May 31, 2026  
2025-2026 University Catalog 
    
2025-2026 University Catalog

CELL 616 Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology


Credits: 4
This course is designed to give students entering cancer research a broad background in cancer biology. The course is divided into three main sections, as follows:

  1. Basic Cancer Biology and Mechanisms. Topics include discovery of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes and their functions; mechanisms of cancer initiation; role of the immune system in cancer; role of the microenvironment in cancer; metastasis; stem cells; cancer cachexia.
  2. Technology in Cancer Research and Treatment. Topics include next generation sequencing in research and diagnosis; predictive gene signatures; radiation treatment; MRI; genetic manipulation of model systems; targeted therapeutics and clinical trials
  3. Organ Specific Cancer Incidence, Characteristics, and Treatment. Lectures in this section will cover the pathogenesis and treatment of specific cancers such as breast, prostate, gastrointestinal, skin, and blood tumors.


Graded: A-F
May be repeated for credit
Also offered as: CANB 616