Cancer Biomarkers

MEDN66450 Cancer Biomarkers 15 Full year Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Elham Santina Unit coordinator School of Medical Sciences 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 •    The concept of cancer biomarker as a biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that can be measurable and has linkage to different disease processes (diagnosis, monitoring patient response/treatment, prognosis) •    Different types of cancer biomarkers that are currently being used (circulating, tissue, imaging) and how they are being applied using examples drawn from areas of cancer biology  •    Cancer biomarkers derivation and validation and critical insight into the current techniques utilized with pros and cons of various approaches and their clinical application  •    The opportunities and challenges for developing new cancer biomarkers in personalized medicine  •    The concept of cancer biomarker as a biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that can be measurable and has linkage to different disease processes (diagnosis, monitoring patient response/treatment, prognosis) •    Different types of cancer biomarkers that are currently being used (circulating, tissue, imaging) and how they are being applied using examples drawn from areas of cancer biology  •    Cancer biomarkers derivation and validation and critical insight into the current techniques utilized with pros and cons of various approaches and their clinical application  •    The opportunities and challenges for developing new cancer biomarkers in personalized medicine  The unit will provide understanding on cancer biomarkers and their role in the field of molecular pathology and personalized medicine. It will introduce different types of cancer biomarkers, their benefits and limitations and how they can be used to inform key clinical decision making. Students will learn about cancer biomarkers derivation and validation, linking in with clinical unmet need. They will also explore the current technological approaches and methods that are being used for the development of cancer biomarkers.  Students should/will be able to:•    Demonstrate understanding of the science and concept underpinning cancer biomarkers relevant to cancer disease and treatment •    Analyse and compare the benefits of tissue, circulating versus imaging cancer biomarkers in the context of clinical use •    Gain critical insights into the current techniques and approaches for cancer biomarker identification and analysis •    Appraise and critique cancer biomarker applications •    Critically evaluate the issues underpinning validation of cancer biomarkers for clinical use Students should/will be able to:•    Draw on learning to make critical judgement on different cancer biomarkers and their application •    Comprehend interrelationship between clinical need and cancer biomarker type •    Demonstrate efficient and effective problem-solving strategies related to cancer biomarker discovery •    Critically reflect on current practice to seek new approaches Students should/will be able to:•    Plan and execute guided and independent research •    Audit current thinking in the field of cancer biomarker development and research  •    Retrieve relevant, supplementary information from a variety of sources (library, electronic and online) •    Report findings in a concise and structured manner Students should/will be able to:•    Present findings in a clear and concise way using appropriate media •    Participate in collaborative learning and peer support •    Demonstrate independent thinking and evidence integration to formulate hypotheses •    Manage time and show evidence of scheduling tasks in order of importance •    Classroom based learning •    Interactive group-based sessions •    Online resources (video presentations) •    Independent study 1 Written exam 60% 7 Oral assessment/presentation 40% N Tutorials 30 0 120