Oncology and Monoclonal Antibodies

Course Description: Oncology and Monoclonal Antibodies

Course Overview

This course will focus on the fascinating mechanisms of the normal cell cycle, explaining how it functions under typical conditions. You’ll also learn what happens when the regulatory controls of the cell cycle break down, leading to the development of cancer. Additionally, we will explore the cutting-edge world of monoclonal antibodies and how they can be used as a powerful treatment for cancer. This comprehensive course designed for students and professionals alike with the following details of the contents of the course.

The Cell Cycle

• Explore the different phases of the cell cycle and the machinery (centrosomes, kinetochores and microtubules) that ensures proper cell division.

• Understand the pivotal roles of the control system of the cell cycle that includes cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases and the regulated destruction machinery (Ubiquitin Proteasome System)

The Role of p53

• Discover how the p53 protein serves as a guardian of the genome, and how it make sure that the daughters cells will receive an intact copy of the genetic material by stopping the cell cycle when there is damage to the DNA.

Cancer Basics

• Basics of the Neoplasm/tumor and the nomenclature and classification of the tumor.

• What are the differences between benign and malignant tumors.

Carcinogenesis

• What are the roles of carcinogens and co-carcinogens in cancer development.

• Understand the differences in protooncogenes, oncogenes, and tumor suppressor genes and how they work.

Normal vs. Cancer Cells

• Understand the fundamental differences between normal and cancer cells.

• The students will explore the cancer staging system (The TNM system and the numbering system)

Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Treatment

• The Structure of the Antibody; Heavy and Light Chains, Hinge Region, CDR

• The B-cell Receptor and the Secretory Antibodies and their Differences

• What are monoclonal antibodies and their characteristics

• How the monoclonal antibodies are produced by the hybridoma technology

• How to select the desired hybridoma, from the mixture of hybridoma, using HAT media.

• How to screen the hybridoma for their desired functions using different techniques like ELISA and affinity chromatography

• Discover the various types of monoclonal antibodies used for the treatment of cancer; naked, conjugated and bispecific and the use of different monoclonal antibodies like Alemtuzumab, Brentuximab vedotin