Encyclopedia of Infection and Immunity, Four Volume Set provides new insights into the interactions between bacteria, fungi, parasites and their hosts. Specific areas of interest include host cellular and immune response to microbes, molecular mechanisms of action of beneficial microbes or host-associated microbial communities, microbial pathogenesis, virulence factors, experimental models of infection, host resistance or susceptibility, and the generation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Comprised of over 200 chapters written and edited by leading experts in the field, this book will serve as a key resource for students, researchers, academics and industry practitioners in the fields of microbiology, immunology, and infectious diseases. More than 100 years after Robert Koch and Louis Pasteur established the microbial etiology of communicable diseases, the field of microbiology is experiencing a second period of rapid growth and expansion, driven by the realization that changes in host-associated microbial communities might be at the root of a broad spectrum of noncommunicable human diseases. These advances follow on the heels of recent progress in high-throughput sequencing technology, which has provided a wealth of information on the human microbiome and its physiological potential.

Applications of Nanotechnology in Cancer Chemotherapy offers a complete and concise summary of nanotechnological interventions for cancer management. It highlights the basics of oncology, the cancer microenvironment, targets for active drug delivery, the underlying mechanisms and molecular pathways to enhance the drug delivery to the cancer site. The book discusses the principles of basic and innovative nanocarrier-based therapeutic approaches to modulate the progression of the disease. In addition, this book also explores the evolving targeting approaches specific to the cancer site and type. The scope of the book is not limited to targeted drug delivery for various cancers, but also explores the advancements in cancer imaging and diagnostics employing the nanotechnological tools. Emphasis has been given on the important evaluation techniques like in-vitro cell culture and in-vivo animal models to assess the performance of cancer nanomedicines. The book includes clinical study reports of various drug moieties explored using variety of nanoconstructs in myriad cancer conditions with the input of global market and pharmacoeconomics.

Viral, Parasitic, Bacterial, and Fungal Infections: Antimicrobial, Host Defense, and Therapeutic Strategies highlight diverse types of infections, including viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal, and the therapeutic efficacy of antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and other medications, nutraceuticals, and phytotherapeutics. This book addresses the molecular, pathophysiological, and cellular pathways involved in the process of infection. It also examines the host defense mechanisms modulated by innate and adaptive immunity. The book starts off with an introduction, which includes etiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of infections. It then goes on to cover a wide spectrum of salient features involved in viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections and effective therapeutic strategies. In addition, there is a complete section of eight chapters elaborating the detailed aspects of COVID-19 infections, Mucormycosis, Omicron, and strategic vaccines and therapeutics. The book further goes on to discuss novel antibiotics, vaccines, bromhexine, boron compounds, phytotherapeutics, and aspects on boosting immune competence. Contributed by experts in the fields of viral, parasitic, bacterial, and fungal infections, the book comprehensively details the various types of infections such as herpes and COVID-19, their molecular mechanisms, and treatment strategies for those engaged in the research of infectious diseases.

'Light' from low level laser therapy, through a process called photobiomodulation (PBM), has been in existence in supportive care in cancer, in particular in the management of oral mucositis (OM) in patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this book the authors attempt to portray the current status of the supportive care interventions that are possible with PBM using low level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients undergoing cancer treatment for solid tumours, harmatological malignancies, and head and neck cancers.

Epigenetic Regulation in Overcoming Chemoresistance, Volume 19, explains how epigenetic agents can enhance the chemotherapy sensitivity of diverse types of cancers. The book provides a comprehensive delineation and the recent development of the scientific studies on the epigenetic regulation in enhancing chemo-sensitivity. In addition, it discusses several topics such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi), Histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACi), Histone lysine demethylases inhibitors (HDMi), Histone lysine methyltransferases inhibitors (HMTi) and drugs regulating the microRNA, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) or RNA methylation. Finally, recent and future developments of the field of epigenetic regulation are explored. This is a valuable resource for cancer researchers, clinicians, graduate students and several members of biomedical field who are interested in learning about epigenetic regulation methods to reverse chemo-resistance in cancers.

