PPGOCM - Oncology and Medical Sciences Graduate Program

Doctorate

Disciplinas obrigatórias (11 Credit Units, 165 Credit Hours)

Concentration Area: Common for both areas

Applied Biostatistics (3 Credit Units, 45 Credit Hours)

Staff in charge: André Salim Khayat and Fabiano Cordeiro Moreira.

Syllabus: The subject consists of providing knowledge about statistical concepts and methods with applications in oncology, emphasizing the tests most frequently used and enabling the student to choose the statistical method (according to the characteristics of their samples and type of experimental question), the (using specific software) and interpreting the data obtained, in order to help them to better understand their results, thus contributing significantly to the elaboration / completion / conclusion of their dissertation, thesis or scientific article.

Evaluation: Attendance, Participation and resolution of applied tests.

Content: Introduction to Applied Statistics; Description and sampling; Measures of central tendency and dispersion; Normal distribution and sample distribution of means; Hypothesis testing; Distribution t; Comparison between means of two samples; Analysis of variance; Correlation and regression; Calculation of probabilities and binomial distribution; Chi-square test; Non-parametric tests.

Bioethics (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Staff in charge: Ândrea Kely Campos Ribeiro dos Santos and João Soares Felício.

Syllabus: The subject consists of providing knowledge and fostering the discussion of current concepts and themes related to ethics. The code of ethics of health professionals has its origin in the recognition of freedom as central value and the inherent political demands - autonomy, emancipation and full expansion of social individuals. The code of ethics seeks benevolence; defense of the universality of human rights; consolidation of citizenship; respect to diversity; access to information; it is true. Therefore, the study of Bioethics holds discussions on the attributions of the health professional, as well as the recognition of their rights and duties guaranteed according to ethical principles.

Content:

1. Philosophy and Bioethics.

2. Research Ethics.

3. Principle of Beneficence: ensures the well-being of individuals in order to avoid damages and ensuring that their needs and interests are met.

4. Principle of Autonomy (respect for people): the professional must respect the beliefs, will and moral values of the subject and the patient.

5. Principle of Justice: equal sharing of benefits and assets in any area of science.

6. Principle of Non-Maleficence: it ensures the minimal or non-existent possibility of physical damages to psychic, moral, intellectual, spiritual, cultural, and social research subjects (patients).

7. Principle of proportionality: advocates the balance between benefits and risks, with greater benefit to people. The goal of bioethics study is to create a bridge between scientific and humanistic knowledge in order to avoid negative impacts on life.

8. Standards, Laws and Guidelines.

9. Bioethics and Animal Research.

10. Thematic areas (Genetics, Human Research, Euthanasia, among other subjects).

Bibliographic references:

Alberts et al. (2007) Fundamentals of Cell Biology, 2nd edition. Ed. Artmed. Porto Alegre

Freshney, RY (2000) Culture of animal cells; a manual of basic technique. 4th edition. New York, Wiley

https://www.ufrgs.br/bioetica/

Specific references:

Scientific articles from national and international journals will be used as examples and as a basis for testing statistical applications.

Fundamentals of Oncology (4 Credit Units, 60 Credit Hours)

Staff in charge: André Salim Khayat, Danielle Queiroz Calcagno, Ney Pereira Carneiro dos Santos, Paulo Pimentel de Assumpção and Samia Demachki.

Syllabus: The objective of the subject is to offer basic knowledge and fundamentals in oncology, in order to allow the student the contextual understanding of oncology, and especially the perception of the need to consider oncology integrally in its diverse molecular, cellular, pathological and clinical characteristics.

Content: Definition and genetic basis of cancer; bases of molecular and cellular biology; oncogenes; tumor suppressor genes, carcinogenesis models; environmental factors (chemical, physical and biological); tumor stem cell; angiogenesis; metastasis; definition of cancer, with emphasis on histopathological and evolutionary aspects (intraepithelial, microinvasive, invasive and metastasis); carcinogenesis models; histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnosis; "molecular" classifications of breast and gastric cancer; pathological staging; prognostic and predictive factors in cancer; introduction to pharmacogenomics / Personalized medicine; epidemiology of cancer; bases of surgical treatment; foundations of radiotherapy; chemotherapy, target therapy and immunotherapy; oncological support; basis of clinical research.

Master’s Degree

Mandatory Disciplines (6 Credit Units, 90 Credit Hours)

Concentration Areas: Common for both areas

Bioethics (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Staff in charge: Ândrea Kely Campos Ribeiro dos Santos and João Soares Felício.

