Ateneo - UPO

This course offers an in-depth description of pharmacological agents, focusing on their pharmacokinetic profiles, mechanisms of action, therapeutic applications, and toxicity. Students will explore specific classes of drugs used in various pathological contexts. For each pharmacological class, the rational basis for choosing one drug over others will be discussed, considering the individual characteristics of patients, side effects, relative and absolute contraindications, issues related to interactions with other drugs, and compliance. Through lectures and discussions, students will enhance their ability to evaluate pharmacological data and apply this knowledge in clinical settings.

S. Govoni, SM Spampinato, P Navarra - Farmacologia, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli, Seconda edizione F. Rossi, V. Cuomo, C. Riccardi – Farmacologia, Edizioni Minerva Medica, Ultima edizione H.P. Rang, M.M. Dale, J.M. Ritter, Farmacologia, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, ultima edizione

1) Equip students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to understand chemotherapies, and specifically immunotherapies, and their rational development. 2) Impart comprehensive knowledge about the main classes of active substances and the specific drugs available. 3) Offer robust training to evaluate new drugs that may emerge in the professional future of learners.

A drug is defined by its ability to modify a biological system, whether at the molecular, cellular, organ, or systemic level. To fully benefit from the course, students should therefore have a background in chemistry, biology, molecular biology, general pathology, immunology, and physiology.

Face-to-face lectures will be accompanied by slides, which will be available to students on the dedicated IT platform (DIR). Although these lectures will cover the main topics of the program, they may not be comprehensive and are not intended to replace the textbook. Instead, the lessons aim to teach a methodological approach to pharmacological issues rather than just conveying factual knowledge.

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 exam will be conducted orally and will assess (i) knowledge acquired regarding drug classes, (ii) ability to correctly classify individual active substances into their respective pharmacological classes and describe their main distinctive features, (iii) ability to integrate arguments. Students will be required to describe one or more therapeutic classes, detailing the main active substances, mechanisms of action, uses, and side effects. They will also need to describe specific drugs. Grading criteria: Scores from 18 to 21: adequate knowledge of the covered topics, sufficient ability to address them comprehensively, and contextualize knowledge. Demonstrates sufficient ability to place individual active substances within their correct therapeutic use. Scores from 22 to 24: good knowledge of the covered topics, proficient ability to address them comprehensively, and contextualize knowledge effectively. Demonstrates good ability to place individual active substances within their correct therapeutic use. Scores from 25 to 27: very good knowledge of the covered topics, advanced ability to address them comprehensively, and contextualize knowledge adeptly. Demonstrates excellent ability to place individual active substances within their correct therapeutic use. Scores from 28 to 30: excellent knowledge of the covered topics, outstanding ability to address them comprehensively, and contextualize knowledge exceptionally well. Demonstrates exceptional ability to place individual active substances within their correct therapeutic use.

Brief introduction to tumour transformation mechanisms Immune system/tumour relationship Clinical applications of anti-tumour chemotherapies discussed in the chemistry module: * Drugs that act on nucleic acids: intercalating, topoisomerase poisons, alkylating, metalling, chain cutters * Drugs that act on tubulin * Drugs that act on enzymes (DHFR, thymidylate synthase, Adenine Deaminase, HGPRT, PARP, HDAC) * Anti-oestrogens and aromatase inhibitors * Kinase inhibitors (GFR, Cycline-dependent kinase and Bcr-Abl) * Miscellaneous: proteasome inhibitors, thalidomide and derivatives. Monoclonal antibodies and their immunotherapeutic properties: * ADCC * CDC * Immunological checkpoint inhibitors * Bispecific and T-Cell Engager * Three-specific * Examples in clinical use Cellular immunotherapeutics * LAK * Sipuleucel T * Car-T * CAR-NK Viral vaccines

Students will learn about the main anti-tumoral approaches, and more specifically immunotherapeutics, the specific drugs available, including their mechanisms of action, therapeutic applications and toxicities. Upon completing this course, students will also be able to evaluate the pharmacological profiles of new drugs that will emerge in the future.