Course

Unit 1: The Development and Causes of Cancer

Overview of cancer; multistep nature of cancer development; genetic, chemical, and environmental causes; hallmarks of cancer; types and classification of tumors.

Unit 2: Tumor Viruses, Oncogenes, and Tumor Suppressor Genes

Viral oncogenesis; mechanisms of transformation by DNA and RNA tumor viruses; proto-oncogenes and oncogene activation; tumor suppressor genes (p53, Rb, APC, BRCA1/2).

Unit 3: Cell Cycle Control, Apoptosis, and Telomere Biology

Regulation of cell cycle and checkpoints; dysregulation in cancer; apoptosis pathways and their inhibition; telomeres, telomerase, and cellular immortalization.

Unit 4: Cancer Stem Cells, Angiogenesis, and Metastasis

Concept of cancer stem cells; mechanisms of angiogenesis; tumor microenvironment; metastasis cascade; EMT and invasion.

Unit 5: Cancer Epigenetics, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics

Epigenetic regulation in cancer; molecular diagnostics (biomarkers, PCR, sequencing, imaging); cancer genomics and personalized therapy; immunotherapy; prevention and risk assessment.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

This course covers in details the molecular mechanism of cancer development with emphasis on tumor viruses, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cell cycle and its control and other hallmarks of cancer. It also covers the molecular approaches to cancer diagnostics and treatment. More recent advances in cancer stem cells and cancer epigenetics are also discussed

COURSE OUTCOMES:

After the successful completion of the course, the students shall be able to

CO1: Describe the different hallmarks of cancer.

CO2: Explain the role of oncogenes and tumor suppressors during the development of cancer

CO3: Understand the dysregulation of apoptosis and cell cycle in cancer

CO4: Demonstrate the factors regulating angiogenesis and metastasis

CO5: Compare molecular approaches to cancer diagnostics and treatment.

CO6: Analyse data published in scientific journal articles and present cancer biology articles from reputed journals

REFERENCES:

1. The Biology of Cancer, 2^nd Edition, Robert A. Weinberg
2. Molecular Biology of the Cell. Alberts B. et al., (2022) 7^th Garland Science.
3. The Cell: A Molecular Approach, 8^th Edition, Geoffrey M. Cooper (2018).
4. Journal papers: reviews and research articles