Content:

1. Philosophy and Bioethics.

2. Research Ethics.

3. Principle of Beneficence: ensures the well-being of individuals in order to avoid damages and ensuring that their needs and interests are met.

4. Principle of Autonomy (respect for people): the professional must respect the beliefs, will and moral values of the subject and the patient.

5. Principle of Justice: equal sharing of benefits and assets in any area of science.

6. Principle of Non-Maleficence: it ensures the minimal or non-existent possibility of physical damages to psychic, moral, intellectual, spiritual, cultural, and social research subjects (patients).

8. Standards, Laws and Guidelines.

9. Bioethics and Animal Research.

10. Thematic areas (Genetics, Human Research, Euthanasia, among other subjects).

Bibliographic references:

Alberts et al. (2007) Fundamentals of Cell Biology, 2nd edition. Ed. Artmed. Porto Alegre

Freshney, RY (2000) Culture of animal cells; a manual of basic technique. 4th edition. New York, Wiley

https://www.ufrgs.br/bioetica/

Specific references:

Scientific articles from national and international journals will be used as examples and as a basis for testing statistical applications.

Fundamentals of Oncology (4 Credit Units, 60 Credit Hours)

Staff in charge: André Salim Khayat, Danielle Queiroz Calcagno, Ney Pereira Carneiro dos Santos, Paulo Pimentel de Assumpção and Samia Demachki.

Master’s Degree and Doctorate

Elective Disciplines

Genetic Counseling (4 Credit Units, 60 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: "Counseling" is defined as a process by which information is obtained on problems of a hereditary nature, both in the human species and in animals. This information, as a rule, is related to the occurrence or the risk of a genetic trait and what can be done to avoid its recurrence. Emphasizes the action of the environment in the determination of phenotypic characters. It analyzes the risks of recurrence of Mendelian, polygenic and chromosomal anomalies.

Biostatistics (3 Credit Units, 45 Credit Hours)

Staff in charge: André Salim Khayat and Fabiano Cordeiro Moreira.

Evaluation: Attendance, Participation and resolution of applied tests.

Cell and Molecular Biology (3 Credit Units, 45 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: The cell, its compartments and signs; nucleus and nuclear cytoplasm transport; chromatin and DNA, replication, cell cycle and its regulation, transcription mechanisms, RNA processing and stability, RNA degradation mechanisms, RNA interference, protein translation, regulation of gene expression in its various levels.

Biology of Oral Neoplasias (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: The discipline of Oral Neoplasm Biology will emphasize Oral Pathology, characterizing the neoplasias that occur in the Oral-maxillofacial region, its etiologies, installation, evolution, seeking, with the application of this knowledge, to reach the safe diagnosis, besides pertinent discussion on their biological mechanisms.

Cytophysiology and Cell Signaling (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: This discipline aims at the study of glial morphology and mechanisms related to the dynamics of the brain barrier and with neuron-glia signaling, giving the graduate student the opportunity to review and learn concepts related to neural plasticity in physiological and pathological situations. We will cover aspects related to: central and peripheral glial morphology, basic functions of these cells and signaling associated with brain barriers (with an approach on drug access strategies in neural tumor therapy), and the intense signaling between astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes and neurons

Cytogenetics of Cancer (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: The discipline consists of providing knowledge about cytogenetic concepts and methods with applications in oncology, also addressing genetic and epigenetic aspects of chromatin structure. Classical and molecular cytogenetic assays will be emphasized in order to enable the student to understand the fundamentals and applications of cytogenetics in the understanding of carcinogenesis.

Elaboration of Scientific Project (4 Credit Units, 60 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: The Scientific Method guides the planning and execution of the processes of obtaining knowledge, involving the initial stages of formulating research questions, defining hypotheses and delineating the research and ways of testing the hypotheses. It represents the beginning of the process, which should culminate in the publication of the results. In this context, the scientific writing is presented as fundamental in the finalization of the process. Ethics must pervade it.

Epidemiology (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: This course aims to offer the student the conceptual bases of Epidemiology as a method of scientific investigation indispensable to the study of the origin, evolution and control of health problems of the population. The following topics will be addressed: cancer situation in Brazil and epidemiological reasoning, frequency measures and association measures, validity in epidemiological studies, drawings of epidemiological studies, clinical trials and case-control studies, cohort studies and survival studies, systematic review and reading of epidemiological articles.

Epigenetics of Cancer (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Staff in Charge: Danielle Queiroz Calcagno.

