The course will provide knowledge on cancer stems in leukaemia and solid tumours, the role of the tumour microenvironment in sustaining the disease and promoting disease progression. Tumour invasion, metastasis and cancer metabolism will be studied in-depth. This course will highlight the complexities of cancer and the challenges cancer clinicians face in treating patients. Teaching methods will consist of lectures, journal clubs and tutorials.

Teaching takes place over 5 weeks in semester 1 with students attending lectures and tutorials.

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1. Critically review a scientific manuscript (2000 words) (75% weighting) - ILOs 1 & 2

2. Oral group presentation (15mins) on a current treatment approach (25% weighting) - ILOs 3 & 4

It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.

[No exceptions]

This course aims to provide students with detail knowledge on how tumours are influenced by altered cell signalling, the tumour microenvironment and changes in cellular metabolism. It will explore how these processes contribute to treatment resistance, genetic instability and ultimately to disease progression.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically discuss with reference to the primary literature, the role of stem cells, microenvironment and metabolism in cancer evolution.

2. Evaluate and discuss the challenges faced when preventing disease progression.

3. Communicate and work effectively within a group of colleagues to deliver a set task.

4. Prepare and deliver effective oral presentations to a scientific audience.

5. Critically review scientific literature and demonstrate the ability to interpret and critique results.