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Oncology 401
Lecture Slides available.
401 - Introduction to Experimental OncologySemester I; 2 credits. The biological processes and mechanisms associated with the characteristics of neoplasia. Prerequisites: Biology and organic chemistry or consent of instructor. Biochemistry, genetics, and physiology recommended. Text: H.C. Pitot, Fundamentals of Oncology, 4th edition. Instructor: Henry C. Pitot.
Course ContentWe explore the basic concepts of cancer biology highlighting the pioneering work done in the fields of chemical carcinogenesis, the genetics of cancer development, and the biochemistry of neoplasia, and we present some of the experimental techniques used to study cancer. We analyze the mechanisms by which environmental factors -- including exposure to radiation, chemicals (occupational or nutritional), and cancer-causing viruses, and endogenous factors such as genes, hormones, and the immune system -- affect tumor development. We emphasize the main concept of how mutations can result in altered gene expression and how it is the deregulation of the expression of genes that control the process of cell division which can result in the formation of a tumor. We continue by investigating the altered expression of genes that allow a tumor to become large and spread to other tissues. We also discuss the unusual morphological, biochemical, and physiological properties of tumor cells. Other topics such as cancer epidemiology, environmental legislation, and the theoretical basis of chemotherapy are touched on during the semester. Finally, three invited clinical oncologists share their experiences on the topics of radiation treatment, clinical trials, and pediatric oncology.
Class FormatLevel: Listed in the Timetable as intermediate or advanced. Prerequisites: biology, organic chemistry. Previous courses that are useful but not required: cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, and immunology.
Organization: There are two lectures per
week. Class size is approximately 60 students, mostly
seniors and 1st-year graduate students, some juniors.
Professor Henry Pitot (Instructor)
Office: 522 McArdle
Phone: 262-3247
Email: pitot@oncology.wisc.edu
Professor Dan Loeb
Office: 723A McArdle
Phone: 262-1260
Email: loeb@oncology.wisc.edu
Assistant Professor Wei Xu
Office: 421A McArdle
Phone: 265-5540
Email: wxu@oncology.wisc.edu
Emily Powell (TA)
Office: 425 McArdle
Phone: 262-9834
Email: ecpowell@wisc.edu
Text: Fundamentals of Oncology, 4th edition -- H.
C. Pitot
Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 2002
Auditors Welcome
Fall, 2009
2 credits
11:00-11:50 A.M. — Tuesday and Thursday, Room 125 McArdle Laboratory
Lecture Schedule
| September | |
| 03 | Historical and Statistical Aspects of Cancer (HCP) |
| 08 | Nomenclature and Classification of Neoplasms (HCP) |
| 10 | Etiology of Neoplasia - Chemical and Physical Aspects (HCP) |
| 15 | Etiology of Neoplasia - Chemical and Physical Aspects (HCP) |
| 17 | Etiology of Neoplasia - Germline Genetics (HCP) |
| 22 | Etiology of Neoplasia - Germline Genetics - multifactorial (HCP) |
| 24 | Etiology of Neoplasia - Somatic Cell Genetics and Developmental Biology (HCP) |
| 29 | Etiology of Neoplasia - Biologic Agents (DL) |
| October | |
| 01 | Etiology of Neoplasia - Biologic Agents (DL) |
| 06 | The Pathogenesis of Neoplasia - Initiation and Promotion (HCP) |
| 08 | The Pathogenesis of Neoplasia - Initiation and Promotion (HCP) |
| 13 | Host Effects during Carcinogenesis (HCP) |
| 15 | The Natural History of Cancer in Vivo - The Stage of Progression, Cell Cycle and Cell Kinetics (HCP) |
| 20 | The Natural History of Cancer in Vivo - Consequences of the Stage of Progression - Invasion and Metastases (HCP) |
| 22 | Theoretical Basis of Chemotherapy (EP) |
| 27 | Radiotherapy of Neoplasia (Dr. Kristin Bradley) |
| 29 | Pediatric Oncology (Dr. Paul Dvorak) |
| MIDSEMESTER EXAM - Time to be determined | |
| November | |
| 03 | Medical Oncology (Dr. Toby Campbell) |
| 05 | Etiology of Human Cancer - Epidemiologic Studies (HCP) |
| 10 | Etiology of Human Cancer - Epidemiologic Studies (HCP) |
| 12 | Etiology of Human Cancer - Legislation and Regulation (HCP) |
| 17 | The Natural History of Neoplasia in Vitro (HCP) |
| 19 | Biochemistry and Cell Biology of the Neoplastic Cell in Vivo (HCP) |
| 24 | Biochemistry and Cell Biology of the Neoplastic Cell in Vitro (HCP) |
| December | |
| 01 | Host-Tumor Relationships - Nutritional (WX) |
| 03 | Host-Tumor Relationships - Hormonal (WX) |
| 08 | Host Tumor Relationships - Immunologic (WX) |
| 10 | Host-Tumor Relationships - Immunologic (WX) |
| 15 | Host-Tumor Relationships - Immunologic (WX) |
The midsemester examination will be given in late October at a time convenient to the class. The final examination is scheduled for Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 10:05 a.m.
In addition, a student may elect to write a short paper on a subject of their choice, which is approved by Dr. Pitot. (Shown below are the grading options if a student wishes to assume the responsibility for writing a paper, or not.) The paper should be a 5- to 10-page paper covering the subject undertaken in reasonable detail. Thus, the student should not choose a broad general topic, which cannot possibly be covered in this short space. Before writing the paper, the topic chosen by the student must be approved by Dr. Pitot to insure that it can be covered in the short space allotted. The paper as an option must be handed in at the latest with the final examination on December 17. However, the paper may be handed in at any earlier date. The decision to undertake the optional paper must be made by the student at least three weeks prior to the final examination and the topic approved by that time.
There will also be a series of 10 OPTIONAL homework questions given throughout the semester. These will be challenging "thought" questions intended to keep you on track for exams, and will also allow you to prove to yourself how well you understand the most important course concepts. Because the course material builds throughout the semester and ideas start to come together, there will be more homework questions toward the end of the semester. Some questions will relate to "hot topics" in the field of oncology. If you choose to answer the questions by the assigned due date, your overall total percentage points will be added to your final course grade. For example, if your total homework score is 50% that will correspond to an additional 5 percentage points added to your final grade; therefore, a final course grade of 80% will become a final grade of 85%. The questions will be short answer/essay format.
There will be a series of review sessions given by Emily at appropriate times during the semester. These times will be decided upon in advance with input from class members.
Grading Options
| Option 1 | |
| Midterm Exam | 1/3 |
| Final Exam | 2/3 |
| Option 2 | |
| Midterm Exam | 25% |
| Final Exam | 50% |
| Paper | 25% |
| "Add-On" option | |
| Optional homework questions worth up to 10 percentage points added to final grade | |