Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Cancer Pharmacology
Code LIFE314
Coordinator Dr MJ Cross
Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology
M.J.Cross@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE206; LIFE207 Additional pre-requisites are either LIFE 231 OR LIFE 234 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 21
This refers to timetabled 1 hr lectures in which key concepts are explained
  2
This refers to a timetabled class-revision tutorial
      23
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 127
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  120  Semester 2  80  Yes    Written examination  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  PowerPoint presentat  Semester 2  20  Yes  Non-standard penalty applies  Presentation and critical evaluation of other talks Non-standard penalty applies for late submission, Not applicable because it is a presentation Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 2 will be an individual structured oral presentation (5mins) to a group of students based on analysing the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a named drug. Students will work on this individually (time given is approx. 2-3 weeks, usually over the Easter vacation) and it will be judged by Dr. Michael Cross and another academic researcher. Individual feedback will be provided to the students. 

Aims

To provide an explanation of current understanding of cancer development and progression and how this is exploited in the rational design of drugs to target cancer.

To explain to students the latest knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of anti-cancer drugs and the potential for side-effects, drug toxicity and drug-resistance.
 
To develop in students a critical understanding of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiv eness of modern cancer drugs.

Learning Outcomes

To evaluate the pathophysiological process of cancer development and progression

To critically evaluate the rationale for the design and mechanism of action of anti-cancer agents

To assess  the potential for toxicity and side-effects and drug resistance in anti-cancer drugs

To evaluate current ideas on the mechanisms of drug-resistance in cancer therapy

 

To critically evaluate scientific literature and clinical data regarding the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of anti-cancer therapy in patients

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - This refers to timetabled 1 hr lectures in which key concepts are explained

Tutorial - This refers to a timetabled class-revision tutorial

Syllabus
1 

1. Introduction to cancer: Hallmarks of cancer. The aetiology of cancer and cancer treatment. Cancer research careers.

2. The cell cycle and how cancer drugs target specific parts of the cell cycle.

3. Cancer chemotherapy and drug resistance.

4. Kinase inhibitors and cancer treatment.

5. Hormone regulated cancer: Oestrogen, Progesterone and Androgen receptors and drugs modulating these receptors.

6. Angiogenesis and tumour hypoxia and the development of anti-angiogenic drugs.

7. Cancer immunotherapy and the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.

8. Cancer drug toxicity.

9. Future cancer therapies and personalised medicine.

10. Cancer Clinical Trials.

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List:

Rang & Dale''s Pharmacology

Rang H, Dale M, Ritter J, Flower R & Henderson G. Churchill Livingstone, 2012.

Electronic book, 7th Edition

 

The Biology of Cancer

(2nd edition, Robert A. Weinberg, 2013, Garland Science)


Students will also be directed to current appropriate research articles.