Therapeutic Targets in Oncology

Code:

OPT75

Acronym:

ATTO

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	23	Mestrado Integrado em Medicina- Plano oficial 2013 (Reforma Curricular)	4	-	3	26	81

Teaching language

Alvos Terapêuticos em Oncologia

Objectives

Within this UCO, some clinical cases will be discussed as a framework to present novel molecular markers used as therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. The intention is to discuss how these biomarkers modified the actual clinical practice in medical oncology.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end, the students should be able to:
1. Know some molecular markers involved in the acquisition of invasive and metastatic capacity by tumor cells, which are used in the clinical practice as therapeutic targets
2. Recognize the diagnostic tests for the identification of these tumor biomarkers
3. Describe the importance of these biomarkers to design a therapeutic strategy, highlighting their relevance to stratify patients and to define the therapeutic protocol
4. Know the pharmacological agents prescribed to inhibit the function of these biological markers, being aware of the acquisition of therapy resistance mechanisms
5. Discuss the importance of research in the identification of new therapeutic targets

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Cancer Hallmarks: the main characteristics from tumor cells
2. Pharmacologic inhibitors to B-RAF for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and thyroid cancer
3. Pharmacologic inhibitors to EGFR and ALK for lung cancer treatment
4. Pharmacologic inhibitors to ER for breast cancer treatment
5. Pharmacologic inhibitors to HER2/neu for breast cancer treatment
6. Pharmacologic inhibitors to PARP for breast and ovary cancer treatment
7. Pharmacologic inhibitors to PDL1 for gastric cancer treatment
8. Pharmacologic inhibitors to BCR/ABL for chronic myeloid leukemia
9. Pharmacologic inhibitors to VEGF for colon cancer treatment
10. Clinical Trials: from the lab to the clinical application

Mandatory literature

Bellmunt J et al. ; Pembrolizumab as Second-Line Therapy for Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma, 2017
Finn RS et al. ; Palbociclib and Letrozole in Advanced Breast Cancer, 2016
Hochhaus A et al. ; Long-Term Outcomes of Imatinib Treatment for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, 2017
Mirza MR et al. ; Niraparib Maintenance Therapy in PlatinumSensitive, Recurrent Ovarian Cancer, 2016
Mok TS et al. ; Osimertinib or Platinum–Pemetrexed in EGFR T790M–Positive Lung Cancer. , 2016
Ravau A et al. ; Adjuvant Sunitinib in High-Risk Renal-Cell Carcinoma after Nephrectomy, 2016

Teaching methods and learning activities

The lectures, as well as the discussion of specific case reports and tumour models, are intended to provide the necessary knowledge regarding some tumour biomarkers, which are actually used as therapeutic targets in the clinical practice in oncology. These lectures and case reports will be presented by professors/researchers specialized in oncobiology, pathologists and oncologists, which will allow the establishment of a connection between addressed concepts, research and clinical practice.
The presentation of scientific articles will allow students to discuss the topics addressed along the UC and to evaluate their ability to integrate the acquired knowledge, to interpret results and to formulate their own critical opinion.

Type of evaluation: Presentation and discussion of scientific articles previously provided and accounting for 25% of the final classification.
Written examination (2 hours): test with multiple-choice questions and open questions with short answer, accounting for 75% of the final classification.
The classification will be express in a scale from 0 to 20, according to both evaluation criteria.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	25,00
Exame	75,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	4,00
Estudo autónomo	55,00
Frequência das aulas	22,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Terms of frequency: The students have to assist to at least 75% of the total classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Formula Evaluation: Final grade= 0,25*articles presentation grade+0,75*final exam grade (from 0 to 20)