Cancer, tumor, invasion, metastasis, diagnosis, therapy, follow-up, pain, registration and prevention

The course Cancer is built upon the following previous courses of the 3rd bachelor: Pathogenesis in humans (3031), Human genetics (3021) and Protein chemistry (3028), and on the courses of the 1st master: Laboratory animals II and I (3067 and 3068). The course on itself forms the base for the following courses of the 2nd master: New tests: development and validation (3113), Medical imaging (3114) and Genetic diagnostics (3115).
The couse aims at building up a cellular and molecular biology insight into the different aspects of cancer (psychological aspects not included). Close attention is paid to present and future target molecules for diagnosis, treatment, follow up and prevention.

The course includes the following aspects:-The activities of the cancer cell: growth, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis-Pain and cachexia of the patient-Hormones and cancer-Viral carcinogens-Histology of tumors-Carcinogenesis-Genetics and cancer-Impact of the human genome project on cancer research-Models in cancer research-Diagnosis of cancer-New technologies for the elucidation of signal transduction pathways-Pharmacogenomics and pharmacoproteomics-Tumor markers and follow-up of the cancer patient-Molecular basis of cancer-Therapies for cancer in the pharmaceutical pipe line-Prevention and detection-cancer registration.

Having successfully completed the courses General biochemistry, Biochemistry II, General Physiology, Molecular biology I, Molecular biology II, Cytology and general histology, Cell biology, Immunology, Protein chemistry, Human genetics and Human pathogenesis from the bachelor program biomedical sciences, or having acquired the relevant ending objectives by other means.

• Understanding the causes and mechanisms of the deregulated cancer cell activities.
• Indicating priorities in cancer research
• Understanding the principles of existing and future target molecules for cancer treatment
• Applying the techniques in cancer research in a creative way
• Approaching the scientific literature on cancer in a critical way
• Appreciating the relevance of new developments in cancer research
• Paying attention to the patient's complaints
• Applying an ethical code in experiments with laboratory animals
• Assessing the social impact of cancer prevention.

The following didactic material is available electronically at the Minerva site: -the illustrations of the lessons -English comments and legends to the illustrations -English review papers A print-out copy of the course costs 20 euros approximately

• Relevante recente overzichtsartikels in verband met de cursus kanker zijn onder electronische vorm beschikbaar via Minerva. De taal is Engels.
• Recent relevant review papers related to the course of cancer are available electronically on the Minerva site. Language: English

personally (on appointment)

Classroom lectures; ;

Evaluation during examination period

During examination period: written open-book exam; written closed-book exam