PRECISION ONCOLOGY

Course objectives

General expected learning outcomes The course is aimed to provide knowledge concerning the main molecular mechanisms implied in the pathogenesis of cancer, in order to give the theoretical basis for the development of new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic procedures in oncology. Specific expected learning outcomes 1. Knowledge and understanding During the course the student will acquire knowledge about causes and pathogenic mechanisms of cancer, specifically referring to genetic and epigenetic alterations, altered pathways in cancer, therapeutic targets and molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer therapy. This knowledge will be applied in the development of new targeted therapies in cancer. A further objective of the course is to equip the figure of the graduate in CTF with the basic theoretical tools for the understanding of clinical trials in oncology, of the research methodology, of the national legislation that governs its management . 2. Applying knowledge and understanding The knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in cancer progression will make the student: -able to link the alterations at the molecular level with the identification of new therapeutic targets - possessing the appropriate skills to carry out both activities within the NHS's local pharmaceutical services and research activities; - capable of independent judgment with reference to the evaluation, interpretation and reprocessing of literature data; - able to elaborate in a critical and autonomous way original ideas in a biomedical research context; - able to communicate the acquired information to specialists and non-specialists in the field of oncology. 3. Making judgements The student will be able to independently collect and interpret data derived from scientific studies in oncology by reading scientific articles in English as well as to communicate information and knowledge to specialists in the field of oncology. The student will also be able to critically and autonomously elaborate original ideas in a clinical research context and to interpret and formulate judgments on current clinical trials in oncology. 4. Communication skills The modality of interactive lessons with seminars held by specialists in oncology (from diagnostics to therapy) will allow students to stimulate their critical and communicative skills. In the view of transformation of pharma companies, with the exponential growth of molecularly targeted drugs, a thorough knowledge of precision medicine in oncology will be extremely useful . 5. Learning skills In the age of precision medicine the student will become aware of how indispensable for professional purposes is a continuous updating in a field, such as oncology, in which innovation in the pharmacological research it is in continuous evolution, with the development of always new targeted agents in the view of a more and more precise personalization of the treatments in oncology.

Channel 1
LUCIA DI MARCOTULLIO Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The nature of cancer Hallmarks of cancer: alterations of physiological processes, oncogenes, and tumorsuppressors Viral oncogenes Signaling pathways in the support of proliferative potential Cancer heterogeneity. Cancer stem cell Cancer clonal evolution. The molecular basis of drug resistance in oncology. Brain tumors: research aspects in Molecular Oncology Colon cancer, KRAS Breast cancer, HER2, BRCA1/2, triple negative Melanoma, BRAF/MEK inhibitors in metastatic melanoma Lung cancer, EGFR, ALK translocations, gene fusions, PD-L1 Targeted therapy
Prerequisites
Knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. To properly understand the course, it is recommended to have attended the general pathology and biochemistry courses.
Books
Elementi di Oncologia Molecolare (Pascale-Feo) PICCIN Elementi di Patologia Generale e Fisiopatologia generale (Pontieri) PICCIN Further, the teaching material consists of scientific articles that will be made available to the student during the course. Supplementaries deemed necessary will be conveyed through scientific articles, previously illustrated during the lectures, made available to students.
Frequency
The attendance is not mandatory.
Exam mode
Written and oral presentation
Bibliography
Scientific literature recommended during lessons
Lesson mode
The course is based on traditional face-to-face lectures lasting two to four hours each.
LUCIA DI MARCOTULLIO Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The nature of cancer Hallmarks of cancer: alterations of physiological processes, oncogenes, and tumorsuppressors Viral oncogenes Signaling pathways in the support of proliferative potential Cancer heterogeneity. Cancer stem cell Cancer clonal evolution. The molecular basis of drug resistance in oncology. Brain tumors: research aspects in Molecular Oncology Colon cancer, KRAS Breast cancer, HER2, BRCA1/2, triple negative Melanoma, BRAF/MEK inhibitors in metastatic melanoma Lung cancer, EGFR, ALK translocations, gene fusions, PD-L1 Targeted therapy
Prerequisites
Knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. To properly understand the course, it is recommended to have attended the general pathology and biochemistry courses.
Books
Elementi di Oncologia Molecolare (Pascale-Feo) PICCIN Elementi di Patologia Generale e Fisiopatologia generale (Pontieri) PICCIN Further, the teaching material consists of scientific articles that will be made available to the student during the course. Supplementaries deemed necessary will be conveyed through scientific articles, previously illustrated during the lectures, made available to students.
Frequency
The attendance is not mandatory.
Exam mode
Written and oral presentation
Bibliography
Scientific literature recommended during lessons
Lesson mode
The course is based on traditional face-to-face lectures lasting two to four hours each.
SONIA CONI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The nature of cancer Hallmarks of cancer: alterations of physiological processes, oncogenes, and tumorsuppressors Viral oncogenes Signaling pathways in the support of proliferative potential Cancer heterogeneity. Cancer stem cell Cancer clonal evolution. The molecular basis of drug resistance in oncology. Brain tumors: research aspects in Molecular Oncology Colon cancer, KRAS Breast cancer, HER2, BRCA1/2, triple negative Melanoma, BRAF/MEK inhibitors in metastatic melanoma Lung cancer, EGFR, ALK translocations, gene fusions, PD-L1 Targeted therapy
Prerequisites
Knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. To properly understand the course, it is recommended to have attended the general pathology and biochemistry courses.
Books
The teaching material consists of scientific articles that will be made available to the student during the course Suggested Books: Elements of Molecular Oncology (Pascale-Feo) PICCIN Elements of General Pathology and General Pathophysiology (Pontieri) PICCIN
Frequency
attendance is recommended
Exam mode
Written and oral presentation
Lesson mode
Classroom teaching
SONIA CONI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The nature of cancer Hallmarks of cancer: alterations of physiological processes, oncogenes, and tumorsuppressors Viral oncogenes Signaling pathways in the support of proliferative potential Cancer heterogeneity. Cancer stem cell Cancer clonal evolution. The molecular basis of drug resistance in oncology. Brain tumors: research aspects in Molecular Oncology Colon cancer, KRAS Breast cancer, HER2, BRCA1/2, triple negative Melanoma, BRAF/MEK inhibitors in metastatic melanoma Lung cancer, EGFR, ALK translocations, gene fusions, PD-L1 Targeted therapy
Prerequisites
Knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. To properly understand the course, it is recommended to have attended the general pathology and biochemistry courses.
Books
The teaching material consists of scientific articles that will be made available to the student during the course Suggested Books: Elements of Molecular Oncology (Pascale-Feo) PICCIN Elements of General Pathology and General Pathophysiology (Pontieri) PICCIN
Frequency
attendance is recommended
Exam mode
Written and oral presentation
Lesson mode
Classroom teaching
  • Lesson code10612246
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseIndustrial pharmacy REPLICA LATINA
  • CurriculumCurriculum unico
  • Year5th year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDMED/46
  • CFU6