Cancer and Radiobiology
Code: 42942 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Cytogenetics and Reproductive Biology | OT | 0 |
Contact
- Name:
- Anna Genesca Garrigosa
- Email:
- anna.genesca@uab.cat
Teachers
- Anna Genesca Garrigosa
- Montserrat Solanas Garcia
- Joan Francesc Barquinero Estruch
- Laura Tusell Padros
- Teresa Anglada Pons
- Irmgard Costa Trachsel
- Irene Fernandez Duran
- Marta Martin Flix
- Jordi Camps Polo
- Raquel Moral Cabrera
- Itziar Salaverria Frigola
- Maria Terradas Ill
- (External) Adriŕ López Fernández (assessor genčtic Hospital Vall d'Hebron i Institut d'Oncologia)
- (External) Alfons Modolell (Institut d'Oncologia)
- (External) Beatriz Bellosillo
- (External) Imma Méndez (Parc Taulí)
- (External) Josep Roma (vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca)
- (External) Margarita Ortega (Vall d'Hebron Institut d'Oncologia)
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
There are not
Objectives and Contextualisation
- To recognize cytogenomic alterations related to specific cancer types and to understand their importance for diagnosis and prognostics.
- To explain the molecular bases of breast cancer, including genetic, epigenetic, and hormonal changes, as well as the influence of environmental factors.
- To know the biological effects of ionizing radiation interaction with DNA.
Competences
- Apply the basic tools of statistical analysis in cytogenetics and reproductive biology.
- Apply the scientific method and critical reasoning to problem solving.
- Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously.
- Design experiments, analyse data and interpret findings.
- Identify and take into account the genetic, epigenetic and hormonal changes involved in the development of cancer in pursuit of a correct diagnosis and prognosis (Specialisation in Cytogenetics).
- Integrate knowledge and use it to make judgements in complex situations, with incomplete information, while keeping in mind social and ethical responsibilities.
- Interpret, resolve and report on clinical cases or scientific findings in the area of the master's degree.
- Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
- Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
- Use and manage bibliography or ICT resources in the master's programme, in one's first language and in English.
- Use creative, organisational and analytic skills when taking decisions.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply the scientific method and critical reasoning to problem solving.
- Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously.
- Describe the importance of chromosomal and molecule alterations in the diagnosis of certain cancers and their prognosis factor.
- Design experiments, analyse data and interpret findings.
- Explain the biological effects of the interaction of ionising radiations with DNA.
- Integrate knowledge and use it to make judgements in complex situations, with incomplete information, while keeping in mind social and ethical responsibilities.
- Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
- Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
- Use and manage bibliography or ICT resources in the master's programme, in one's first language and in English.
- Use creative, organisational and analytic skills when taking decisions.
- Use statistical methods to estimate, through biological methods, the dose of exposure to ionising radiation.
- Write articles or report scientific findings in the area of cancer or radiobiology.
Content
Part 1: Cancer Genetics: Solid Tumors
The unstable genome of the tumor cell. Cancer genomics. Patterns of intratumoral heterogeneity. Cancer treatment in the era of personalized medicine. Detection of changes in the genome of tumour cells and identification of the genetic cause in families with hereditary cancer syndromes. Noninvasive genetic diagnosis of solid tumors.
Part 2: Cancer Genetics: Hematologic Neoplasms
Genetics and cytogenetics of haematological neoplasms: acute leukaemias, chronic leukaemias and lymphomas. Detection of genetic and cytogenetic changes in hematological malignancies.
Part 3: Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer: The Breast Cancer Model
Cancer and the molecular mechanisms involved: breast cancer. Embryology, morphology and physiology of the normal breast and changes in breast cancer. Genetic and epigenetic factors. Endocrine factors and mechanisms of hormonal action. Environmental factors and lifestyle. Clinical bases of breast pathology, metastasis. Biological prognostic factors. Hereditary breast cancer and prevention.
Part 4: Radiobiology
Biological dosimetry (chromosomal alterations and analysis techniques, dosimetric curves, partial irradiation). Radiation-induced genetic instability. Modulating factors of radiosensitivity. Aging and radiosensitivity.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Master classes | 40 | 1.6 | 1, 4, 6, 8, 7, 9, 10 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Homework presentation and scientific articles discussion | 17 | 0.68 | 1, 5, 11, 13, 2, 7, 3, 10, 12 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Scientific papers reading and study | 82 | 3.28 | 7, 3, 10 |
The teaching methodology will consist of:
1.- Theoretical lessons.