Visceral Leishmaniasis: Therapeutics and Vaccines describes current therapeutics, natural anti-leishmanial molecules, anti-leishmanial screening, and explores vaccine candidates and amastigote-based vaccination strategies for Leishmania. The book provides a precise view on VL, Leishmania parasite culture, host immunity and immunomodulation, natural compounds effective against VL, animal models for VL, and methodologies available for anti-leishmanial drug screening procedures against VL, as well as vaccine and vaccination-related information on Leishmaniasis. Readers will find concrete information on past and current hurdles facing vaccine development for Leishmania, along with scientific opportunities and the potential impact of vaccines, including problems encountered. The book is designed to increase the understanding of vaccines, particularly in VL, for students and researchers. Although vaccines are now available for many diseases, there are still challenges ahead for a vaccine for VL. The ideal vaccine must be safe and able to induce an immune response that is strong and effective. In a nutshell, a combination of chemotherapy (drugs) and immunoprophylaxis (vaccine) would be ideal to win the battle against VL.

The discovery of the anti-tumour activity of cisplatin in 1965, and its subsequent introduction into clinical trials in 1971, was the catalyst for a major research effort into the potential of metal compounds in cancer therapy. This book provides a discussion of metal compounds in cancer therapy. This book should be of interest to research workers in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly tumour pharmacologists, tumour biologists, medicinal chemists and oncologists.

This book will be a guide to understanding resistance against targeted therapeutic approaches for cancer using immunotoxins. It contains a detailed review of the history and development of targeted therapy. As well, it includes an in-depth description of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in cancer resistance and several novel methods to overcome resistance. Each chapter discusses different aspects of resistance and covers all the factors that may contribute to resistance in cancer cells. Finally, this volume highlights the recent findings and advances associated with tackling cancer resistance.

The Advances in Cancer Research series provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. This volume stands as the first ever thematic volume in the series, focusing on the topic of genomics in cancer drug development. The chapters included in this book represent the cutting-edge information in the field and span such topics as Mass Spectrometry: Uncovering the Cancer Proteome for Diagnostics; Biomarker Discovery in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer by Genomic Approaches; The Application of siRNA Technology to Cancer Biology Discovery; Ribozyme Technology for Cancer Gene Target Identification and Validation; Cancer Cell-Based Genomic and Small Molecule Screens; Tumour Antigens as Surrogate Markers and Targets for Therapy and Vaccines; Practices and Pitfalls of Mouse Cancer Models in Drug Discovery; Biomarker Assay Translation from Discovery to Clinical Studies in Cancer Drug Development - Quantification of Emerging Protein Biomarkers; Molecular Optical Imaging of Therapeutic Targets of Cancer; Cancer Drug Approval in the United States, Europe and Japan.

The book covers up-to-date information on nucleosides and antiviral chemotherapy contributed by the world experts in the field of nucleoside. This book is the result of a meeting honoring Dr. Jack J. Fox, who was one of the pioneers in nucleoside chemistry and chemotherapy. This book consists of 15 excellent chapters in the area, which include topics from recent synthetic methodologies, nucleoside kinase implicated in chemotherapy and drug design, excellent reviews on antiviral agents, nucleoside metabolism/mode of action in parasites, new compounds under clinical and pre-clinical trials, IMPDH inhibitors to review on nucleoside prodrugs.

Here in a single source is a complete spectrum of ideas on the development of new anticancer drugs. Containing concise reviews of multidisciplinary fields of research, this book offers a wealth of ideas on current and future molecular targets for drug design, including signal transduction, the cell division cycle, and programmed cell death. Detailed descriptions of sources for new drugs and methods for testing and clinical trial design are also provided.
KEY FEATURES:
* One work that can be consulted for all aspects of anticancer drug development
* Concise reviews of research fields, combined with practical scientific detail, written by internationally respected experts
* A wealth of ideas on current and future molecular targets for drug design, including signal transduction, the cell division cycle, and programmed cell death
* Detailed descriptions of the sources of new anticancer drugs, including combinatorial chemistry, phage display, and natural products
* Discussion of how new drugs can be tested in preclinical systems, including the latest technology of robotic assay systems, cell culture, and experimental animal techniques
* Hundreds of references that allow the reader to access relevant scientific and medical literature
* Clear illustrations, some in color, that provide both understanding of the field and material for teaching

