Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Cancer Biology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Coordinator
Dra. Cristina MORETA - cmoreta@uic.es
Office hours
Questions will mainly be addressed during class. To resolve doubts outside class hours, please contact the course coordinator via email.
Introduction
After the acquisition of basic concepts in Cell and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, the subject of Cancer Biology is focused on the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of cancer, and how these can be explored from a therapeutic point of view. The subject is developed using a multidisciplinary approach, so that the student will be able to understand how these basic concepts translate into clinical practice, as well as the experimental models used to study cancer.
The subject on Cancer Biology contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, particularly to SDGs 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 and 17, by promoting health and well-being, fostering high-quality education and research, addressing gender differences in prevention and treatment, encouraging innovation in therapies and diagnostics, reducing inequalities in access to healthcare, and strengthening strategic partnerships for scientific and social progress.
Pre-course requirements
Basic knowledge of cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics.
Objectives
- To explain cancer cell deregulation at cellular and molecular levels.
- To give the knowledge of the role of mutations and environmental factors in cancer development.
- To inform about current pharmacological approaches and their mechanisms of action.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN08 - Explain the foundations of human behaviour and the biological bases that regulate them.
- CN09 - Recognise the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of a disease on the structure and function of the human body at a molecular, cellular and tissue level.
- CN10 - Indicate the mechanisms through which toxins affect the health of human beings at a biochemical, molecular and cellular level.
- CP02 - Apply scientific methodology to interpret practical or theoretical data by evaluating situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CP05 - Apply biological foundations in the search for practical solutions to health problems, following ethical standards and scientific rigour and respecting fundamental equal rights between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values inherent in a peaceful society of democratic values that includes inclusive, non-discriminatory language without stereotypes.
- HB04 - Interpret the mechanisms that govern a pathological state and its implications at a clinical and diagnostic level.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon completing the course, students should be able to:
- Distinguish the genetic basis of the tumor process and how it relates to individual metabolism and the immune system.
- Recall the basic concepts of the most prevalent tumors.
- Understand how some strategies used in cancer treatment work at the cellular/molecular level.
- Interpret the relationship between tumor heterogeneity and its capacity for invasion and metastasis.
- Recognize the main experimental models used in cancer research.
Syllabus
1.General Aspects of Cancer
- Types of Tumors
- Description of prevalent tumors: solid and hematologic tumors.
- Tumor Heterogeneity:
- Tumor composition.
- Immunological components of the tumor.
- Tumor microenvironment.
- Tumor-initiating cells and cancer stem cells.
- Origin of Tumors:
- Chemical and physical mutagens.
- Tumor viruses and retroviruses.
- Hallmarks of Cancer
2. Oncogenes
3.Tumor Suppressor Genes
4. Chromatin Involvement in Cancer
- Genomic instability and mutations.
- Epigenetics.
- Gene expression regulation.
5. DNA Damage Repair
- Main DNA damage repair pathways: NHEJ, HR, BER, and MMR.
- Genomic alterations in DNA damage repair pathways.
- Checkpoint and PARP inhibitors.
6. Apoptosis and Other Types of Cell Death in Cancer
7. Senescence and Quiescence in Cancer
- Cellular immortality, telomeres, and aging.
8. Angiogenesis in Cancer
9. Invasion and Metastasis
10. Metabolism of Cancer Cells
11. Immunology and Cancer
- The immune system in cancer.
- Immune checkpoints and their inhibitors.
- Tumor antigens.
12. The Role of Inflammation in Cancer
13. Phenotypic Plasticity of Cancer Cells
14. The Involvement of the Microbiota in Cancer
15. Cancer Therapies
- Classical therapies: surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
- Targeted therapies.
- Immunotherapies.
- Resistance to cancer therapies.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Fully in-person classroom-based modality
The course content will be delivered using three different teaching methods or learning activities:
- Lectures – 22 hours: the instructor delivers the content in a classroom setting to the entire group of students.
- Case method (CM) – 2 hours: students work in groups to solve clinical cases provided by the instructor on the same day. In the classroom, students present their conclusions with active participation from the instructor, who may introduce new concepts as needed.
- Practical classes – 6 hours: experimental demonstrations in the laboratory related to concepts studied during lectures, under the supervision of the instructor.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1) Students in the first examination session:
- Practical sessions: 15%
- Midterm multiple-choice exam: 15% (covers half of the theoretical syllabus)
- Case method activities: 10%
- Final multiple-choice exam: 60% (covers the entire theoretical syllabus)
2) Students in the second examination session: the continuous assessment grade (practical sessions, case method activities and the midterm exam) will be retained.
3) Students in the third or later examination sessions: the continuous assessment grade (practical sessions, case method activities and midterm exam) will be retained. However, if desired, students may attend the different methodologies again and obtain a new grade.
General points to consider about the evaluation system:
- In all examinations, to average the grades for the subject, a minimum score of 5 is required on the final exam.
- Attendance at practical session and case method activities is mandatory. If a student does not attend, it will not pass the subject.
- Attendance at the midterm exam is mandatory. If a student does not attend, it will receive a score of 0 in that part.
- Exams will be multiple-choice with four answer options, where correct answers will score +1 and incorrect answers will be penalized with -0.33.
- Attendance at theoretical classes is not mandatory, but those attending must follow the rules set by the professor. If arriving late, students must enter silently without disturbing or interrupting the class.
Bibliography and resources
The presentations will include the bibliographic sources used so that students can consult them if they wish. Articles or relevant reviews may also be provided during the course.
Evaluation period
- E1 22/01/2026 A08 14:00h
- E2 19/06/2026 A16 14:00h