Syllabus: Epigenetics refers to the number of chromatin structure modifications that affect gene expression without altering the primary DNA sequence, and these modifications lead to the activation of transcription or gene silencing. Several researches have shown that epigenetic changes contribute significantly to the development and progression of tumors. Over the years, the study of epigenetic processes has increased, and new therapeutic approaches have emerged. This discipline will address the main epigenetic mechanisms recently described in carcinogenesis, among them: aberrant DNA methylation, histone modifications (histone methylation and acetylation) and miRNAs. The clinical implications of these epigenetic changes and the use of drugs with action in the epigenome will also be discussed.

Pharmacogenetics (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Staff in Charge: Ney Pereira dos Santos.

Syllabus: History and concepts of Pharmacogenetics; Basic Concepts of Genetics and Pharmacology Mechanisms and Pharmacogenetic Targets; Population structure; Pharmacogenomics of antineoplastic drugs. Program of the Discipline - History and Definitions of Pharmacogenetics / Pharmacogenomics; - Basic Concepts in Molecular Genetics; - Pharmacogenetic and Clinical Targets: Cytochrome P450 System; - Pharmacogenetic and Clinical Targets: Receptors; - Pharmacogenetic and Clinical Targets: Conveyors; - Ethnic and Pharmacogenetic Groups; - Molecular techniques in the study of Pharmacogenetics; - Pharmacogenetics of Chemotherapeutics; - Applications of Pharmacogenetics in the Pharmaceutical Industry and Health Services; - Information Resources and

Pharmacogenomics (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: The fundamentals of pharmacology will be addressed; pharmacogenetics of biotransformation of drugs; pharmacogenetics of populations; pharmacogenetics of drug transporters; pharmacogenetics of pharmacological receptors / targets; ethical aspects in pharmacogenomics; clinical applications, development of new drugs and scientific perspectives. Types of polymorphisms and their importance for pharmacogenomics; haplotypes and bioassays; experimental designs and statistical analysis for pharmacogenetic studies.

Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics (3 Credit Units, 45 Credit Hours)

Staff in charge: André Salim Khayat, Danielle Queiroz Calcagno, Ney Pereira Carneiro dos Santos, Paulo Pimentel de Assumpção and Samia Demachki.

Genetics of Populations (3 Credit Units, 45 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: Prediction of genotypic frequencies in panmitic populations. Balance of Hardy-Weinberg. Maintaining balance. Extension of the Hardy-Weinberg theorem to multiple alleles and polyploids. Balance adjustment test. Deleterious mutations and estimation of mutation rates. Balanced and transient polymorphisms. Demography and natural selection. Endocrossing and Population Structure.

Genomics I (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: The human genome and other organisms; importance of the study of genomes. Mapping genomes by genetic and physical techniques. Sequencing genomes. Understanding a genomic sequence. Anatomy of the genomes. The role of DNA binding proteins. Transcription initiation. Synthesis and RNA processing. Synthesis and processing of the proteome. Regulation of genomic activity. Genome replication. The molecular basis of genomic evolution. Patterns of genomic evolution. Molecular phylogenetics.

Genomics II (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Introduction to Translational Research (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Staff in charge: André Salim Khayat, Paulo Pimentel de Assumpção and Samia Demachki.

Syllabus: The discipline consists of providing knowledge about concepts and methods in translational research with health applications, in order to initiate the student in the correlative thought between basic research and clinical research. Translational science is responsible for converting new information generated on the bench to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and to bring out questions that are relevant to the clinical experience. It is about promoting the approach between the laboratory and the "bedside" in a bidirectional way, giving rise to the scientific question in both environments, and having as an end the applicability of the information generated. Thus, the goal of Translational Research is to work on the large gaps between research processes and their practical application in treatments, diagnostics or other measures aimed at improving the health of the population.

Methods and concepts addressed: introduction to translational research; project construction in translational research, presentation and critical analysis; tumor heterogeneity and clinical impact; breast cancer model, classifications and prognostic impact; histopathological, immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization; fabric microarray construction (Tissue Microarray); manual and laser microdissection; light field microscopy; molecular studies applied to translational research: quantitative evaluation of DNA and RNA; structural evaluation of DNA and RNA; evaluation of protein expression; cellular studies applied to translational research: primary and cell line cultures; cell viability analysis; analysis of cellular behavior modification; cytometry evaluation; induction and blocking of cellular activities; in vivo studies.

Introduction to Clinical Research (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: Clinical research, clinical trial or clinical study are the terms used to denominate the process of scientific investigation involving human beings with the objective of evaluating the potential applicability of a given product in clinical practice. Thus, the discipline's aim is to provide information and reflection on research in human beings whose primary purpose is to discover or verify the pharmacodynamic, pharmacological, clinical and / or other effects of potential use products on improving health status with the objective to ascertain their safety and / or effectiveness. (based on the EMEA definition, 1997).

