The student will be required to know the classification, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and main adverse effects of antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor drugs.
Additionally, the student must demonstrate an understanding of the rational use of antibacterial and antiviral agents to preserve therapeutic potential and minimize the development of drug resistance.
Knowledge of the therapeutic use of the drugs covered, in accordance with the guidelines presented during lectures, will also be required.
Course Prerequisites
General Pharmacology Concepts In particular, some basic pharmacokinetic concepts will be useful, such as: Drug absorption: concentration/time curve after oral and intravenous administration, peak plasma concentration, and half-life Drug distribution: apparent volume of distribution, plasma distribution, distribution in extracellular fluids, and intracellular distribution Elimination: renal excretion, hepatic metabolism, hepatic cytochromes Additionally, basic microbiology concepts will be useful: Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria DNA and RNA viruses
Teaching Methods
Lectures will be conducted using PowerPoint presentations projected on a screen, with additional explanations on the blackboard. Practical exercises may be conducted in the classroom to demonstrate the exam format.
Assessment Methods
Examination Format
The Chemotherapy exam consists of an oral examination, preceded by a qualifying written test.
1. Written Test (Qualifying Test) The written test is designed to assess whether students possess the basic knowledge required to access the oral examination.
Format: 20 multiple-choice questions
Duration: 15 minutes
Assessment: the test does not contribute to the final grade but serves to determine eligibility
Passing criterion: eligibility is granted with a minimum score of 24/30
2. Oral Examination and Final Assessment Upon obtaining eligibility in the written test, the student will take the oral examination, which represents the sole component used to determine the final grade.
The oral exam will cover the entire course syllabus, with particular emphasis on mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical uses, and toxicity of antibacterial, antiviral, and antineoplastic drugs.
The final grade is determined exclusively by the outcome of the oral examination. The committee will assess the student’s knowledge of the subject, ability to synthesize information, and appropriate use of technical and scientific language.
Validity of the Test Eligibility obtained through the written test is valid only for the current exam session.
Texts
Lecture handouts are available in Italian: Chemotherapy Drugs - Andrea Ferrigno e Laura G. Di Pasqua. Other reference texts: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics Rang's Pharmacology Katzung's Basic & Clinical Pharmacology
Contents
Part I and II: Antibacterials
Updated guidelines for the treatment of: bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, group B streptococcal pharyngitis, bacterial endocarditis Beta-lactams (penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams) Sulfonamides Aminoglycosides Macrolides Oxazolidinones Part III: Antivirals
Guidelines for the treatment of viral influenza Guidelines for the treatment of hepatitis C Antivirals effective against DNA and RNA viruses Anti-HBV antivirals Anti-HCV antivirals Part IV: Antitumor Drugs