One of the most important developments in the field of cardiovascular medicine over the last two decades has been recognition of the key role played by arterial thrombosis in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes, ischemic complications of percutane- ous coronary revascularization, and coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis. The phar- macologic armamentarium directed against vascular thrombosis has thus expanded substantially during that time, with development of new fibrinolytic agents, low-molecu- lar-weight heparins, direct thrombin inhibitors, antagonists to platelet activation, and the platelet glycoprotein lIb/IlIa inhibitors. Though clinical investigations of these com- pounds have been marked by failures as well as successes, there is little doubt that enhanced antithrombotic therapies have markedly improved the outcome of patients undergoing coronary revascularization or with acute coronary syndromes. Glycoprotein IIblIlIa receptor antagonists were introduced into clinical practice to overcome the limitations of approaches that inhibit only individual pathways of platelet activation. Multiple mechanisms of platelet activation in response to different agonists converge on the platelet membrane glycoprotein IIblIlIa complex, the "final common pathway" of platelet aggregation. The clinical hemorrhagic syndrome caused by a rare inherited defect in this receptor (Glanzmann' s thrombasthenia), characterized by muco- cutaneous and postsurgical bleeding, but infrequent spontaneous organ (particularly central nervous system) bleeding, suggested that therapeutic inhibition of this receptor might be a potent, yet well-tolerated means of treating thrombotic disorders.

Antifolates are an important class of anticancer drugs originally developed as anti leu- kemic agents, but now used, usually in combination with other drugs, for the treatment of a wide range of tumors, notably carcinomas of the head and neck, breast, germ cell tumors, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and osteogenic sar- comas. 5-Fluorouracil and its prodrugs also target, in part, the folate-dependent enzyme, thymidylate synthase. Furthermore, folate supplementation in the form of leucovorin, modulates 5-fluororuacil activity. 5-Fluorouracil is widely used in the treatment of colorectal and gastric cancer and in combination for other solid tumors such as breast and head and neck cancers. Ongoing clinical trials with the newer antifolates suggest that the range of solid tumors where these agents will be of use may broaden further. Half a century ago, interesting scientific and clinical discoveries suggested that folie acid was a vitamin involved in vital cellular metabolic processes. The folate analogs, aminopterin and methotrexate, were synthesized by the American Cyanamid Company in an attempt to interfere with these processes and were shown to have anticancer activity by Farber and his colleagues. Hence, the principle of antimetabolite therapy for the treatment of cancer was established. Biomedical research over the following years led to a deeper understanding of the complex biochemical pharmacology of folates and antifolates. Selective antimicrobial agents were discovered, but more tumor-selective anticancer agents did not immediately emerge.

Antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) directly addresses the major problem in cancer chemotherapy-its lack of selectivity. Antibody delivery combined with the amplification provided by the enzymatic activation of prodrugs enables selection to be made between tumour and normal tissue. ADEPT offers a novel field of opportunities in the therapy of systemic cancer and may be a major advance for the treatment of solid tumours. This book is the first to describe ADEPT in detail. Each chapter reviews an aspect of the immunology, enzymology, biochemistry, chemistry, and cancer chemotherapy which have been integrated into the ADEPT concept. An additional chapter describes the related approach of gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT). This latter approach is still in its infancy but ADEPT has entered the clinic. The initial clinical studies with ADEPT are included and discussed in detail.

Biological inorganic chemistry is a field of research at the interface of inorganic and biological chemistry. The rapidly developing insights into the role of metals in biological systems has far-reaching implications not only for biological science but also for related disciplines, ranging from molecular medicine to the environment. In each volume the reader, whether engaged in chemistry, biochemistry, biology or molecular medicine, receives a comprehensive summary and critical overview of a topic of high current interest written by leading international experts.

