Cancer has a profound impact on our society and has been the driving force behind major research advances in medical sciences. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the biology, pathology and treatment of cancer. Specific topics covered include an overview of the field, molecular and genetic basis of cancer, cancer pathology, carcinogens, and current cancer therapies.

CILO-1: Describe the common cellular and molecular mechanisms that are deregulated in cancerous cells. CILO-2: Compare the mechanisms by which activation of oncogenes, loss of tumor suppressors, loss of cell cycle checkpoints, and development of faulty deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) repair lead to cancer. CILO-3: Explain how environmental factors influence cancer susceptibility and how we use this information to prevent cancer. CILO-4: Explain how cancer manifests itself in the human body and leads to high mortality rates. CILO-5: Compare the biological rationale of both traditional chemotherapies and novel targeted therapeutic approaches, as well as their benefits and limitations.