Clinical Research (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: "Clinical Investigation," "clinical trial," or "trial," are the terms used to describe the process of scientific research involving humans in order to evaluate the potential applicability of a particular product in clinical practice. Thus, this discipline aims to provide information and promote reflection on research involving humans, whose main purpose is to discover or verify the pharmacodynamics, pharmacological, clinical and / or other effects of the potential use of the product for the improvement of health status, in order to their safety and / or effectiveness.

Inflammatory Mechanisms in Neoplasms (2 Credit Units)

Syllabus: General characteristics of the inflammatory response in the central nervous system. Humoral and cellular components. Immunological Privilege. Inflammatory response after brain neoplasia. Microglial and astrocyte activation after brain neoplasm. Recruitment of lymphocytes after brain neoplasm. Neurogenesis in the adult brain. Brain neoplasm and neurogenesis in the adult brain.

Scientific Methodology: epidemiological foundations (1 Credit Unit, 15 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: The curricular unit scientific research methodology encompasses a set of basic rules to develop an experience in order to produce new knowledge as well as correct and integrate pre-existing knowledge for the formation of appropriate texts within the correct rules and standards of research.

Oncovirology (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: Organization and viral taxonomy. Virus-cancer association, epidemiological and etio-pathogenic models. Main associations and mechanisms of viral transformation: Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. Hepatitis B and C viruses (HCV and HBV) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and associated neoplasms. Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and associated neoplasms. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLVI / II) and adult T-leukemia / lymphoma (ATLL). Oncogenesis associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Laboratory approach to the study of the association of viruses and cancers. Therapeutic approaches to cancer based on the manipulation of the virus-host interaction. Experimental bases for the development of vacines.

Pathogenesis of Degenerative Diseases (3 Credit Units, 45 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: Mechanisms of apoptosis and excitotoxicity; biology of oxidative stress; oxidative alterations in neurodegenerative diseases; disorders due to repetition of CAG tripeptide; molecular and cellular mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Tumoral Pathology (3 Credit Units, 45 Credit Hours)

Staff in Charge: Samia Demachki

Syllabus: the tumor pathology is the study of benign and malignant neoplasms or tumors. The module aims to enable the student to understand and identify: i) adaptive processes, hemodynamic disorders and inflammatory responses, present in the context of cancer; ii) benign and malignant neoplasms; iii) the main types of cancer and their anatomo-clinical characteristics; iv) the basic morphological and biological properties of neoplastic cells; v) the molecular and genetic basis of carcinogenesis; vi) the molecular signaling pathways related to the interface between the stroma and the neoplastic cells; vii) characteristics of tumor heterogeneity and classifications; viii) the characteristics of tumor progression; ix) the epithelial-mesenchymal transition; x) the different types of metastasis.

Advances in the treatment of cancer are related to the knowledge of the interactions between the neoplastic cells and the host and the responses of the host to the tumors, among others. This course aims to provide the theoretical basis for understanding and discussing the aspects that guide current research in the field of Molecular Pathology and Oncology.

Quantitative Pathology (3 Credit Units, 45 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: Stereology and Neuropathology. Quantitative analysis of cellular changes in the aged brain. Quantitative neuropathology of chronic neurodegenerative diseases: the prion disease as a model of chronic neurodegeneration. The role of physical exercise, cognitive stimulation and concurrent infection in chronic neurodegenerative diseases.

Non-Coding RNAs (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Staff in Charge: Daniele Queiroz Calcagno

Syllabus: In recent years, advances in molecular biology have demonstrated that non-coding (ncRNAs) play key biological roles and that mutations or changes in their expression can lead to the onset and development of diseases, including cancer. NcRNAs refer to a class of RNAs that are widely expressed but do not encode proteins. This type of RNA can be divided into two groups: cleaning ncRNAs and regulatory ncRNAs. According to their size, the latter can be further divided into: (1) long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs); (2) small ncRNAs, including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNAs that interact with the PIWI (piRNAs) protein. This discipline will address the main mechanisms involved with ncRNAs, from their biogenesis to the major implications on cancer.

Updating Seminar (1 Credit Unit, 15 Credit Hours)

Professores: Danielle Queiroz Calcagno, André Salim Khayat and Paulo Pimentel de Assumpção.

