Toxicity of Cancer Therapy - Lessons from Metabolomics

Semester: 

Spring

Offered: 

2020

Course Description and Assignments
Chemotherapy is the cornerstone of modern cancer therapy and is an effective treatment, but is often accompanied by toxicity. In this course we will discuss current chemotherapies and their drawbacks, and we will learn about cutting edge advances in cancer treatment and future goals for the field. We will focus on brain toxicity following chemotherapy, a common condition that influences approximately 70% of all chemotherapy-treated cancer patients. Additionally, this course will provide a general introduction to metabolomics and different brain pathologies documented in response to chemotherapy.

To provide a hands-on example of the study of this condition we will apply metabolite profiling on CSF samples from chemotherapy-treated mice. Course participants will observe a demonstration of rodent CSF collection, will extract the metabolites from the samples themselves, and will analyze the samples using LC/MS. Subsequent lectures will also include a discussion on improving drug targeting and delivery into the brain.

Registered participants will use the experimental design and analysis methods presented in Session 1 to analyze metabolomics data in Session 2. They will write a half page “Methods” and “Results” sections that summarize the experiment.

Enrollment Limit
This course is limited to 18 students.

Session Dates and Times
Attendance is required for both sessions. Priority will be given to graduate students taking the course for credit. In order to receive credit, students must attend all sessions and complete all assignments. Postdocs may register, but will only be granted access to the course as space allows.

First session – Thursday March 5, 2020, from 2:00pm – 5:00pm
· Lectures – Enders 8 conference room
· Lab session – Enders 1126 and 1150

Second Session – Thursday March 26, 2020, from 2:00pm – 5:00pm
· Lectures – Enders 10 conference room
· Lab session – Enders 1126 and 1150

Course Directors 
Naama Kanarek and Maria Lehtinen

Course Instructors
Naama Kanarek, Maria Lehtinen, and Loren Walensky

Curriculum Fellow
Jelena Patrnogic (jelena_patrnogic@hms.harvard.edu)