8 ECTS credits
220 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4002188ENR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Enrolling in ‘Molecular Targets in Cancer Cells’ means that you simultaneously take ‘Ziekteprocessen: moleculaire en cellulaire basis’ or have successfully passed ‘Ziekteprocessen: moleculaire en cellulaire basis’ OR (voor de studenten die instromen vanuit het verkort Bachelor BMLT traject geldt :) Enrolling in ‘Molecular Targets in Cancer Cells’ means that you simultaneously ‘Algemene pathologie’ or have successfully passed ‘Algemene pathologie’ OF ingeschreven in de educatieve master OF ingeschreven in de master Biology
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
Department
Clinical sciences
Educational team
Ivan Van Riet
Jo Van Ginderachter
Lore Decoster (course titular)
Philippe Giron
Activities and contact hours
50 contact hours Lecture
80 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The course has two main segments:

1. Clinical context of cancer by prof dr Lore Decoster

This part will discuss the development of cancer out of a normal cell and characteristics of the malignant phenotype. Hallmarks of precancer and cancer will be discussed. In addition, different therapeutic options will be discussed including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies. For each section, mechanisms of action as well as mechanisms of resistance will be discussed. In addition questions for future research will be highlighted. 

2. Different aspects of cancer research by different professors

This part is 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. The 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) Different cancer genes (oncogenes and tumor supressor genes) as well as mutations in cancer genes. The signal transduction pathways in malignant cells are discussed. The development of targeted therapies against the product of cancer genes including monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and antibody drug conjugates are covered. 

b) Invasion and metastasis as an essential characteristic of the malignant phenotype

c) The genetic cancer syndromes are discussed with regard to their mechanisms residing in cancer predisposing genes and the impact at the clinical level. 

d) Role of the immune system and the defects in immune surveillance. Immunotherapy will be discussed including resistance and new immunotherapy strategies 

e) 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.

f) 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.

g) Research in radiotherapy

Additional info

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

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

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.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 50% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Content of lectures with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: 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)

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Articles with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: 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.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The exam is an oral exam and has two parts: lectures and articles. The weight of the exam is equally partitioned over these two parts.  

  1. Content of lectures. 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. During the oral exam different keywords from different lectures will be discussed by the student. 
  2. Articles: The students receive different articles including reviews and research articles. These articles are connected to the subject discussed in the course. The students choose one review and one research article for their exam. At the oral exam, the students discuss this article by presenting the essentials of the article and discussing critically the content. The students should also be able to think about possible further research on this topic.  

 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biomedical Sciences: Management and Business (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biomedical Sciences: Clinical Biomedical Sciences (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences
Master of Biomedical Research: Standaard traject
Master of Teaching in Health Sciences: standaard traject (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)