Infection and Cancer

Code:

OPT17

Acronym:

IC14

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Medicine

Instance: 2017/2018 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Departamento de Patologia
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master in Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIMED	21	Mestrado Integrado em Medicina- Plano oficial 2013 (Reforma Curricular)	2	-	1,5	14	40,5
			3

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

- To establish relationships between structural, biological and epidemiological features of cancer-associated infectious agents and the natural history of the infections;
- To distinguish the methods for detection and characterization of cancer-associated infectious agents;
- To compare the different types of cancer-associated infectious agents regarding their mechanisms of carcinogenesis;
- To describe the main epidemiological, clinical and pathological features of infection-associated cancers;
- To integrate epidemiological, experimental and clinical data that establish causal relationships between infectious agents and the respective cancers;
- To explain the contribution of the human microbiota to the pathogenesis of cancer;
- To discuss the potential of infection-associated cancers as targets for prevention and screening strategies and for early detection.

Learning outcomes and competences

- To establish relationships between structural, biological and epidemiological features of cancer-associated infectious agents and the natural history of the infections;
- To distinguish the methods for detection and characterization of cancer-associated infectious agents;
- To compare the different types of cancer-associated infectious agents regarding their mechanisms of carcinogenesis;
- To describe the main epidemiological, clinical and pathological features of infection-associated cancers;
- To integrate epidemiological, experimental and clinical data that establish causal relationships between infectious agents and the respective cancers;
- To explain the contribution of the human microbiota to the pathogenesis of cancer;
- To discuss the potential of infection-associated cancers as targets for prevention and screening strategies and for early detection.

Working method

Presencial

Program

I. Infectious agents (viruses, bacteria and parasites) as causes of cancer. Taxonomy, structure and biology. Epidemiology and natural history of infections. Methods for detection and characterization of infections.
II. Mechanisms of carcinogenesis of infectious agents. Viral oncoproteins, cellular targets and neoplastic transformation. Role of chronic inflammation induced by infectious agents in tumor initiation, promotion and progression.
III. Infection-associated cancers. Clinical and pathological features. Epidemiological studies of cancer in humans. Experimental models.
IV. Contributions of the human microbiota to cancer.
V. Prevention, screening and early detection of cancers caused by infectious agents.

Mandatory literature

de Martel C, Ferlay J, Franceschi S, Vignat J, Bray F, Forman D, Plummer M; Global burden of cancers attributable to infections in 2008: a review and synthetic analysis, 2012 (Lancet Oncology 13: 607-15)
Pagano JS, Blaser M, Buendia MA, Damania B, Khalili K, Raab-Traub N, Roizman B; Infectious agents and cancer: criteria for a causal relation, 2004 (Seminars in Cancer Biology 14: 453-71)
International Agency for Research on Cancer; Section 2 - Etiology of cancer. 2.5. Chronic infections, Boyle P, Levin B, 2008 (World Cancer Report pp. 128-135)
International Agency for Research on Cancer ; Section 4 - Acting for Prevention. 4.3 Vaccination, Boyle P, Levin B, 2008 (World Cancer Report pp. 274-279)
International Agency for Research on Cancer; Section 4 - Acting for Prevention. 4.5 Screening for Cervical Cancer, Boyle P, Levin B, 208 (World Cancer Report pp. 288-295)

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methodologies include theoretical lessons and seminars. Theoretical lessons comprise topics that will be further explored in seminars. Thematic seminars illustrate the state-of-the-art, complemented with examples of basic and applied investigation, allowing an integrative construction of knowledge.
Thematic seminars are followed by discussion with the students, encouraging student’s feed-back, stimulating critical thinking, and allowing the consolidation of the intended learning outcomes.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Evaluation consists of a final written exam, with multiple choice and short-answer questions. Evaluation is expressed in a scale of 0 to 20 values. A minimum of 10 values and the attendance of, at least, 75% of the sessions are necessary for approval.

Calculation formula of final grade

100% written exam.