Syllabus: Seminars addressing updating topics in oncology for discussion and formation of critical scientific sense with a view to providing the graduate student the opportunity of familiarization with the conception, development and presentation of scientific ideas.

Bibliography: the bibliography will be explained by the teacher according to the theme defined for the seminar.

Advanced Topics II: Molecular Biology (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: The discipline "Advanced Topics II" contemplates possible medium-term subjects that can be taught in order to complement the students' academic training and, specially, to take advantage of the visits of researchers and / or professors from other Institutions / Universities to teach subjects of interest. issues that are complementary to those given regularly.

Advanced Topics III: Molecular Biology (3 Credit Units, 45 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: The subject "Advanced Topics III" contemplates possible disciplines, of great duration, although not frequently offered, that can be taught in order to complement the academic formation of the students and mainly to enjoy the visits of researchers and / or teachers of other Institutions / Universities to minister disciplines of interest and will be given in the need to be covered subjects complementary to those given regularly.

Advanced Topics: Bioethics (1 Credit Unit, 15 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: The code of ethics of health professionals has its origin in the recognition of freedom as central value and the inherent political demands - autonomy, emancipation and full expansion of social individuals. The code of ethics seeks benevolence; defense of the universality of human rights; consolidation of citizenship; respect to diversity; access to information; it is true. Therefore, the study of Bioethics holds discussions on the attributions of the health professional, as well as the recognition of their rights and duties guaranteed according to ethical principles.

Advanced Topics: Epigenetics (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Advanced Topics: Immunology (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: Teach basic immunology in lectures and discussions. At the end of the course the student will be able to understand how an immunological response occurs, from the recognition of the antigen to the deflagration of the response and its mechanisms of regulation. It is also expected to be able to understand how the system can recognize extrinsic antigens and preserve the body itself. Understanding the mechanisms of response control, escape mechanisms will be more easily understood explaining the absence or inefficiency of anti-tumor response and anti-infectious agents in some cases. Finally, the use of the immune system as a therapeutic and diagnostic tools will be shown.

Topics in Digestive System Neoplasms (3 Credit Units, 45 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: To provide graduate students with epidemiological and etiological knowledge, indications of liver biopsy with histopathological analysis, screening for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and prevention of advanced stages in order to encourage interest in the study and research of this important neoplasm. The CHC represents one of the most frequent malignant tumors in the digestive system, worldwide it is the 7th and 9th among the male and female patients, respectively. Several risk factors have been related to the onset of CHC, such as: HBV, HCV, alcohol, sex hormones, metabolic disorders and the presence of cirrhosis. When diagnosed, it is generally at an advanced stage of development, and thus out of therapeutic possibilities, characterizing a poor prognosis. The knowledge and research of the various risk factors, screening through laboratory tests (alpha-fetoprotein), imaging (ultrasonography, CT and abdominal MRI) and histopathological analysis of doubtful cases by these methods as well as knowledge of pre-neoplastic lesions may contribute to the diagnosis and to favor a good prognosis with the possibility of several treatment modalities.

The Molecular Basis of Cancer and Cancer Research (2 Credit Units, 30 Credit Hours)

Syllabus: Class 1. Cancer Genomics. Many mutations can be found by sequencing technology and these are mostly passenger mutations that are not involved in the tumor formation or growth. There are fewer driver mutations, but they are the important ones that are important for the biology of cancer. There are many different genes that are mutated in cancers, even within a single histology, making it very difficult to find a single target that can be effective for many cancers. However the mutations cluster in pathways, making it possible in theory to target signal transduction that might occur from different mutations. Many new mutations appear to be driving epigenetic changes. Classes 2 and 3- Attempts to develop new cancer therapies. The following concepts were discussed for the students to better understand some general approaches, with specific examples from brain and colon cancer. Development of oncosphere lines for in vitro and in vivo preclinical testing. Here the importance is to have cell lines and animal models that reproduce the biology of the primary tumor Molecular targeting single agent. This has not been very successful, but a starting point for therapy development. Molecular targeting combination. Combinations of drugs are likely needed to treat cancer. Metabolic Targeting of IDH1 mutant tumors. Cancer metabolism is a likely target for treating cancer and a growing line of investigation Targeting microtubules: Tubulin. We have found that repurposing an old drug for parasites is an effective treatment in animal models and are starting a new clinical trial Targeting Tumor Hypoxia with anaerobic spore forming bacteria. This is a novel approach to kill the tumor cell with bacteria and create an immune response to the tumor. Nanopartical based therapy (targeting vascular and DNA damage simultaneously). Drug delivery is important and altering the vascular permeability can enhance drug delivery greatly.