Cancer Biology and Therapeutics

This module examines the cellular and molecular changes that underlie cancer initiation and growth. It delivers a contemporary analysis of genomics and epigenetics and of the mechanisms that drive changes in cell proliferation, growth inhibition, cell death, cell cycle regulation, DNA damage and repair and cell metabolism. Through lectures, tutorials and team building activities, students will learn how changes in cancer cell biology can be exploited for cancer treatment using precision medicine and personalised targeted therapy approaches.

This module will cover the principles underlying Cancer Epidemiology and generate a critical understanding of the distribution patterns of cancer, predisposition to cancer, prediction of susceptibility and current research. Through lectures, tutorials, class discussions and problem solving workshops we will examine measures of disease burden, impact of cancer from a public health perspective, genetic and environmental predisposition, biomarkers in risk prediction, prognostication and tailoring of treatment, understanding descriptive and analytical methods in cancer research, research methods, ethics and research governance. Assessment will be through a referenced written seen exam and an essay which will look to confirm understanding of core concepts and critical awareness of cancer epidemiology

The module will evaluate the presentation and treatment of cancer from a number of perspectives. Through lectures, tutorials and class discussions we will examine modern oncology practices, such as multi-disciplinary team working, genetic screening in diagnosis, randomised clinical trials, and possible future approaches to tumour ablation, and particular attention will be paid to the diagnosis and treatment of the main cancers. The students will be given the novel opportunity to look at clinical cancer research and therapy through the eyes of survivors of the disease. Assessment will be through a referenced written seen exam and a blog post which will look to confirm critical understanding of cancer diagnosis and treatment practices.

This module builds on the knowledge of the cellular and molecular basis of cancer to demonstrate the importance of the tumour microenvironment, and to relate it to understanding mechanisms of tumour growth, metastasis and latest therapeutic developments. Through lectures, tutorials and workshops from expert scientists and clinicians, students will examine how tumour-stroma interactions, tumour microbiome, immunology, mechanisms of metastasis and cancer stem cells affect tumour growth, progression, evasion of the immune system and therapy resistance. Throughout the module, students will evaluate how this knowledge can be exploited for development of novel cancer therapies.

The aim of this module is to develop a critical understanding of mainstream and developing technologies currently used in preclinical and clinical cancer research. Classical tumour biology, proteomic and in vivo methodologies will be explored, in addition to biomarker/drug discovery, pre-clinical imaging and patient cancer trials. Advantages and limitations of each experimental approach will be discussed and how these may lead to identification and validation of novel cancer targets and drug treatments or the refinement of established cancer therapies. The core module consists of lectures, tutorials and group work, followed by an option choice of either the Home Office Licence course or a Cancer Bioinformatics/Modelling course.

Option 1 - Home Office Licence Induction Course: Biological and Veterinary Services

This will introduce the principles, legislation and practical approaches to in vivo experimentation. The course will assess specific knowledge related to regulated in vivo experimentation by a multiple choice examination. Specific procedural elements will be assessed by practical examination to demonstrate an individuals' ability. Students must reach a level which will, in the future, allow application for a Home Office personal licence (PIL) to undertake regulated procedures, although this is NOT one of the outcomes of the course.

Option 2 - Introduction to Bioinformatics: Mark Dunning and Michelle Lawson

This option will introduce students both conceptually and practically to the possibility and challenges in bioinformatics. Bioinformatics covers a range of methodologies to manage and interpret very highly dimensional data, for example from genomics, microarray, pretomics or metabolomics, all of which are widely used in Oncology. The course will provide a taught section on bioinformatics, a detailed series of workshops showcasing how RNASeq data-analysis workflows are undertaken and an assessed mini-project in which students gain practical experience of analysing and interpreting real-life data sets.

This unit aims to develop abilities in information retrieval from appropriate sources, reference management, synthesis and critical analysis of published literature. Academics provide new titles each year to address unmet need for an original review, an updated review or questioning a paradigm in the wider literature, for a special themed edition of a journal. Submissions will be formatted as a review paper according to author guidelines for a chosen journal. Students will receive workshop training in information literacy and supervisor tutoring in the development of their review.