Medicine and Surgery

Activity type

Patologia generale e molecolare, immunopatologia, fisiopatologia generale, microbiologia e parassitologia

SSD

MED/04

Year

3rd year

Semester

1st semester

CFU

6

Hours distribution

75 classroom hours

Lecturers

GIANLUCA CANETTIERI
MARIA PIA FELLI
ENRICO DE SMAELE

Activity type

Tirocini formativi e di orientamento

SSD

MED/03

Year

3rd year

Semester

1st semester

CFU

1

Hours distribution

25 training hours

Lecturers

GIANLUCA CANETTIERI

Activity type

Formazione clinica interdisciplinare e medicina basata sulle evidenze

SSD

MED/46

Year

3rd year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

1

Hours distribution

13 classroom hours

Lecturers

ENRICO DE SMAELE

Activity type

Formazione clinica interdisciplinare e medicina basata sulle evidenze

SSD

MED/05

Year

3rd year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

1

Hours distribution

13 classroom hours

Lecturers

GIUSEPPE GIANNINI

Activity type

Formazione clinica interdisciplinare e medicina basata sulle evidenze

SSD

MED/13

Year

3rd year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

1

Hours distribution

13 classroom hours

Lecturers

ELISABETTA FERRETTI

Activity type

Patologia generale e molecolare, immunopatologia, fisiopatologia generale, microbiologia e parassitologia

SSD

MED/04

Year

3rd year

Semester

2nd semester

CFU

7

Hours distribution

88 classroom hours

Lecturers

GIANLUCA CANETTIERI
GIUSEPPE GIANNINI
MARIA PIA FELLI
ELISABETTA FERRETTI

The course is meant to provide the fundamental understanding of the molecular basis of human diseases. By the end of the course, the student must:
- Know the etiology and the pathogenic mechanisms of human diseases, and the fundamental pathophysiological mechanisms concerning the main organs and systems.
- Be able to analyze and to interpret the fundamental etiopathogenic and pathophysiological mechanisms of human diseases.
- Be aware that being able to analyze and interpret the fundamental etiopathogenic and pathophysiological mechanisms will be essential for a correct clinical approach to human diseases.

MED/04
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, the student will have to:
- Know the molecular mechanisms involved in human cancer development and progression. Know the pathophysiology of metabolism, including atherogenesis and atherosclerosis, and the pathophysiology of major systems.
- Be able to discuss the molecular mechanisms of human cancer, and of the general pathophysiology of metabolism and the pathophysiology of major systems.
- Be aware that being able to analyze and interpret the molecular mechanisms of human cancer and the general pathophysiology of metabolism and of major systems will be essential for a correct clinical approach to diseases.

MED/05
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, the student will have to:
- Know the molecular mechanisms involved in human cancer development and progression.
- Know the most relevant laboratory approaches to cancer molecular genetics.

MED/13
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, the student will have to:
- Know the pathophysiology of metabolism and the pathophysiology of major systems.
- Be able to discuss the general pathophysiology of metabolism and the pathophysiology of major systems.
- Be aware that being able to analyze and interpret the molecular mechanisms of the general pathophysiology of metabolism and of major systems will be essential for a correct clinical approach to diseases.

MED/46
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, the student will have to:
- Understand the mechanisms of tumorigenesis induced by physical and chemical agents, and experimental methods for the evaluation of the mutagenic potential of chemical and physical agents. Knowing how to choose which methodological approach is more rational based on the type of agent to be analyzed.
- Deepen the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of smoking and alcohol-induced tumorigenesis.
- know the pathogenetic mechanisms of cancer associated with the alteration of the mechanisms of apoptosis, and the methodological approaches for the evaluation of apoptosis. Acquire awareness of the complexity and relevance of the mechanisms of deregulation of apoptosis and of the consequences of these alterations on therapeutic approaches. To know the main antiapoptotic mechanisms used by oncogenic viruses.

The course is meant to provide the fundamental understanding of the molecular basis of human diseases. By the end of the course, the student must:
▪ Know the etiology and the pathogenic mechanisms of human diseases, and the fundamental pathophysiological mechanisms concerning the main organs and systems.
▪ Be able to analyze and to interpret the fundamental etiopathogenic and pathophysiological mechanisms of human diseases.
▪ Be aware that being able to analyze and interpret the fundamental etiopathogenic and pathophysiological mechanisms will be essential for a correct clinical approach to human diseases.

basic knowledge of biochemistry, biology and genetics, human histology and embryology, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology is required.
For requested preparatory exams refer to the course regulation.

