Ateneo - UPO

The Oncology module covers the biological and molecular principles underlying cancer development and progression, with particular emphasis on mechanisms of carcinogenesis, the biology of metastasis, and hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes. The module also addresses the pharmacological principles of the main anticancer treatments and the mechanisms of primary and acquired resistance.

Part of the module is devoted to precision oncology and the use of biomarkers in clinical practice and research, including liquid biopsy, prognostic and predictive genomic assays, and biomarker integration into clinical trials. The module also introduces the fundamental principles of phase III clinical trial design and statistical analysis.

slides and scientific papers presented during classes, whcih will be made availables on upo dir

The Oncology module aims to provide students with an integrated understanding of the main biological and molecular mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis, tumor progression, and metastatic dissemination. Particular emphasis will be placed on the pharmacological principles of anticancer therapies, mechanisms of treatment resistance, and the molecular basis of hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes.

The module also aims to develop students’ ability to understand and interpret the role of biomarkers in precision oncology, from liquid biopsy and prognostic and predictive genomic assays to their integration into clinical trials. Students will also acquire the fundamental principles of phase III clinical trial design and analysis and of the critical appraisal of scientific evidence in oncology.

molecular biology

fontal lessons, clinical cases discussions, group projects

NA

3 open statements

Oncology

- Principles of carcinogenesis, including the **two-hit hypothesis** and the **endosymbiosis disruption hypothesis**
- Biology of tumor progression and metastatic dissemination
- Principles of pharmacology of the main anticancer treatments, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and antibody-drug conjugates
- Molecular mechanisms of primary and acquired resistance to anticancer therapies
- Hereditary cancer syndromes and their molecular basis
- Integration of molecular and genomic biomarkers into clinical decision-making and clinical trials
- Liquid biopsy and circulating biomarkers in oncology
- Prognostic and predictive genomic assays
- Principles of design and statistical methodology of phase III clinical trials
- Role of Omics technologies in precision oncology, biomarker discovery, patient stratification, and treatment selection

## Learning Objectives

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

- Describe the main molecular mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis and tumor progression.
- Understand the biological processes involved in tumor invasion and metastatic dissemination.
- Describe the pharmacological principles of the main classes of anticancer agents and the major mechanisms of primary and acquired resistance.
- Understand the molecular basis of the main hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes.
- Explain the role of prognostic and predictive biomarkers in precision oncology and treatment selection.
- Understand the principles, potential applications, and limitations of liquid biopsy in oncology.
- Describe the main clinical applications of prognostic and predictive genomic assays.
- Understand how molecular and genomic biomarkers are integrated into clinical trials.
- Describe the fundamental principles of phase III clinical trial design and statistical analysis.
- Critically interpret preclinical and clinical data related to biomarker development and novel therapeutic strategies in oncology.