Nursing REPLICA V-ASL VITERBO

Course Contents • Gene mutations and genomic alterations. The process of tumor transformation: multiphase process, monoclonality, tumor heterogeneity. Classes of genes important in tumor transformation: oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cyclins, proofreader genes, genes inducing apoptosis and cell survival. Genetic cooperation for tumor transformation. The double- and single-hit theory. Examples of genes involved in tumor transformation: p53 and RB. Characteristics of the tumor cell: blockade of contact growth inhibition, morphological characteristics, mitotic index, nuclear-cytoplasmic inversion. Benign and malignant tumors: characteristics. Invasiveness and metastasis. Neoangiogenesis. Staging system: TNM. • Innate and acquired immune response. Antigen-presenting cells: macrophages and dendritic cells. Effectors of the innate response: NK cells and adaptive response: T and B lymphocytes. Overview of antigen recognition mediated by T and B lymphocytes: TCR/HLA-peptide complex and antibody. The antitumor immune response: the 3E theory or immunoediting. The phases of elimination, equilibrium, escape, or immunosuppression. • Antitumor therapeutic strategies: Surgery (role, purpose, and types); Radiotherapy (principles and administration methods, combination with surgery or chemotherapy); Medical therapy: chemotherapy (classes of chemotherapy and mechanisms of action, alkylating agents, antimitotics, antimetabolites, platinum analogs, anticancer antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors); hormone therapy (mechanisms of action and types of therapy); targeted therapies (outline); • Immunotherapy: active and passive. Use of monoclonal antibodies in therapy (e.g., trastuzumab and bevacizumab). Adoptive T-cell immunotherapy: TILs, CIKs, and CARs, overview. Vaccination strategy: peptide administration and administration of modified dendritic cells.

General Pathology, Pontieri, Piccin General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Pontieri, Piccin Lecture notes.

Scientific articles indicated by the instructor