Ampersand: The Biology of Cancer Part II

Cancer is poised to overtake heart disease as the number one cause of death in the United States and represents a significant burden to the U.S. health system. As such, a deeper understanding of the underlying biology of human cancers and their treatment modalities will be important for those pursuing a future in the health sciences. In this interactive 2nd-semester course, we continue our exploration of the "hallmarks of cancer," emphasizing the dysfunction of essential biological processes like cell proliferation, programmed cell death, energy metabolism, and immune surveillance. Classical diagnosis and treatment methods are compared with newer strategies, such as targeted and immune therapies. Finally, the growing role of personalized medicine and "omics" technologies in tumor classification, patient prognosis, and therapy are discussed. The course is a mix of lectures, student-led discussions/presentations, and activities. Lectures provide an overview of each topic, while activities and discussions of cutting-edge oncology topics in the news and primary literature familiarize students with current trends in cancer research/treatment as well as enhance reading and critical analysis skills. Students choose a specific type of cancer for further study and near the end of the semester prepare a presentation to the class on its molecular and cellular etiology, epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, and current/future treatment options.