GENERAL PATHOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY I (first semester)

• Introduction to General pathology. Main concepts on health, pathological processes and disease. Etiology and pathogenesis. Evolution, course and outcomes of the disease.
• General etiology: Environmental pathology. Pathology by physical and chemical agents. Biological agents of disease. Non-hereditary congenital pathology. Teratogenesis.
• Genetic disorders and epigenetics: The major chromosomal and gene disorders, mendelian diseases (autosomal dominant and recessive, X-Liked disorders), gene therapy, epigenetic alterations and diseases. Genetics and multifactorial diseases.
• Molecular Pathology: Molecular pathology of proteins. Hemoglobinopathies. Pathology by enzyme deficiencies. Molecular pathology of the plasma membrane: receptors, channels, transduction mechanisms. Molecular pathology of mitochondria.
• Pathology of cell structures: the cell's response to injury: cellular stress, cellular adaptations (hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, metaplasia), intracellular storage diseases (steatosis, lysosomal diseases). Molecular mechanisms of cellular damage. Cell death: necrosis and apoptosis. Renewal, regeneration and tissue repair. Growth factors. Aging.
• Disorders of the extracellular matrix: Beta-fibrillosis. Local and systemic fibrosis. Collagen and other basal membrane component diseases.

• Inflammation: The basics of inflammation, acute and chronic inflammation, angiophlogosis and hystophlogosis. Innate immunity and inflammation. Inflammatory cells. Chemical mediators of inflammation of cellular and plasma origins. Acute inflammation: the vascular phenomena of inflammation, the mechanisms of formation of exudate, the various types of exudative inflammation. Chronic inflammation: mechanisms of granuloma formation. Foreign-body granulomas. Immunological granulomas. Systemic manifestations of inflammation: acute phase proteins, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and leukocytosis. Pathophysiology of thermoregulation: hyperthermia, hypothermia, fever. Tissue repair and granulation tissue. Pathological aspects of wound healing: keloids, scars.


GENERAL PATHOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY I (second semester)

• Oncology
Cell/Tissue phenotypic changes: metaplasia, dysplasia, anaplasia and precancerous lesions. Definition of cancer. Morphological and biochemical features of the neoplastic cell. Histogenetic classification of tumors. Clinical criteria for the classification of tumors: grading and staging. Pathophysiology of replication and of cell differentiation and growth factors. Physical, chemical, viral and hormonal carcinogenesis. Stages of the neoplastic process: initiation, promotion and progression (invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis). Oncogenes and their activation mechanisms. Tumor suppressor genes. Genomic instability. Developmental pathways and cancer. Hereditary tumors. Epigenetics and cancer. Cancer metabolism. Stem cells and cancer stem cells. Immunity, inflammation and cancer. Biological basis of target antineoplastic therapy.

• General Pathophysiology
General pathophysiology of the endocrine system. Pathophysiology of hypothalamic–pituitary system. Pathophysiology of the thyroid gland. Pathophysiology of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN). Pathophysiology of the adrenal gland. Pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus.
General pathophysiology of the fluid and electrolyte replacement and acid-base balance.
General pathophysiology of blood, blood-forming organs and haemostasis.
General pathophysiology of renal, respiratory, digestive, cardiocirculatory systems.

1. Pathologic Basis of Disease. Robbins & Cotran. Editor: W B Saunders Co
2. Understanding pathophysiology. S. Huether, K. McCance. Elsevier
3. Cells, Tissues and Disease. Principles of general pathology. G. Majno, I. Joris. Oxford University Press.
4. Rubin’s Pathology. Clinicopathologic foundation of medicine. Rubin & Straier. Lippincott Raven; 6 Har/Psc,.

Updated bibliography, appropriate to the topics covered, will be communicated during the lessons.

The course takes place with interactive lectures in which students are required to participate asking questions on the topics discussed during the lesson.

Compulsory attendance

The exam consists of an oral discussion of topics covered during the lessons in order to assess the student's understanding of the course content and critical thinking skills.

Chemical mediators of inflammation
Lysosomal Disorders
Cell death mechanisms
Molecular pathology of mitochondria
Viral Carcinogenesis
Tumor Metabolism
Pathophysiology of Type 2 Diabetes
Pathophysiology of bilirubin Metabolism

• Presentation of the course and lectures of the first semester (october 2025-january 2026). Introduction to general pathology


• General eziology - Environmental Pathology (3 lectures)


• Genetic pathology (3 lectures)


• Molecular pathology (4 lectures)


• Cell Pathology (4 lectures)


• Disorders of the extracellular matrix


• Inflammation (3 lectures)


• Chronic inflammation and tissue repair


• Pathophysiology of thermoregulation


• Regeneration, renewal and repair


• Cell and tissue Aging


• Presentation of  second semester lectures.(march-may 2026). 


• Oncology: Preneoplastic lesions. Tumor classifications


• Oncology: Physical and chemical cancerogenesis


• Oncology: Cancer molecular pathology: oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes


• Oncology: Cancer molecular pathology: Proliferation/Cell cycle and cancer


• Oncology: Apoptosis and cancer


• Oncology: Viruses and cancer


• Oncology: Developmental pathways and cancer


• Oncology: DNA Damage and Cancer


• Oncology: Hereditary tumors


• Oncology: Telomeres maintenance and cancer


• Oncology: Tumor progression by invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis 


• Oncology: Cancer and immunity


• Oncology: Cancer metabolism


• General pathophysiology of the endocrine system (3 lectures)


• Obesity, Lipid metabolism, Atherogenesis and atherosclerosis. 


• Main Organ e system Pathophysiology (4 lectures)