Research at Fox Chase »Postdoctoral Research Program »Fellowships and Openings

Lecture 1: "Multistep Process of Carcinogenesis" by Margie L. Clapper, PhD

Topics: Our current understanding of the basic requirements for tumor formation will be discussed, using the genetic and histological progression of colorectal cancer as a prototype. The relevance of the "Vogel gram" to sporadic and colitis-associated colorectal cancer will be debated. Both the sequence of events required for the formation of carcinomas in other target organs and the associated causative factors will be reviewed.

Learning Objectives: The goal of this lecture is to provide the trainee with a basic understanding of the carcinogenic process and to inform them of the challenges we still face when developing preventive regimens.

Lecture 2: "Preclinical Drug Development using Animal Models" by Margie L. Clapper, PhD

Topics: Assessment of the antitumor activity of promising chemopreventive agents in animal models. Trainees will critique the ability of animal models to accurately predict clinical efficacy and toxicity and participate in the design of animal protocols to establish optimal dose, schedule and time of drug intervention. Guidelines for the ethical treatment of animals will also be reviewed.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this module, trainees will be able to appropriately design an animal experiment for inclusion in a grant application and be familiar with the protocol for obtaining IACUC approval for the experimental use of animals.

Lecture 3: "Biomarkers of Cancer Risk and Molecular Targets for Intervention" by Margie L. Clapper, PhD

Topics: An update on state-of-the-art technology (i.e. microarrays, proteomics, single nucleotide polymorphism detection) with which to identify biomarkers of cancer risk and cellular targets of preventive intervention will be presented. Trainees will participate in the analysis of raw data and establish approaches for the validation of candidate biomarkers and their translation to a clinical setting.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this module, trainees will be familiar with the purpose, application and potential limitations of each current technology. In addition, each trainee should be able to rationally select appropriate biomarkers for investigation in any given clinical chemoprevention trial.