2.- Classroom practices
3.- Discussion of scientific papers. Students must have read the papers beforehand to discuss them in class.
4.- Presentation of assignments
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance and active participation | 10% | 3 | 0.12 | 1, 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, 8, 2, 7, 3, 9, 10, 12 |
| Examination | 27% | 4 | 0.16 | 4, 6, 8, 2, 9, 10 |
| Homework presentation | 63% | 4 | 0.16 | 1, 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, 8, 2, 7, 3, 9, 10, 12 |
To pass the subject, a minimum mark of 5 out of 10 is required. The final grade will be obtained by taking the weighted average of the different tests according to the weight of the teaching in each lesson. This weight will be maintained for the establishment of the final score, considering that attendance and active participation represents 10% of the final grade of each subject. The evaluation will consist of different types of tests: exams, preparation, and presentation of assignments and/or the resolution of problems and questions.
The students that did not pass, have the opportunity of a retake that will consist of a written exam, where the three topics will be weighted in a balanced way. To participate in the retake, the students must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities whose weight equals a minimum of two-thirds of the total grade of the subject or module. Therefore, students will obtain the "No Evaluable" qualification when the assessment activities carried out have a weight less than 67% in the final mark.
Bibliography
- Alaggio R, Amador C, Anagnostopoulos I, Attygalle AD, Araujo IBO, Berti E, Bhagat G, Borges AM, Boyer D, Calaminici M, Chadburn A, Chan JKC, Cheuk W, Chng WJ, Choi JK, Chuang SS, Coupland SE, Czader M, Dave SS, de Jong D, Du MQ, Elenitoba-Johnson KS, Ferry J, Geyer J, Gratzinger D, Guitart J, Gujral S, Harris M, Harrison CJ, Hartmann S, Hochhaus A, Jansen PM, Karube K, Kempf W, Khoury J, Kimura H, Klapper W, Kovach AE, Kumar S, Lazar AJ, Lazzi S, Leoncini L, Leung N, Leventaki V, Li XQ, Lim MS, Liu WP, Louissaint A Jr, Marcogliese A, Medeiros LJ, Michal M, Miranda RN, Mitteldorf C, Montes-Moreno S, Morice W, Nardi V, Naresh KN, Natkunam Y, Ng SB, Oschlies I, Ott G, Parrens M, Pulitzer M, Rajkumar SV, Rawstron AC, Rech K, Rosenwald A, Said J, Sarkozy C, Sayed S, Saygin C, Schuh A, Sewell W, Siebert R, Sohani AR, Tooze R, Traverse-Glehen A, Vega F, Vergier B, Wechalekar AD, Wood B, Xerri L, Xiao W. The 5th edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Haematolymphoid Tumours: Lymphoid Neoplasms. Leukemia. 2022 Jul;36(7):1720-1748. doi: 10.1038/s41375-022-01620-2. Epub 2022 Jun 22. Erratum in: Leukemia. 2023 Sep;37(9):1944-1951. doi: 10.1038/s41375-023-01962-5. PMID: 35732829; PMCID: PMC9214472.
- Andersson AK et al (2015). The landscape of somatic mutations in infant MLL-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemias. Nature genetics 47(4): 330-337
- Arber DA etal. 2016). The 2016 revision to the World Health Organization classification of myeloid neoplasms and acute leukemia. Blood (127(20): 2391-405
- Arber DA etal. (2017) Initial diagnostic workup of acute leukemia: guideline from the college of American pathologists and the American society of hematology. Arch Pathol Lab Med 141(10) 1342-93
- Crasta K, Ganem NJ, Dagher R, Lantermann AB, Ivanova EV, Pan Y, Nezi L, Protopopov A, Chowdhury D,Pellman D. DNA breaks and chromosome pulverization from errors in mitosis. Nature. 2012 Jan 18;482(7383):53-8.
- Croce CM (2008). Molecular origins of cancer: Oncogenes and cancer. N Engl J Med. 358(5):502-11.
- Chiang AC, Massagué J (2008). Molecular basis of metastasis. N Engl J Med. 359(26):2814-23.
