BM7045 - Cancer Pharmacology (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Cancer Pharmacology | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Human Sciences | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||||
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| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
This module provides an advanced understanding of the pharmacodynamics of therapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer.
The key aim of this module is to provide students with in-depth analysis of how the key classes of anti-cancer drugs mediate their effects, including a consideration of aspects of drug discovery, clinical trials, adverse effects, and possible future avenues of drug treatment.
Syllabus
Drug discovery to clinical use – specific examples;
the quest for selectivity;
tumour targeting strategies;
mechanism of action of specific antimetabolites, anti-tubulin agents, DNA-interactive agents, cell signalling inhibitors, hormonal agents, biological agents;
drug resistance;
personalised medicine and future therapies. (LO1-3)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Students will be guided in their learning using a combination of private study, interactive lectures and small group tutorials exploring realistic problems/case studies. Preparation for assignment will enable students to reinforce and expand their knowledge base and develop subject skills and competences. They will be able to assess and reflect upon their understanding of the material through the completion on-line quizzes.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. distinguish between the main classes of anticancer drugs on the basis of their
mechanism of action;
2. differentiate between the different ways in which drug resistance can arise and discuss how future chemotherapy might look;
3. evaluate published relevant research material and put together a balanced review of a selected topic; relating to cancer pharmacology using up-to-date primary sources.