Physiopathology, Introduction in Biotechnologies Diagnostic and Therapy

The module analyses various examples of physiological changes, and their causes, and describes their pathological consequences at organ level. In order to gain an understanding of the complexity of pathological processes, some manifestations of cell damage and their consequences on organ functioning are addressed in an integrated manner. Throughout the course, the basic topics of diagnosis will be addressed in order to provide students with the main tools for test indications and interpretation of results.

For the oncohaematology part:
The haemopoiesis
Diagnostic haemopoiesis
New methods for studying tumour transformation in haematology
Haemostasis and Thrombosis
Myeloproliferative diseases
Lymphoproliferative diseases
Plasma cell disorders
Concepts of haemopoietic stem cell transplantation
Minimal residual disease in oncohaematology methods and applications
New drugs, monoclonal antibodies and gene therapy in haematology
Outlines of methodology in clinical research

Pathophysiology of the endocrine system:
Impact of endocrinology in medical pathophysiology and general principles of hormone action
Gonadotropic axis and pathophysiology of GnRH-secreting neurons: role of biotechnology in the molecular diagnostics of congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadisms
Role of biotechnology in the molecular diagnostics and therapeutic management of thyroid tumours
Role of biotechnology in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of multiple endocrine neoplasms

For the Medical Oncology part of solid tumours:
- Tumour biology: mechanisms of neoplastic transformation
- Epidemiology of solid tumours
- Medical oncology diagnosis and therapy:
- Clinical classification and staging of solid tumours
- Intent of therapy
- Outcome measures
- Adverse events
- Cytotoxic chemotherapy
- Molecularly targeted drugs
- Immunotherapy
- Applications in the treatment pathway in the most frequent cancers
- Applications of molecular pathology to cancer therapy: biomarkers, liquid biopsy
- Interpretation of clinical trial results

For the Neurodegenerative Diseases part:
- Classification and characteristics of neurodegenerative diseases
- Diagnostic biomarkers of neurodegeneration
- Aetiopathogenesis and diagnostic principles of dementias: Alzheimer's disease and fronto-temporal dementia
- Motor neuron diseases: characteristics and aetiology
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: which pharmacological targets
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and spino-bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA): therapeutic approaches
- Parkinson's disease