- Cytogenetic Dosimetry. Applications in preparedness for and response to radiation emergencies.EPR-Biodosimetry. IAEA, Vienna 2011.
- DePinho RA. The age of cancer. Nature. 2000 Nov 9;408(6809):248-54.
- Díaz-Chico B.N., Navarro D., Díaz Chico J.C., Escrich E.. Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators. A New Brand of Multitarget Drugs, págs. 3-47. En: Molecular mechanisms of estrogen acting in target tissues. Editores: A. Cano, J. Calaf, J.L. Dueñas. Ed. Springer-Verlag 2006.
- Sharma S, Kelly TK, Jones PA (2009). Epigenetics in Cancer. Carcinogenesis. 2009 Sep 13.
- Stingl J, Caldas C (2007). Molecular heterogeneity of breast carcinomas and the cancer stem cell hypothesis.Nat Rev Cancer. 7(10):791-9.
- Russo IH, Russo J (1998). Role of hormones in mammary cancer initiation and progression. JMammaryGland Biol Neoplasia. 3(1):49-61.
- Escrich E, Solanas M, Moral R (2006). Olive oil, and other dietary lipids, in cancer: experimental approachesIn Quiles JL, Ramirez-Tortosa MC, Yaqoob P (eds.) Olive Oil and Health. CAB International, Oxfordshire, pp.317-374.
- Heim S & Mitelman Eds.(2015). Chromosomal and Molecular Genetic aberration of tumor cells. Wiley-Blackwell. Four Edition
- Hunger SP. & Mulligan CG (2015). Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children. N Engl J Med 373;16
- Khoury JD, Solary E, Abla O, Akkari Y, Alaggio R, Apperley JF, Bejar R, Berti E, Busque L, Chan JKC, Chen W, Chen X, Chng WJ, Choi JK, Colmenero I, Coupland SE, Cross NCP, De Jong D, Elghetany MT, Takahashi E, Emile JF, Ferry J, Fogelstrand L, Fontenay M, Germing U, Gujral S, Haferlach T, Harrison C, Hodge JC, Hu S, Jansen JH, Kanagal-Shamanna R, Kantarjian HM, Kratz CP, Li XQ,Lim MS, Loeb K, Loghavi S, Marcogliese A, Meshinchi S, Michaels P, Naresh KN, Natkunam Y, Nejati R, Ott G, Padron E, Patel KP, Patkar N, Picarsic J, Platzbecker U, Roberts I, Schuh A, Sewell W, Siebert R, Tembhare P, Tyner J, Verstovsek S, Wang W, Wood B, Xiao W, Yeung C, Hochhaus A. The 5th edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Haematolymphoid Tumours: Myeloid and Histiocytic/Dendritic Neoplasms. Leukemia. 2022 Jul;36(7):1703-1719. doi: 10.1038/s41375-022-01613-1. Epub 2022 Jun 22. PMID: 35732831; PMCID: PMC9252913.
- Moral R, Escrich E. Epigenética en cáncer de mama. Págs. 20-28. . En “Factores pronósticos y predictivos en cáncer de mama. Una visión evolutiva de la morfología a la genética”. Edita: Fundación Española de Senología y Patología Mamaria. Depósito Legal: V-2186-2017.
- Nergadze SG, Santagostino MA, Salzano A, Mondello C, Giulotto E. Contribution of telomerase RNAretrotranscription to DNA double-strand break repair during mammalian genome evolution. Genome Biol. 2007;8(12):R260.
- Pui, Ching-Hon, ed (2012). Childhood leukemias [Recurs electrònic] / Cambridge University Press, cop,3rd ed.
- Radiobiology for the radiologist. E.J. Hall i A.J. Giaccia. Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Sixth Edition, 2006.
- Sachs R & Brenner D.Chromosome aberrations produced by ionizing radiation: Quantitative studies. NCBIbooks. http://web.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=mono_002
- Sedelnikova OA, Horikawa I, Redon C, Nakamura A, Zimonjic DB, Popescu NC, Bonner WM. Delayed kinetics of DNA double-strand break processing in normal and pathological aging. Aging Cell. 2008 Jan;7(1):89-100.
Software
Web-based CNApp and MUSICA tools
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAULm) Classroom practices (master) | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLABm) Practical laboratories (master) | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |