Understanding Cancer Metastasis

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/cancer-metastasis

Introduction

### Course Review: Understanding Cancer Metastasis on Coursera #### Overview Cancer continues to present a significant challenge globally, with more than 500,000 deaths annually in the United States alone and over 8 million worldwide. As we edge closer to 2030, projections suggest that this number may rise to over 20 million people affected by cancer each year. The course "Understanding Cancer Metastasis" offered on Coursera provides a deep dive into one of the most critical and complex aspects of cancer biology: metastasis. The course reflects the importance of understanding this phenomenon, as every individual is likely to encounter the reality of cancer in some form throughout their lifetimes. With the backdrop of significant advancements in cancer research and therapies, this course aims to shed light on what metastasis is and why it remains a crucial area of study. #### Course Syllabus The course is meticulously structured into six modules, each aimed at unraveling the complexities surrounding cancer metastasis: 1. **History and Overview of Metastasis** This introductory module sets the stage by exploring the historical context of metastasis, detailing how our understanding of cancer has evolved. Students will get acquainted with key definitions and the historical breakthroughs that have shaped current research. 2. **Primary Tumor Growth and Neoangiogenesis** This module delves into the biology of cancer, focusing on uncontrolled cell division, mutations, and the process of neoangiogenesis, which is crucial for tumor growth. It also highlights the microenvironment of primary tumors and the various cell types involved. 3. **EMT / Invasion / Intravasation** Students will progress to studying the critical steps following initial tumor formation, notably the epithelial to mesenchymal transition, local invasion, and how cancer cells intravasate into blood and lymphatic vessels. 4. **Survival in the Circulation and Extravasation** This section examines how cancer cells survive in systemic circulation, exploring genetic factors that influence metastatic potential, as well as signaling mechanisms that aid in the process of extravasation. 5. **Dormancy and Secondary Tumor Growth** The course then tackles the complex nature of tumor dormancy and the mechanisms that allow secondary tumor growth, contributing to the disease's lethality. 6. **Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Metastasis** The final module shifts focus to the implications of metastasis, assessing how it affects patient health and mortality rates, thereby bringing a much-needed human perspective to the scientific discussion. #### Review The "Understanding Cancer Metastasis" course is a remarkable resource for anyone interested in cancer biology. The structured approach, starting from history and progressing through intricate biological processes, ensures that students not only grasp the technical aspects of metastasis but also appreciate the profound impact of cancer on human lives. The course is taught by experts in the field, providing valuable insights drawn from years of dedicated research. Each module is thoughtfully designed with informative lectures, readings, and assessments that reinforce learning objectives. #### Recommendation I highly recommend this course to a broad audience, including students, healthcare professionals, and anyone who wishes to expand their knowledge of cancer. Whether you are a life sciences student seeking to understand advanced topics, a medical professional wanting to update your knowledge about cancer behaviors, or simply someone interested in how cancer affects society, this course offers a wealth of information. The content is engaging and well-paced, making complex topics accessible without oversimplifying critical concepts. Moreover, by completing this course, participants will not only enhance their understanding of cancer metastasis but will also be equipped with knowledge that can influence their perspectives on cancer research and patient care. In conclusion, "Understanding Cancer Metastasis" is an essential course for anyone wanting to contribute to the ongoing fight against cancer, and I encourage you to enroll and embark on this enlightening journey into the world of cancer biology.

Syllabus

History and Overview of Metastasis

In this first module, we'll concentrate on the history and overview of metastasis and give you a flavor of how cancer is defined as well as some of the history surrounding how we began to understand metastasis.

In this module, we'll focus on uncontrolled cell division, which is a defining property of cancer, as well as mutation and neoangiogenesis and their roles in tumor formation. We'll also take a look at a primary tumor microenvironment and its component cell types.

During this module, we'll turn our attention to the next steps after the initial primary tumor formation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition of cancer cells, and local tumor invasion and intravasation into blood or lymph vessels.

We'll now take a close look at cancer survival within the circulation, the role of the circulatory system in metastasis, the genetic determinants of metastatic potential, signalling mechanisms, chemokines, the dock and lock hypothesis, and extravasation.

In this module, we'll focus on dormancy and secondary tumor growth and how they contribute to the lethality of cancer.

In the previous modules, we've looked closely at the sequential steps of metastasis and some of the biology of how metastasis occurs. Now, we'll turn our attention to morbidity and mortality, or in other words, how cancer hurts and kills people.