Cancer Genomics and Precision Oncology: The Genetic Basis of Cancer and its Treatment

  • HMX

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Registration Deadline: August 26

Group Enrollment Option A program that is a popular choice for organizations and institutions to purchase in bulk.

Understand the links between genetics and cancer, and how genomics knowledge is advancing precision cancer treatments.

  • Online; Instructor-Paced

Lessons are released weekly and remain available until the course ends.

$1,025

Enroll early to receive 10% off. Multi-course bundle pricing is also available. 

Early Registration Deadline:

Certificate

There are two certification levels, based on participant scores: Certificate of Achievement; Certificate of Completion

10 Weeks, 1-2 Hours/Week

Most people can expect to spend around 15–20 hours total, but this depends on your baseline knowledge and how carefully you take notes.

On This Page

Overview

Growing knowledge of human genetics is changing the way physicians and researchers approach diagnosis of cancer risk as well as treatment of various types of cancer. Understanding the vital role that genetic information has begun to play in the field of oncology is essential for anyone whose work intersects with cancer.  

Build your understanding of the principles of the genetic basis of cancer and its treatment with this advanced HMX course. During this online course, you will examine the types of inherited and somatic genetic variants that can accumulate in cells over the course of our lifetime. Discover a step-by-step explanation of the important cell signaling pathways that can lead to oncogenesis, highlighting key molecular players that are often targets for new cancer therapeutics. You will also gain an in-depth view of the cutting-edge tumor sequencing approaches used in oncology to inform more effective treatment strategies and propel the development of precision therapeutics and addresses the treatment challenges posed by tumor drug resistance. 

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the links between genetics and cancer
  • Get an inside look at tumor sequencing approaches and analysis
  • Learn how genomics knowledge is advancing precision cancer treatments

Participant Types

Clinicians; biomedical researchers; health care professionals whose work intersects with cancer research and treatment – including those working in R&D, product management and strategy, sales, and marketing

About the Course

HMX online courses bring complex material to life through engaging biomedical visualizations, clinical applications, and true-to-life scenarios paired with lectures from Harvard Medical School faculty and leading experts. 

Who Should Apply

This advanced course is appropriate for clinicians and health care professionals; biomedical researchers; and professionals in health care and related fields whose work intersects with cancer research and treatment – including those working in R&D, product management, strategy, sales, marketing, and other roles. 

Course Format

Most people can expect to spend around 15–20 hours total, but this depends on your baseline knowledge, how carefully you take notes, and how seriously you take the assessments. Lessons from the courses are released toward the beginning of the course session and remain available until the courses end, so you can work at your own pace. There is a final exam at the end of each course that can be taken at any time during the multi-week final exam period. The flexible course format makes this an ideal choice for working professionals.

 

Additional Course Information

For information around payments and policies, please review our frequently asked questions.

Overview of Cancer Genomics 

  • What is Cancer? 

  • The Promise of Precision Oncology 
     

The Genetics of Cancer 

  • Germline and Somatic Mutations 

  • Cancer as a Genetic Disease 

  • Cancer Mutations 

  • Cancer Progression 

  • The Hallmarks of Cancer 

  • Cancer Gene Functions 

  • Clinical Linkage: The Genetics of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) 

  • Interactive: Cancer Pathways 
     

Cancer Genomics and Tumor Sequencing 

  • Sequencing Sample Types 

  • Sequencing Approaches 

  • Sequencing Analysis 

  • Variant Allele Frequency 

  • Interpreting Variation 

  • Mutational Signatures 

  • Clinical Linkage: Tumor Sequencing 

  • Interactive: Cancer Mutations 
     

Precision Oncology 

  • Cancer Therapeutics 

  • Kinase Inhibitors 

  • Monoclonal Antibody Treatments 

  • Active Immunotherapies 

  • Drug Resistance 

  • Clinical Linkage: Clinical Trials for GIST 

  • Interactive: Molecularly Targeted Treatments 
     

Wrap-up 

  • The Future of Precision Oncology 

We recommend knowledge of basic chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as knowledge of key genetics concepts. This is an advanced course; for those who require more background in genetics, we offer Genetics: Essentials

Your scores and participation in assessments throughout the course, including a final exam, will determine whether you qualify for a Certificate of Achievement or Certificate of Completion from Harvard Medical School. Earning a certificate requires significant effort, and not all participants will meet that level of achievement. You will not receive a letter grade (A, B, C, and so on). 

Are you ready to elevate your educational journey and maximize the investment in your future?

You can bundle up to five courses. Bundle discounts apply to all courses selected. All courses in a bundle must be completed during the following two enrollment periods.

Two-course bundle: 25% discount 
Three-course bundle: 30% discount 
Four-course bundle: 35% discount
Five-course bundle: 40% discount

View all bundle-eligible programs. 

Group Enrollments

HMX courses are ideal for organizations looking to train teams or larger groups. Group pricing is available, making it a cost-effective investment in team development.

Faculty

HMX courses are led by Harvard Medical School faculty, working in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of experts in biomedical visualization, assessment, and the science of learning to create a unique learning experience that will stay with you.

George Demetri, MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Medical Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 

William Hahn, MD, PhD, William Rosenberg Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Medical Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 

William Kaelin, MD, Sidney Farber Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine 

Tali Mazor, PhD, Computational Biologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 

Matthew Meyerson, MD, PhD, Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Medical Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 

Jonathan Nowak, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School / Molecular Pathologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital 

Huma Rana, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School / Medical Geneticist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 

Alice Shaw, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School / Thoracic Oncologist, Massachusetts General Hospital 

Lynette Sholl, MD, Associate Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School / Pathologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital 

Course Quiz

Are you ready for an advanced course? We recommend knowledge of basic chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as knowledge of key genetics concepts. Gauge your knowledge of genetics by taking this short quiz.

From Our Learners

Hear from HMX students as they share their experiences learning online with Harvard Medical School.

“[This course] provides the perfect connection between the molecular basis of cancer and its clinical relevance in our daily practice.”

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