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Cancer: Cause to Cure is based around the grand challenges still faced by cancer researchers and clinicians. Whilst the hallmark of all cancers is continuous and excessive cell division, at the molecular, cellular and tissue level cancer is extremely complex with more than 200 different types. Over the last decades significant progress has been made in our understanding of cancer biology, which has directed early prevention, improved outcomes using existing treatments and novel approaches. The structure of the module is to link fundamental understanding of what causes cancer to strategies for the prevention and treatment of cancer in the clinic.

The module is research-led with teaching delivered by leading cancer researchers working at the forefront of basic, translational and clinical cancer research. The module uses a ‘Grand Rounds’ model in which 4x short series of 3 lectures are used to present the ‘bench to bedside’ picture of particular areas of cancer research presenting the newest insights into cancer biology and treatment approaches. Each ‘Grand Rounds’ topic is supported by an associated workshop in which students can review and interrogate the material.

There will be four ‘Grand Rounds’ of three lectures on the following topics:

1) Cell cycle control and genome instability in cancer

2) Cancer cell state and tumour heterogeneity

3) The tumour microenvironment and metastasis

4) Cancer immunotherapy

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Each series of lectures will introduce the fundamental cancer biology relating to the topic and then explore state-of the art cancer research in the same area through to translational projects and clinical directions.

Workshops will be used to support the lecture material and:

1) Introduce students to reading and interpreting primary research papers

2) Provide a practical understanding of data analysis

3) Develop scientific writing skills

Aims of the Module:

• To provide students with a current and comprehensive understanding of cancer as a disease, its cause, detection, and treatment with teaching delivered by leading cancer scientists and clinicians.
• To expose students to current and future cancer research aimed at drug discovery and development and treatment strategies.
• To provide students with insight into the processes required for the successful transition from basic science to clinical disease management of a wide range of cancers.

To help students keep up with current findings, exercise their critical thinking skills, and improve their presentation and debate abilities via exposure to primary literature.Learning

Outcomes:

By the end of the module students will have acquired a unique skill set and will be expected to be able to:

1. Understand and describe the complex causes of cancer and how this can direct treatment.
2. Appreciate the advantages and limitations of screening/diagnosis and current treatment options.
3. Critically evaluate the scientific literature.
4. Interpret data and design experiments.
5. Write about science, communicating key fundamental ideas for different audiences.

ÌýModule Organizer:ÌýDr Sophie Acton;ÌýSecondary Module Organizer:ÌýProf. Rob de Bruin.Ìý Third module Organizer: Dr Julie Pitcher.