Comprehensive Course: Molecular Biology Applied to Clinical Oncology

Most decisions in oncology are based on biomarkers. But truly understanding cancer requires going a step further: understanding the molecular rationale that determines why a treatment works and why the tumor develops resistance.

The Comprehensive Course: Molecular Biology Applied to Clinical Oncology is designed precisely with that objective. It not only presents diagnostic tools or molecular panels, but also delves into the biological mechanisms that explain therapeutic sensitivity, tumor heterogeneity, and the emergence of primary and acquired resistance.

Throughout the course, molecular biology and clinical practice are integrated to critically interpret genomic information and translate it into informed therapeutic decisions. The focus is not only on what to do, but on understanding why to do it—and when it will cease to be effective.

The result is a training program geared towards professionals who seek to think about oncology from a mechanism perspective, anticipate therapeutic limitations, and approach cancer treatment with a solid biological logic.

Course Direction

• Dr. Juan Miguel Bayo Fina
• Dr. Manglio, Rizzo

 

Teachers Council

• Dr. Juan Miguel Bayo Fina
• Dr. Manglio, Rizzo
• Dr. Yoana Vanni
• Dr. Nicolás Marcolini
• Dr. Nicolás, Minatta
• Dr. Ricardo Amorín
• Dr. Juan Pablo, Sade
• Dr. Fernando Gayet
• Dr. Marcela Carballido

Resident physicians or specialists in oncology, pathology, gastroenterology, gynecology, urology and professionals related to the subject.

Modality: Interactive

Duration: 6 weeks

Lessons: 6 clases de 2.5 horas | los días martes de 18 a 20:30 h

Format: each class divided into three blocks:

• Molecular biology.
• Clinical application.
• Practical integration through case analysis and interpretation of molecular studies.

Day 1 | 21-4-2026

1. General Introduction

• Molecular biology: Cancer hallmarks, concept of driver vs. passenger mutations, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, MAPK pathways, PI3K-AKT. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical Practice: What does 'actionable' mean? Relevance of targeted therapies. Introduction to clinical guidelines and therapeutic decisions. Teacher: Dr. Manglio Rizzo.

 

• Integration: Case of cancer of unknown origin, interpretation of actual molecular report. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo and Dr. Manglio Rizzo.

 

2. Molecular tools

• Molecular biology: Diagnostic techniques: PCR, IHC, FISH, NGS. Types of genetic variants. VAF, coverage, sensitivity and specificity. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical: Available panels, clinical indications, step-by-step interpretation of the molecular report. Teacher: Dr. Manglio Rizzo.

 

• Integration: FoundationOne Report, how to read each section in practice. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo and Dr. Manglio Rizzo.

 

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Day 2 | 28-4-2026

3. Breast cancer

• Molecular biology: HER2, HER2-low, ESR1, AKT1, BRCA1/2. Hormone receptors and PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical: HR+/HER2− and HER2+ therapeutic algorithms. Targeted therapies: alpelisib, T-DXd, capivasertib. Teacher: Dr. Yoana Vanni.

 

• Integration: Clinical case with HER2-low and PIK3CA. Suggested panel. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo and Dr. Yoana Vanni.

 

4. Colorectal cancer

• Molecular biology: KRAS/NRAS, BRAF, HER2, MSI-H, Wnt/β-catenin. | Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical practice: Anti-EGFR, encorafenib, trastuzumab, immunotherapy for MSI-H. Teacher: Dr. Nicolás Marcolini.

 

• Integration: Interpretation of multiple mutations. Instructors: Dr. Juan Bayo and Dr. Miguel Rizzo.

 

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Day 3 | 5-5-2026

5. Lung I (EGFR, ALK, MET, RET)

• Molecular biology**: EGFR mutations, ALK fusions, MET exon 14 skipping, RET and HER2 ex20ins. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical: TKIs of different generations. Amivantamab, ctDNA under follow-up. Precise indications. Instructor: Dr. Nicolás Minatta.

 

• Integration: Case with multiple EGFR mutations, therapeutic decision. Teachers: Dr. Nicolás Minatta and Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

6. Lung II (KRAS, BRAF, NTRK, HER2 ex20)

• Molecular biology: KRAS G12C, BRAF V600E, NTRK fusion, HER2 ex20ins. Cross-signaling and resistance. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical use: Sotorasib, Adagrasib, among others. Selection and management of resistance. Instructor: Dr. Ricardo Amorín.

 

• Integration: BRAF+ case with commutations. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo and Dr. Ricardo Amorín.

 

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Day 4 | 12-5-2026

7. Prostate, bladder, kidney

• Molecular biology: BRCA1/2, ATM, CDK12, PSMA, TROP2, FGFR3, Nectin-4. VHL-HIF. | Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical: PARP-i, 177Lu-PSMA, Sacituzumab, Enfortumab. | Instructor: Dr. Juan Pablo Sade

 

• Integration: Case with mutated ATM and therapeutic decision. Instructors: Dr. Juan Bayo and Dr. Juan Pablo Sade

 

8. Melanoma

• Molecular biology: NTRK, BRAF V600E, MSI-H, high TMB. Kit. | Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical: Larotrectinib, BRAF/MEK inhibitors (Encora-bini).

 

• Integration: Search in COSMIC and ClinVar databases. Instructor: Dr. Juan Bayo

 

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Day 5 | 19-5-2026

9. Gastric and GEJ

• Molecular biology: HER2, CLDN18.2, FGFR2b, MSI-H. Intratumoral heterogeneity. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical: T-DXd, zolbetuximab, trastuzumab. Selection strategies. Instructor: Dr. Fernando Gayet.

 

• Integration: HER2 borderline case + CLDN18.2. | Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo and Dr. Manglio Rizzo.

 

10. Hepatobiliary (iCCA and HCC)

• Molecular biology**: FGFR2, IDH1, BRAF, TERT, Wnt/β-catenin. | Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical practice: Pemigatinib, Ivosidenib, challenges in HCC. PIÑERO. Instructor: Dr. Fernando Gayet.

 

• Integration: Recommended panel and interpretation. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo and Dr. Manglio Rizzo.

 

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Day 6 | 26-5-2026

11. Pancreas

• Molecular biology**: KRAS G12D/G12R, BRCA1/2, PALB2, HRD. | Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical**: PARP-i, KRAS inhibitors under investigation. | Teacher: Dr. Marcela Carballido.

 

• Integration: Case with HRD and KRAS mutations. Teachers: Dr. Juan Bayo and Dr. Marcela Carballido.

 

12. Integrative workshop

• Molecular Biology: Review of Key Pathways and Common Molecular Patterns. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo.

 

• Clinical practice: Integrated decision algorithms, discussion of current guidelines. Teacher: Dr. Manglio Rizzo.

 

• Integration: Team presentations of complex cases with molecular panels. Teacher: Dr. Juan Bayo and Dr. Manglio Rizzo.

The course covers, among others, the following topics:

• Molecular basis of cancer,
• Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes,
• Relevant signaling pathways in oncology,
• Diagnostic tools such as PCR, IHC, FISH and NGS,
• Interpretation of genetic variants and molecular reports,
• Clinical application of biomarkers in breast, colon, lung, prostate, bladder, kidney, melanoma, gastric, hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers.
• Clinical integration of molecular results for therapeutic decision-making.

The proposal focuses on connecting the understanding of molecular mechanisms with specific clinical situations, facilitating a critical and applied reading of the genomic information available in current oncology.