Cipher: 2612
Nomenclature: Combination of therapies and mechanisms in the treatment of malignant diseases
Study programme: Molecular biosciences
Module: Biomedicine
Case holder:

The headline doc.dr.sc. Peter Ozretić, zn. associate
Izv.prof.dr.sc. Lidija Beketić Orešković
Institution of the case holder:

(PO) Ruđer Bošković Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine
(LB) Kbc Sisters of Mercy Zagreb
Contributors - Contractors:
Subject status: Electoral College
The year in which the case is submitted: Year I
The semester in which the case is submitted: Semester II
Subject objective:

To know the latest basic and clinical research and their application in the treatment of malignant diseases.
Case contents:

Molecular basis of malignant transformation, the role of oncogenes and tumors
suppressive genes. In vitro models. The basic principles of the action of radiotherapy. Clinical application of radiobiology. Types of cytostatics and mechanisms of clinical action. Mechanisms of interaction between radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Clinical significance of the mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Undesirable effects of combined chemo-radiotherapy treatment. The most commonly used clinical protocols of combined treatment of malignant diseases.
Learning outcomes: competences, knowledge, skills that the subject develops:

1. Explain the basic genetic and protein roles of key genes/ proteins in the functioning of the organism.
2. Identify the molecular aspects of regulation and possible intervention.
3. Analyse possible methods and their use in research into the effects of medicinal products..
4. Propose research on the development of the disease based on relevant data from professional and scientific literature in the field of molecular physiology of cell/organism functioning.
5. Propose a solution to the observed problems and situations in the working environment related to the combination of therapies in the treatment of malignant diseases.
ECTS Credits 4
Lectures 5
Seminars (IS) 5
Exercises (E) 10
Altogether 20
The way of teaching and acquiring knowledge:

regular attendance
Ways of teaching and acquiring knowledge: (notes)
Monitoring and evaluating students (mark in fat printing only relevant categories) Attendance, Teaching activities
Rating method: Viva voce
Mandatory literature:

1. Shamia, Vrdoljak, Krajina : Clinical Oncology, Medical Publishing Zagreb 2006; and chapters Cancer Biology p. 11-45, Molecular Diagnostics p. 92-98, Chemotherapy p. 130-145, Hormone Therapy str152-161, Gene Treatment of Tumors str172-176
2. Skeel RT and Khleif SN: Biological and pharmacological basis of cancer chemotherapy. In: (Skeel RT ed.) Handbook of Cancer Chemotherapy. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2003; pp.3-26.
3. Steel GG: Combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy: principles. In: (Steel GG ed.) Basic Clinical Radiobiology. Edward Arnold, 2002; 184-194.
4. Stewart FA, Saunders MI: Combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy: clinical application and evaluation. In: (Steel GG ed.) Basic Clinical Radiobiology. Edward Arnold, 2002; 184-194.
Supplementary (recommended) literature:

The Cancer Genome Atlas Network 2012 Comprehensive molecular portraits of human breast tumours Nature 490:61;
de Castro DG, Clarke PA , Al-Lazikani B, Workman P 2013 Personalized Cancer Medicine: Molecular Diagnostics, Predictive Biomarkers, and Drug Resistance Clinical pharmacology & Therapeutics:93(3) 2013;

Hausser J, Zavolan M 2014 Identification and consequences of miRNA–target interactions — beyond repression of gene expression Nature Reviews Genetics 2014; doi:10.1038/nrg3765;
Helleday T, Eshtad S, Nik-Zainal S 2014 Mechanisms underlying mutational signatures in human cancers Nature Reviews Genetics doi:10.1038/nrg3729;
Rahman N 2014 Realizing the promise of cancer predisposition genes Nature 505:302.
How to monitor the quality and performance performance (evaluation):

For individual lectures – thematic units - verification of understanding of the information obtained, the method of presentation, etc.
Discussions with students and colleagues - survey upon completion of the course.
Tracking each student's progress.
Evaluation of performance by the head of studies and the joint expert committee of the institutions of the holders of the study. The success of the course will be evaluated annually by the joint expert committee of the Rudjer Boskovic Institute, the University of Dubrovnik and the University of Osijek."