Cancer Stem Cells
Course Information
Date: AnytimeDuration: 75 Minutes
Location: Virtual
Audience: ACVIM, ECEIM, ECVIM-CA and ECVN Diplomates and candidates
Specialty: Oncology
Type: On Demand
CE Hours: 1.25
Course Overview
The cancer stem cell theory states that tumor growth is driven by a small number of dedicated cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells are endowed with the ability to self-renew (leading to unlimited cell division and maintenance of the stem cell pool), differentiate into non-CSCs and are intrinsically resistant to conventional therapeutics. This theory explains the clinical observations of almost inevitable tumor relapse after initially successful chemo and/or radiotherapy, and metastasis. This course reviews the biology of CSCs and provides insights into CSC plasticity, interaction with the niche, tumor repopulation and clinical implications of therapeutic response.
Learning Objectives:- Explain the difference between the clonal evolution model and the CSC model
- Define a stem cell
- List the key characteristics of a CSCs
- Define cellular plasticity and explain why it is important within the tumor
- Describe the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
- Explain the Warburg effect
RACE Application Status
This module has been submitted and approved for 1.25 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval.
For additional questions, please contact us at Learning@ACVIM.org.
Presenters
David Argyle, PhD
William Dick Chair of Veterinary Clinical Studies
The University of Edinburgh
David Argyle is a graduate of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from the University of Glasgow. He gained his PhD in Immunology and Oncology from the same department. He has served as a clinical academic for the Universities of Glasgow, Wisconsin-Madison and Edinburgh. He has served as Chair of Clinical Studies and as Postgraduate Dean for the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. In 2011 he was appointed William Dick chair of Veterinary Clinical Studies and Dean of Veterinary Medicine at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. He is also Deputy Head of College for The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. He is chair of the examination board for the ECVIM sub-specialty in Oncology. He is an RCVS and European recognized specialist in veterinary oncology, his major interests are cancer biology and comparative oncology. He was elected FRSE and FRCVS in 2016 for meritorious contributions to knowledge. He was elected FRSA in 2019 for contributions to social progress and development.
Lisa Pang, PhD
Research Fellow at The Roslin Institute
The University of Edinburgh
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Pang completed her PhD in cancer cell signalling at the CRUK Cancer Research Centre and during her PhD she identified a novel p21 feedback loop in the regulation of p53. Dr. Pang subsequently worked at KuDOS Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge developing novel small molecule inhibitors against members of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase related kinase family, with the aim of sensitising cancer cells to DNA damage. Currently, Dr. Pang is a research fellow at The Roslin Institute and a member of The Comparative Oncology and Stem Cell Research Group at the University of Edinburgh. She teaches cell biology to graduate entry veterinary students and is a course organiser of the MSc Animal Biosciences course. The focus of Dr. Pang’s research is on unravelling the biology of cancer stem cells and further understanding the molecular mechanisms driving tumour repopulation after therapy.