Ateneo - UPO

Basic knowledge of the pathogenetic and etiological mechanisms underlying neoplastic transformation. Analysis of the cellular and molecular pathways underlying functional relationship between inflammation and cancer and the role of the immune system in oncology. Discussion of new cancer immunotherapy approaches, tumor microenvironment and the most innovative prognostic and therapeutic targets

• Immunologia Cellulare e molecolare, 10^ edizione. Autori: Abul Abbas Andrew H. Lichtman Shiv Pillai.
• Fondamenti di Patologia e di FIsiopatologia, 9^ edizione. Autori: Robbins, Kumar, Abbas, Aster
• Selected scientific papers published by top ranking journals on the topic
• The slides of the lectures and additional material such as scientific publications will be available to students.

Knowledge etiological and pathological mechanisms guiding neoplastic transformation. Understanding the role of the immune system in oncology and knowledge key molecular mechanisms underlying functional relationship between inflammation and cancer. Knowledge and understanding the targets of innovative biotechnological drugs in current clinical use and under study for the treatment of cancers. Applying knowledge and understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer immunotherapies to address new potential therapeutic targets and develop new biotechnological drugs.
Gain independence of judgment on the different topics addressed during the course, logically linking concepts and knowledge together. Gain skills regarding the verbal and written communication by the use of specific scientific and technical language.

Basic knowledge of cell and molecular biology and immunology

Lectures based on continuous teacher-student interaction that will allow immediate verification of the understanding of the topics. Lectures as well as interactive flipped classroom methods based on journal club discussion. The lecture slides will be available to students on DIR platform.

There is also a mandatory journal club discussion of a scientific article, in groups or individually. The presentation will be evaluated with a score from 0 to 3 which will be added to the written exam.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Written exam will consist of three open questions aimed at assessing the understanding of the topic, the use of the specific scientific language, the making judgements and the communication skills. The score (from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 3) obtained by the student for the journal club will be added to the written exam

- Neoplastic transformation: general characteristics of tumors (incidence, mortality and survival; classification and nomenclature); concepts of hyperplasia, neoplasia, anaplasia and dysplasia. Distinctive cellular and molecular traits of cancer (modification of the cell cycle and mechanisms involved in the loss of control of cell differentiation and proliferation, mechanisms of resistance to apoptosis, alterations in metabolism, viral and cellular oncogenes, alterations in the expression of tumor suppressor genes , genomic instability). The carcinogenesis process: mono and polyclonal origin of tumors; the stages of carcinogenesis: initiation, promotion, progression. Etiological factors of human tumors (genetic factors of predisposition to tumors, chromosomal and epigenetic modifications, carcinogenesis from physical agents, from chemical agents, from microorganisms). Tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.

Role of the immune system in oncology (Immunogenicity of tumors, classification of tumor antigens, immunosurveillance, cancer immunoediting, cancer stem cells)

Description of the tumor microenvironment and its prognostic and clinical significance (immunoscore, tumor mutational burden TMB). Approaches used to study the tumor microenvironment. Mechanisms underlying the functional relationship between inflammation and cancer.

Role of tumor associated myeloid cells on tumor development, prognosis and response to therapies. Approaches targeting tumor associated macrophages (TAM) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC)

Immunotherapy strategies in oncology: approaches based on antibodies directed against cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment, approaches based on adoptive cell transfer (CAR-T cells), approaches of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination.

In keeping with the Dublin Descriptors
D1- KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The student will demonstrate that he has learned and understood the pathogenetic and etiological mechanisms underlying the neoplastic transformation, the role of the immune system in oncology and the molecules targeted by the innovative biotechnological drugs used for the treatment of cancers. The student will acquire the specific scientific terminology.
D2- APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student will gain the ability to apply the acquired knowledge in order to 1) understand the role of immune system during tumor progression, 2) understand the therapeutic effects of innovative biotechnological drugs used in oncology 3) identify new potential therapeutic targets 3) define new therapeutic approaches directed towards specific molecular / cellular targets.
D3- MAKING JUDGEMENTS The student will gain knowledge to read the literature independently and critically.
D4- COMUNICATION SKILLS The student will demonstrate that he has acquired the specific scientific terminology to discuss the acquired knowledge both in the academic and industrial fields. The student will develop the ability to disseminate the acquired knowledge in a clear and understandable way even to an audience of non-experts
D5- LEARNING SKILLS The student will be able to examine and interpret scientific texts, so as to go beyond what has been taught, facing and solving new challenges.