Date:
24^th May 2016

Venue:
Education Centre (Dept 17), The Christie, Manchester, M20 4BX

Course description:

During this study day, science communicator Dr Elaine Vickers will explain many different faulty processes that drive the growth and spread of breast cancer. She will also introduce the science behind a plethora of licensed and yet-to-be licensed breast cancer treatments. To set the scene, Elaine will also provide an overview of the science behind standard treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

Topics:

• Introduction to cancer cell biology & genetics .
• Concepts relating to drug resistance: the cancer microenvironment, cancer stem cells, genomic instability, intra-tumoural heterogeneity.
• Faulty genes, proteins, pathways & processes in breast cancer cells.
• The theory behind standard treatments: chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy .
• HER2: what it is, what it does and how to block it.
• The importance of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in breast cancer & new PI3K inhibitors.
• The use of PARP inhibitors for BRCA-mutated breast cancer.
• Novel targets and treatments e.g. CDK inhibitors and immunotherapy.
tion of a chest drain .

Target Audience:

Research nurses, clinical nurse specialists, chemotherapy/out-patient cancer nurses, pharmacists, clinical trials coordinators and other trials staff, medical writers and medical advisors in the pharmaceutical industry. Elaine presumes that you will have a basic knowledge of cells and DNA but pre-course reading will be sent out to familiarise participants with some of the scientific concepts covered during the day.


Learning outcomes:

• Gain an understanding of breast cancer at a cellular and genetic level and how it differs from other solid tumours.
• Appreciate how this knowledge is expanding, and appreciate both its potential to benefit people with breast cancer and its limitations.
• Learn how many types of cancer treatments work, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies and immunotherapy.
• Understand treatment resistance and why many drugs fail to benefit women with breast cancer .
• Gain an insight into what treatments are likely to be licensed for breast cancer in the next 2-3 years and what level of impact we can expect from these treatments .

Course fee:

£100 (NHS staff).
£200 (Non-NHS staff).