Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module explores the concepts underlying the pharmacological principles that govern the use of drugs in the treatment of cancer. The students will gain a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of action and resistance that underlie antitumour effects and toxicities of the drugs to treat cancer.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module includes the following topics:
•Hallmarks of cancer and targets of therapy
•Introduction to chemotherapy
•Principles of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Anticancer drugs
•Alkylating agents and platinums
•Antimitotics
•Antimetabolites
•Topoisomerase I and II poisons
•Hormonal therapies
•Antibody-based therapies
•Immunotherapy
•Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
•Drug resistance

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students will be able to:
•discuss the clinical context of chemotherapy in relation to other treatment modalities
•explain the pharmacology of most important chemotherapeutic drugs
•describe the mechanisms of action of the major chemotherapeutic agents
•group agents according to their mechanism of action
•describe the influence of cellular and systemic pharmacology on drug action
•demonstrate an understanding of the principles of targeted therapies
•recognise the toxicities produced by chemotherapeutic treatment
•describe the different mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module, students will be able to
•demonstrate the capacity to engage critically and comment on the current and novel approaches to cancer treatment.
•analyse and reflect on the pharmacological factors that need to be considered when designing treatment regimes.
•consider and discuss the different mechanisms of resistance to cancer therapy and how this relates to the mechanism of action.
•synthesise data to present information succinctly and in a visual format.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Through a series of online tutorials (including videos and recapped PowerPoint presentations) as well as private study (including directed reading), students will gain detailed knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of chemotherapy and pharmacology. Furthermore, students will be encouraged to participate in collaborative learning via the discussion board. Personal development will be encouraged through the use of reflective journal postings, shared only with the module leaders. As the students proceed through the module, they will complete a number of interactive activities that will help to consolidate their understanding of the curriculum. The data compiled will guide their summative assessments.

This will facilitate the development of interpersonal and communication skills as well as team working and peer assessment skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The presentation will require students to demonstrate their understanding of a chosen example of a major classes of chemotherapeutic agents and discuss clinical use, toxicities and mechanisms of resistance. The presentation will assess the students' ability to synthesise data and present information succinctly and in a visual format.
This will consolidate the students’ newly acquired knowledge across the whole range of the module as well as their ability to process information.

Multiple choice questions (formative) will help to promote reflection in students in order to identify areas of strength, weakness or misunderstanding. MCQs (summative) will probe specific points of understanding and knowledge of the students across the module.

Should a student fail the assessment they will have to undertake a re-sit.

General Notes

N/A