Anna Univ to launch course on tumour biology

Anna University staffers told DT Next on Monday that the objectives of the course are to learn the fundamental and innovative concepts of tumour evolution, mechanisms of response and resistance to immunotherapy and innovative approaches to overcome resistance, genetic and environmental risk factors for cancer and to understand the concept of targeted prevention, learn innovative techniques for the analysis of the biology of human tumours.

“The course would also impart knowledge on applications of the concepts learned to the management of patients in a specific socio-cultural and economic environment”, a senior faculty of the institution added.

Dr Ulrich Pfeffer, Head of the Laboratory of Epigenetics of Tumours of the San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy, was named the faculty. The course will have four parts, which will have more than 15 subjects and topics, including genetic and environmental risk factors of breast cancer.

“Hands-on analysation of tumour heterogeneity using next-generation sequencing will also be given to researchers,” he said adding, “molecular mechanism of cancer chemoprevention will also be taught.” Pointing out that a case study on cancer drug repurposing will also be given, he said the course will introduce state-of-the-art immune therapy and address strategies aimed at increasing the percentage of responders, both in terms of the ratio of patients responding and of the duration of the response.

He said other subjects such as epigenetic of human cancers, methods of analysis of DNA, usage of medicines for cancer prevention and immune theory will be covered.

“In addition, how primary prevention of cancer holds the potential to add years of healthy life for potential cancer patients will be discussed,” he added.