Biochemical Pathways in Cancer Therapeutics

Catalog description

This is an advanced course that covers the biochemical mechanisms of action of major classes of common cancer therapeutics. The course will start with a review of fundamental cellular and biochemical mechanisms relevant to the initiation and progression of cancer. A common gastrointestinal cancer such as colon cancer, and a common hormone dependent cancer such as breast cancer, will be used as common threads during the rest of the course. The role of biomarker testing in disease prevention, cancer diagnosis, and specific treatment design will be discussed. The biochemical mechanisms of major classes of cancer therapeutics will be covered. Examples of current treatment approaches using chemotherapeutic agents, hormones, and immunotherapy will be used. Finally, emerging and developing new technologies and approaches in cancer screening and prevention, diagnosis, and treatment will be discussed. Offered as BIOC 353 and BIOC 453 . Prereq: Graduate student standing.