes of their inactivation. Knows the most important steps in the process of tumor genetics (immortalization, uncontrolled cell cycle, heterotypical signalling, invasion, metastasis formation, "evolution" of tumor cells). Is aware of the immunological processes that act against and support tumor cells. Understands the mechanisms of action of various cancer therapies and the possible paths to the development of resistance. Ability: Based on his/her acquired knowledge, (s)he is able to use scientific arguments when discussing tumor biology. Able to make plans for solving complex tumor biology problems that require a wide variety of methodological approaches. Able to express him/herself professionally in the field of cancer research and medicine, both verbally and in writing. Through the acquired knowledge, (s)he understands the process of cancer diagnosis and medicine, and the nature of personalized medicine. Attitude: Learns the genetics, cell biology, biochemistry and immunology of cancer by building on the knowledge acquired during previous studies. Strives to integrate knowledge in the field of tumor biology into biological knowledge. Open to scientifically sound knowledge. Is aware of the problems individuals and society faces related to tumorigenesis and cancer therapy, and the ethical problems that arise. Autonomy and responsibility: Competent in processing the literature of tumor biology, collecting and processing data. Can independently identify and progress tumor biology problems, and to prepare related materials and presentations. Through the acquired knowledge spanning several disciplines, (s)he can pass on knowledge to novices in a responsible manner.
- Course content
- The aim of the course is to get to know in detail the genetic and cell biological changes that accompany the formation of tumors, to learn the possible causes of cancer and the biology of metastasis formation. To learn about therapeutic options through selected examples Main topics of the course: The origin of tumors, tumor progression. Basics of pathology. The concepts of normoplasia, hyperplasia, dysplasia, metaplasia and neoplasia, benign and malignant tumors, their characteristics. The process of malignant transformation: disorder of cell growth (cell cycle) and differentiation. Properties of the transformed cell. Classification of tumors by origin. Epidemiological studies, the role of lifestyle in cancer incidence. Carcinogenic agents, mutations, mutagenicity tests. Discovery of tumor viruses, Rous sarcoma virus, SV40. Tumorigenity tests. Rapidly and slowly transforming retroviruses, viral and cellular oncogenes, protooncogenic activation pathways. Discovery of Ras, oncogenic mutations, effectors: activation of MAPK, PI3K/Akt and Ral pathways. Cell adhesion, integrin signaling. Overview of GPCR, Jak/STAT, Wnt/beta-catenin, NFkappaB, Notch, Hedgehog/Patched signal transduction. Metabolic changes that accompany cell proliferation: the Warburg effect. The cancer phenotype is recessive at the cellular level, but dominant at the level of the individual: the discovery of Rb. The second event after the first mutation is usually loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Haploinsufficiency. The function of NF1, APC, VHL tumor suppressors. Regulation the cell cycle by pRb: checkpoints, cyclins and CDKs. The role of Myc in the cell cycle and differentiation. P53 and its role in regulating the cell cycle, DNA damage repair, angiogenesis and apoptosis. Senescence and the role of telomeres. BFB cycles during crisis, karyotypic chaos. Alternative pathways in tumor progression. Selection and clonal expansion: similarities and differences compared to Darwinian evolution. Tumor stem cells, clonal diversification. The evolution of cancer, oncogenic collaboration. Non-mutagenic carcinogens: promotor mechanism of action. DNA damage repair pathways. Genome instability and tumor progression. Heterotypical signaling, similarities between wound healing and tumor formation: EMT, angiogenesis, inflammation. Steps of local invasion and metastasis. Primary tumors and metastasis tropism. Osteolytic and osteoblastic breast cancer metastases. The role of professional APC (macrophages, dendritic cells), NK cells and T cells in cancer biology. The relationship between immunosuppression and cancer, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor-associated macrophages. Tumor (neo)antigens, tumor immune-evasion. Monoclonal antibodies: herceptin, rituxan and their mechanisms of action. Adoptive cell transfer. The relationship between cancer incidence and mortality. Chemotherapy and mitotic catastrophy. Inhibition of hyperactive signaling in tumor cells: the therapeutic significance of Gleevec. Problems: evolution of resistance, P-glycoprotein, tumor stem cells.
- Assessment method
- k5 = exam mark (5) (1 failed, 5 excellent) The form is a Moodle exam (solving a series of multiple-choice tests online)
- Bibliography
- Shared presentations (PDF) Robert Weinberg: The Biology of Cancer (English language textbook)