2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

OGDS5300M Cancer Drug Development

15 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Milene Volpato
Email: M.Volpato@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Mar to 30 Apr, 1 Mar to 30 Apr (2mth)(adv yr), 1 Sep to 31 Oct, 1 Sep to 31 Oct (adv yr) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students are required to meet the programme entry requirements prior to studying the module.

Module replaces

None

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module is focussed on the challenges and latest developments in anti-cancer drug development from a pharmacological point of view. The aim is to provide a good understanding of the processes and difficulties in successfully translating anti-cancer research into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.

Objectives

1. The processes behind therapy development against cancer
2. The challenges in developing successful therapies against cancer
3. Cancer drug pharmacology
4. Clinical trial design and interpretation, as well as a good understanding of cancer prevention strategies.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:

1. Describe key steps which lead to the clinical use of anti-cancer drugs from early discovery to clinical trial
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge in cancer drug preclinical development
3. Explain cancer related clinical trial design and trial-generated data.

Syllabus

Indicative content for this module includes:

1. Hallmarks of cancer
2. Resistance to treatment
3. Clinical trials in cancer
4. Case Study I: Lung cancer
5. Case Study II: Colorectal cancer and melanoma
6. Case Study III: Brain and breast cancer

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Discussion forum	6	2.00	12.00
WEBINAR	1	1.50	1.50
WEBINAR	5	1.00	5.00
Independent online learning hours			42.00
Private study hours			89.50
Total Contact hours			18.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Across each week of learning students will actively engage with pre-prepared teaching and learning resources which scaffold learners to achieve learning outcomes (independent online learning). Each week follows a set pattern of acquiring knowledge which is then applied to a substantive activity which will usually be authentic to real-world application. Weekly asynchronous discussions (such as discussion boards) allow for peer-to-peer and peer-to-tutor discussion which supports completion of the substantive activity. At the end of each week of learning students consolidate their learning through reflective activities and a weekly live webinar session with the module tutor. Each unit also provides students with the opportunity for exploration and self-directed learning as is expected at masters level (private study).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The module’s digital learning materials provide regular opportunities for participants to check their understanding and gain feedback.

The individual unit webinars and discussion forums provide opportunities for formative feedback from peers and tutors.

Student will be told of the assessment at the start of the module, will build a mock poster as formative work and will be provided with opportunities to ask questions to teaching staff before starting on the assignment.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Poster Presentation	Creative study drug development design presented as a poster flow	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

A poster to describe how students would approach a novel drug development programme leading to clinical use of a novel agent.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 19/11/2024

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