In 1971, J. Folkman published in the New England Journal of Medicine a hypothesis that tumor growth is angiogenesis-dependent. Folkman introduced the concept that tumors probably secrete diffusible molecules that could stimulate the growth of new blood vessels toward the tumor and that the resulting tumor neovascularization could conceivably be prevented or interrupted by angiogenesis inhibitors. Solid and haematological tumors consist of an avascular and a subsequent vascular phase. Assuming that this depends on the release of angiogenic factors, acquisition of angiogenic capability can be seen as an expression of progression from neoplastic transformation to tumor growth and metastasis.

Beginning in the 1980 s, the biopharmaceutical industry began exploiting the field of antiangiogenesis for creating new therapeutic compounds for modulating new blood vessels in tumor growth. In 2004, Avastin (Bevacizumab), a humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, was the first angiogenesis inhibitor approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of colorectal cancer. At present, it has been estimated that over 20,000 cancer patients worldwide have received experimental form of antiangiogenic therapy.

This book offers a historical account of the relevant literature. It also emphasizes the crucial and paradigmatic role of angiogenesis as a biological process and the significance of antiangiogenic approach for the treatment of tumors."

This book provides the most up-to-date review of the simian virus 40 (SV40) minichromosome as a model for the mammalian chromosome in studies of DNA replication. It focuses on disruption of DNA replication by anticancer drugs and DNA-damaging agents. There is a strong emphasis on the unique advantages of SV40 as an experimental system for the analysis of these classes of anticancer drug mechanisms. The new high-resolution gel electrophoresis methods for the analysis of SV40 DNA replication are covered in detail to aid readers in designing and interpreting similar experiments.
Key Features
* Presents unique advantages of SV40 as an experimental system for the study of classes of anticancer drugs
* Details new high-resolution gel electrophoresis methods for the analysis of SV40 DNA replication
* Provides details to help the reader design and interpret similar experiments

Infectious Diseases: Smart Study Guide for Medical Students, Residents, Physicians and Clinical Pharmacists consolidates knowledge and information into a step-by-step process that is easy to understand, remember and apply in a clinical setting. The information presented is necessary for medical students and includes comprehensive coverage of the information needed during residency and beyond. The book's content is organized to provide an overview of microbiology and its different microbes. Diseases are discussed in-depth, including cause and microbe, thus guiding the audience from microbe recognition, disease diagnosis and treatments. This is the only book that can be used throughout the lifecycle of treatment. It is appropriate for medical students, residents, practicing physicians, and clinical pharmacists who need to understand the diagnosis, treatment and cure of infectious diseases.

The 7th International Symposium on Platinum and other metal coordination compounds in Cancer Chemotherapy, ISPCC '95, organized by the European Cancer Centre, was held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, March 1-4, 1995. As with previous ISPCC meetings, the goal of ISPCC '95 was to bring together c1inicians, clinical investigators, scientists, and laboratory workers from many disciplines to promote further collaboration and cooperation in the development of new platinum and other metal coordination compounds as weil as in new ways to use 'c1assical' drugs as cisplatin and carboplatin in the treatment of cancer. Important aspects addressed by experts in the field inc1uded the synthesis and activity of new platinum compounds, the biochemistry and molecular pharrnacology as weil as the c1inical pharrnacology of this c1ass of antineoplastic agents, an overview of current c1inical studies, one special minisymposium on the mechanisms of cell kill of platinum, and one on resistance against platinum compounds. Finally, the current status of development of nonplatinum metal complexes was discussed. This volume contains the contributions of the various speakers at ISPCC '95 and provides an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of this important c1ass of anticancer agents, ranging from synthesis and molecular pharrnacology on one hand to c1inical pharrnacology and cIinical investigations on the other hand. The Organizing Corrunittee and Editors wish to express their gratitude to the contributors to this volume, to the various organizations and pharrnaceutical companies for their generous sponsoring of ISPCC '95, and to the Plenum Publishing Company for their help in producing this volume.