Face-to-face:

The teaching of the MOLECULAR HISTOPATHOLOGY OF NEOPLASMS course consists of lectures, seminars/tutorials, and laboratory exercises. Attendance of Laboratory exercises and Seminars/Tutorials is obligatory.

The lectures’ content is described above.

Seminars/Tutorials (in 1-2 groups of students with 1 tutor per group) review and extend the lectures into knowledge and principles of molecular histopathology methodologies used.

Laboratory exercises (in 1-2 groups of students, 1 tutor per group of 8-10 students) composing the students’ exercises complement the lectures. They aim to familiarize the student with the application of molecular histopathology techniques, the operation of simple laboratory instruments, and the experimental procedures that are often used in molecular histopathology of neoplasms as well as to help the students comprehend concepts that are not easily presented theoretically (learning based on practical experience).

Information and Communication Technologies are used to prepare the lecture material, the online information, and the provision of supplementary learning material to students.

Specifically:

• Common software (e.g. MS PowerPoint) is used to prepare lecture material and display slides and videos.
• The study guide (detailed supplementary material & additional bibliography), the tutorial material (clinical cases), the theory and protocols of the laboratory exercises, the slides of each lecture as well as relevant videos and scientific articles made available electronically and online to students through the e-class system of our university.
• Information about the course, tutors, their research interests, and the Pathology Department in general, are available online on the website of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Thessaly.
• Common software (e.g.MS Excel) is used to statistically process student assessment.

Announcements, information, etc. are available online and via e-class. Communication is also done via e-mail.

The language of assessment is Greek/English.

Evaluation methods.

A. For the laboratory exercises: Laboratory Assignment Reports, Written Examination with short answer and problem-solving questions. Students’ participation in the exercises is mandatory.

Successful examination of the Laboratory after presentation of laboratory work.

B. For the Tutorials:

The material of the tutorials is examined together with the lectures.

C. For the lecture material: Written Exams with multiple choice and True/False questions, short questions, and oral examinations of students with special needs.

The course exams are written, last 2 hours, and consist of multiple choice or True/False questions and short questions. The material to be examined is lectures and tutorial material as described above.

Final Grade:

The final grade of the course is estimated as the sum of 60% of the grade of the written course exams and 40% of the grade of the Laboratory work presentation.

All the above are available to all students posted electronically in e-class.

Aims of the course

The course examines the main characteristics of cancer cells as well as the molecular mechanisms during the multistage and multifactorial process of carcinogenesis in humans. The course aims to teach the relationship between the molecular profile (genotype) and the human body’s morphological features (phenotype) of neoplasms. Applications of the tumor molecular profile in clinical practice, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of the most common solid tumors, are also presented.

Another aim of the course is to help students acquire a thorough understanding of the diagnostic approaches to neoplasms and the necessity of molecular biomarkers with prognostic and predictive value for effective targeted therapy.

After the successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

• understand the main mechanisms that lead to carcinogenesis and their correlation with specific morphological features of neoplastic cells.
• know about the driver genetic alterations and the molecular mechanisms that underlie neoplastic transformation.
• use and understand basic terms of molecular histopathology.
• use the basic equipment of a molecular histopathology laboratory and perform basic molecular analyses.
• analyze and understand the role of major signaling pathways involved in human carcinogenesis.
• collaborate with their colleagues for the performance of basic molecular histopathology techniques.

General Abilities

• Research, analysis, and synthesis of data and information, using the necessary technologies
• Decision making
• Autonomous and team-work
• Criticism and self-criticism exercise
• Promotion of free, creative, and inductive reasoning

The content of the MOLECULAR HISTOPATHOLOGY OF NEOPLASMS course includes the following major items:

A. The content of the lectures and the relevant clinical insights that the students need to learn/acquire per chapter.

B. The content of the tutorials/seminars and the relevant clinical insights the students need to learn/acquire per seminar.

C. The content of the laboratory practice together with the relevant practical and clinical skills the students need to learn/acquire per exercise.

A. Lectures’ content and relevant clinical insights

1. The Nature of Cancer Cell – Biological Characteristics of Cancer Cells (Cloning, Autonomy, Loss of Differentiation)
2. Maintenance of genomic integrity and tumorigenesis
3. Uncontrolled cell proliferation and oncogenesis
4. Growth factors, growth factor receptors, and histogenesis – Stem Cells
5. Extracellular – intracellular signaling
6. Transcription factors – regulation of transcription
7. Oncogenes – Tumor suppressor genes
8. Invasion and metastasis mechanisms – Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)
9. Biology of Angiogenesis
10. Mechanisms of carcinogenesis – Biomarkers – Targeted treatment of common neoplasms (sporadic forms)
11. Mechanisms of carcinogenesis – Biomarkers – Treatment of familial forms of frequent neoplasms
12. Use of molecular methods for the diagnostic approach of solid tumors
13. Use of molecular methods in liquid biopsies 

B. Seminar/Τutorial content and relevant clinical insights Theoretical background of basic laboratory techniques          

 C. Laboratory Practical contentHands-on learning: Acquisition of general and specific practical & clinical skills:

1. General Skills

• Observation of laboratory workflow
• Use of standard laboratory techniques
• Teamwork
• Safety in a laboratory environment
• Receiving and following instructions
• Following safety regulations
• Troubleshooting and clinical significance
• Interpretation of molecular reports

2. Specific Skills

• Familiarity with basic molecular laboratory techniques

Knowledge – Lecture material

1. The Nature of the Cancer Cell – Biological Characteristics of Cancer Cells (Cloning, Autonomy, Loss of Differentiation)
2. Maintenance of genomic integrity and tumorigenesis
3. Uncontrolled cell proliferation and oncogenesis
4. Growth factors, growth factor receptors, and histogenesis – Stem Cells
5. Extracellular – intracellular signaling
6. Transcription factors – regulation of transcription
7. Oncogenes – Tumor suppressor genes
8. Invasion and metastasis mechanisms – Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)
9. Biology of Angiogenesis
10. Mechanisms of carcinogenesis – Biomarkers – Targeted treatment of common neoplasms (sporadic forms)
11. Mechanisms of carcinogenesis – Biomarkers – Treatment of familial forms of frequent neoplasms
12. Use of molecular methods for the diagnostic approach of solid tumors
13. Use of molecular methods in liquid biopsies

 Α. Lecture MaterialMain suggested textbooks:

1. Human Molecular Genetics5th edition

Authors: Strachan Tom, Read Andrew P.ISBN: 9780815345893

2. The Cell: A Molecular Approach (8th Edition, 2018)

Authors: Geoffrey CooperISBN:9781605357072

Further reading:

No

Β. Laboratory Practical supplementary Material

No

Relevant Scientific Journals:

Yes