Infection and Cancer

Code:

OPT17

Acronym:

IC14

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Medicine

Instance: 2020/2021 - 2S (of 08-02-2021 to 31-07-2021)

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	15	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

Plummer M, de Martel C, Vignat J, Ferlay J, Bray F, Franceschi S; Global burden of cancers attributable to infections in 2012: a synthetic analysis. Lancet Global Health 4: e609-16, 2016.
Newton R, de Martel C; Infectious agents – Missed opportunities for prevention. World Cancer Report: Cancer Research for Cancer Prevention. Wild CP, Weiderpass E, Stewart BW (Eds). International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. pp 61-67, 2000.
Shanmugam MK, Kumar AP, Sethi G; Inflammation – Playing a pivotal role in cancer pathogenesis. World Cancer Report: Cancer Research for Cancer Prevention Wild CP, Weiderpass E, Stewart BW (Eds). International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. pp 181-188, 2000.
Zeller G; The microbiome – Its influence on tumorigenesis and therapy. World Cancer Report: Cancer Research for Cancer Prevention. Wild CP, Weiderpass E, Stewart BW (Eds). International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. pp 221-228, 2000.
Varon C, Mégraud F; Stomach cancer – Still one of the main cancer types worldwide. World Cancer Report: Cancer Research for Cancer Prevention. Wild CP, Weiderpass E, Stewart BW (Eds). International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. pp 333-343, 2000.
Chen CJ; Liver cancer – An infectious disease for many communities. World Cancer Report: Cancer Research for Cancer Prevention. Wild CP, Weiderpass E, Stewart BW (Eds). International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. pp 355-366, 2000.
Chirenje ZM, Guzha BT; Cervical cancer – Successes in some communities to be extended worldwide. World Cancer Report: Cancer Research for Cancer Prevention. Wild CP, Weiderpass E, Stewart BW (Eds). International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France. pp 394-402, 2000.

Complementary Bibliography

Rajagopala SV, Vashee S, Oldfield LM, Suzuki Y, Venter JC, Telenti A, Nelson KE; The Human Microbiome and Cancer. Cancer Prev Res 10(4):226-234, 2017
Vineis P, Wild CP; Global cancer patterns: causes and prevention. Lancet 383(9916): 549-57, 2014

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

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	26,50
Frequência das aulas	14,00
Total:	40,50

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.