84429 - Cancer Biology

Learning outcomes

Describe the tumor phenotype, the etiology and pathogenesis of cancer, including interactions with the microenvironment and the immune system, and the progression to metastatic spread. Describe the biological and molecular mechanisms of physical, chemical and biological carcinogenesis. Define the principles of tumor classification, grading, and staging. Outline the principles of cancer epidemiology, and assess the relevance of risk factors.

Course contents

• Introduction to Cancer Biology: definition, classification, and terminology.
• Epidemiology and risk factors of cancer.
• Oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes.
• Hereditary tumors.
• Tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution. Cancer stem cells.
• Hallmarks of cancer: angiogenesis, tumor microenvironment, immune evasion, metastasis, cancer metabolism, replicative immortality.
• Mechanisms of carcinogenesis: physical, chemical, biological.
• Cancer prevention: primary and secondary prevention, chemoprevention.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture slides

Recommended texts:

• Weinberg The Biology of Cancer, Second Edition.
• P-L Lollini – Cellular and molecular oncology (open access book available in Virtuale website)

  Consultation:

• Pardi e Di Fiore, Patogenesi. Ed. Piccin
• R G.M. Pontieri, Patologia generale e fisiopatologia generale. Vol. 1, VI edizione (2018) ed. Piccin
• Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease 9th edition
• Rubin’s Pathology 7th, Wolters Kluwer ed

Teaching methods

Lectures supported by PowerPoint slides and reading material. Slides and reading materials will be available on "virtuale.unibo.it".

Attendance to learning activities is mandatory; the minimum attendance requirement to be admitted to the final exam is 60% of lessons. For Integrated Courses (IC), the 60% attendance requirement refers to the total amount of I.C. lessons. Students who fail to meet the minimum attendance requirement will not be admitted to the final exam of the course, and will have to attend relevant classes again during the next academic year.

Assessment methods

Student learning will be assessed at the end of the Integrated Course.

The final examination for the Integrated Course Neoplasia as Disease Model consists of three parts:

Microscopic examination

Histopathology

Oral examination

Cancer Biology

Clinical Psychology

Surgery

Radiotherapy

Written examination

Medical Oncology (23 multiple-choice questions)

Oncological Pharmacology (8 multiple-choice questions)

The written examination consists of 31 multiple-choice questions, each with four possible answers and one correct answer. Each correct answer is worth 1 point. No penalty is applied for incorrect answers. The duration of the written examination is 30 minutes.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD), temporary or permanent disabilities, or other special educational needs are invited to contact the dedicated University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti) as early as possible so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged. Requests must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days before the examination date. The instructor will evaluate the requested accommodations, taking into account the learning objectives of the course.

Final grades will be published on AlmaEsami within five days of the examination. In the event of failure or grade refusal, students may retake the examination at the first available examination session.

Teaching tools

Materials available on Virtuale platform

Office hours

See the website of Manuela Ferracin