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Description
This module provides an introduction to the molecular basis of cancer and the use of this knowledge in rational drug design. The topics covered in this module include: What is cancer? How are cancer cells different from normal cells? Cancer as a multi-step genetic disease with sequential mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes driving different features of the cancer phenotype and contributing to the multiple stages of tumour development. These topics will be covered, including the role of DNA damage and repair pathways, the different types of mutations that can promote cancer, the role of the tumour microenvironment, angiogenesis and immune system in cancer development. Molecular pathways underlying the cancer phenotype. Although there are hundreds of distinct type of cancers depending on the cell type of origin, there is only a relatively small number of common biochemical processes underlying the cancer phenotype. The biochemical control of the cell cycle and cell survival and the main signaling pathways that control proliferation of normal cells (and that are deregulated in cancer cells) will be covered. Cancer treatment - surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are still the work horses of cancer treatment. However a better understanding of the molecular features driving different cancers types allows for the development of rational therapies, using for example antibodies or small molecules to target individual proteins driving tumour growth or to harness the immune system to help eliminate cancer cells. These lectures will help provide a base to topics covered in more depth in other modules.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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