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 baseLectures will be conducted in an interactive format, with continuous student engagement to allow real-time assessment of understanding of the topics covered. In addition to traditional teaching methods, active learning approaches such as the flipped classroom will occasionally be adopted, based on the guided reading and discussion of selected scientific articles. The slides used during the lectures will be made available on the DIR teaching platform. A mandatory journal club presentation of scientific articles is scheduled to take place during the last two lessons of the course. This activity, to be carried out individually or in small groups, aims to develop critical thinking, presentation skills, and the ability to analyze scientific data. During the first lessons of the course, the scientific articles to be discussed will be selected. The presentation will be graded on a scale from 0 to 3, which will be added to the grade of 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.

The final exam consists of two mandatory components: a written test and a journal club presentation. 1) Written test: The student will be asked to answer three open-ended questions covering all topics discussed throughout the course. Evaluation will be based on the student’s in-depth understanding of the subject, accurate use of scientific terminology, critical thinking skills, and ability to present content clearly. 2) Journal club presentation: This activity, which is mandatory and an integral part of the final exam, involves the presentation and discussion of a selected scientific article. It will be scheduled during the last two sessions of the course. The presentation will be awarded a score from 0 to 3 points, which will be added to the grade of the written test. Special attention will be given to the clarity of the presentation, the ability to synthesize and critically interpret the content, and the student’s engagement in the group discussion.

1) Neoplastic Growth and Cancer Biology: - General characteristics of neoplasms: definition and classification of tumors; principles of oncological nomenclature; overview of incidence, mortality, and survival in major human cancers. - Cellular and molecular features of neoplastic transformation: alterations in the cell cycle; loss of control over cellular proliferation and differentiation; mechanisms of apoptosis evasion; metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells; activation of oncogenes (both cellular and viral); inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. - The carcinogenesis process: initiation, promotion, and progression; molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in each stage. - Etiology of human neoplasms: genetic predisposition factors; chromosomal alterations and epigenetic modifications; carcinogenesis induced by physical agents (e.g., ionizing radiation, UV), chemical agents (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrosamines), and biological agents (e.g., oncogenic viruses, bacteria). - Tumor angiogenesis: molecular regulation of neovascularization and its role in tumor expansion. - Metastasis: cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the metastatic process, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), systemic dissemination, and colonization of target organs. - Role of cancer stem cells in tumor maintenance, recurrence, and resistance to immune responses. 2) Tumor Immunology: - Role of the immune system in antitumor response: the concept of tumor immunogenicity and immune recognition of transformed cells; classification of tumor antigens; tumor immunosurveillance; immune evasion mechanisms employed by tumor cells (e.g., antigen loss, expression of immunosuppressive molecules, modulation of the tumor microenvironment); cancer immunoediting: phases of elimination, equilibrium, and escape. - Tumor microenvironment (TME): definition and cellular/molecular composition; functional role of the TME in tumor progression; prognostic and predictive significance; methodological approaches for TME analysis (e.g., immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, omics technologies, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics). - Role of tumor-associated myeloid cells in tumor development, prognosis, and therapy response; therapeutic strategies targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). 3) Oncological Immunotherapy Strategies: - Monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy: antibodies targeting specific tumor antigens (e.g., HER2, CD20); immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1/PD-L1) to restore cytotoxic immune responses. - Adoptive cell therapies: CAR-T cells (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells): biological rationale, clinical applications, current challenges (toxicity, relapse, treatment of solid tumors). - Cancer vaccination: Prophylactic vaccines (e.g., anti-HPV, anti-HBV) for the prevention of virus-related cancers; Therapeutic vaccines: rationale and types (peptide-based, dendritic cell-based, mRNA-based); limitations and future perspectives.

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.