This book proposes the importance of new systems of drug design and delivery based on cancer pathophysiology in addition to cancer molecular and cellular biology. The current studies based on molecular and cellular biology while ignoring pathophysiology and pharmacology may be leading the development of antitumor drugs in the wrong direction and wasting a lot of money. Although there have been numerous reports of genetic and phenotypic changes in tumors, a large body of pathological and clinical evidence supports the conclusion that there are no pivotal changes in tumor cells that distinguish them consistently and reliably from normal dividing cells. Unlike using antibiotics against bacterial infection, therefore, anticancer agents (ACAs) need to be delivered selectively to tumor tissues and should be kept there long enough to reproduce the concentrations they reach in the Petri dish, which is a closed space where the cytocidal effects of any anticancer agents (ACAs) including molecular targeting agents are very strong. In the body, however, administered ACAs are cleared with the passage of time. Furthermore, most human cancers possess abundant stroma that hinders the penetration of drugs into the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, to overcome these difficulties, novel drug delivery systems have been designed, such as nanoparticles and ACA conjugated antibodies to stromal components and to cancer cell surface antigens. These advances are described in this book after the first section, which describes core features of the pathophysiology of the cancer microenvironment, on which these new developments are based.

Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Cancer is a multi-volume series which focuses on an emerging area of cancer research. In 1968, R. H. Williams first reported that elevated prostaglandin levels are present in human medullary carcinoma. Since that time, the concept that arachidonic acid metabolites may be involved in cancer has expanded to include every aspect of the disease from cell transformation through metastasis. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are generic terms used to describe a family ofbioactive lipids produced from unsaturated fatty acids (principally from arachidonic acid) via the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways, respectively. Cyclooxygenase products consist of diverse products such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), whereas lipoxygenase products consist ofhydroperoxy fatty acids and mono-, di-and tri-hydroxy acids including leukotrienes, lipoxins, and epoxides. The precursor fatty acids for the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways are present in cellular phospholipids. This finding established an important control point in their biosynthesis --the release of substrate. This occurs in response to numerous stimuli that act at the cell surface. Dr. Bengt Samuelsson's extensive study ofthe metabolism of prostaglandins indicate that they are rapidly inactivated on a single pass through pulmonary circulation. Thus, they cannot act as circulating hormones and appear to be made on demand in the vicinity oftarget tissues leading to the concept that prostaglandins are local rrormones or autocoids. Altered production, qualitative and/or quantitative, of prostaglandins and leukotrienes has been implicated in the development of a number of disease states (e. g.

The previous volumes in this series on soft tissue sarcomas highlighted the importance of the multidisciplinary approach to treatment, and this focus is continued in the present volume. Proper diagnosis and staging remain the cornerstone of the treatment strategy. Sophisticated histopathology tech niques and growing consensus on grading systems have further increased the importance of the histopathologist in providing estimates of patient prognosis as well as in providing data for planning the treatment strategy. The use of cytogenetics in this field is rapidly increasing and might enable the distinction of subgroups in specific histological tumor types. Furthermore, molecular biological studies not only help reveal inherited predispositions and details in tumor oncogenesis, but they may also provide additional predictive factors for tumor behavior. Further data on treatment strategy will be provided by diag nostic imaging, and in this volume the value of PET imaging, a relatively new achievement, is highlighted. As far as the actual treatment is concerned, surgery still provides the major opportunity for cure. The addition of radiotherapy to surgery is of utmost importance in efforts to spare as much tissue as possible. The chapters on the planning of radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and the treatment of benign soft tissue lesions using radiotherapy are new contributions to this book. One of the potential late problems of radiotherapy is the occurrence of secondary soft tissue sarcomas, which is discussed in Chapter 10."

The last few years have seen enormous progress in terms of our understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of cervical cancer (particularly with respect to the role of human papillomaviruses), and this has opened up new avenues for prevention. Additionally, there have been further refinements of existing technologies for cervical cancer control. To read about the state of the art on cervical cancer, health professionals have to locate individual articles and reviews of specific topics. In recognition of this, we propose to produce a book that will bring together in one place reviews of the contribution of descriptive and analytical epidemiological research to our understanding of cervical cancer etiology, as well as research on the application of that knowledge (plus knowledge gained from basic science investigations) to prevention through screening, chemoprevention, and vaccine development. The proposed book will include authoritative reviews by scientists working on the disciplines that are pertinent to the topic of the epidemiology and prevention of cervical cancer.

This second edition volume brings together the experiences of leading scientists in the discipline of cancer gene profiling. Because cancer genes can be profiled in many different ways, Cancer Gene Profiling: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition explores different techniques and approaches needed to understand the key stages of cancer development, as using only one technique would be insufficient. This book provides readers with an overview of the state-of-the-art methods that will enable them to perform these experiments, and demonstrates the kind of analysis that is possible in our current biomedical research. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and cutting-edge, Cancer Gene Profiling: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is a great resource for any student or practitioner with an interest in cancer gene profiling, and can be used in any well-equipped research laboratory.

Background.- Aging, Comorbidity, and Breast Cancer Survival: An Epidemiologic View.- Squamous Cell Cancer of the Cervix, Immune Senescence and HPV: Is Cervical Cancer an Age-Related Neoplasm?.- Genetics and Epigenetics.- Genetic and Molecular Basis for Cellular Senescence.- A Single Gene Change Can Extend Yeast Life Span: The Role of ras in Cellular Senescence.- A Comparison of the Properties of Human P53 Mutant Alleles.- Gene Structure and Expression in Colorectal Cancer.- Influence of Physiological Changes in the Immune Constitutions in Aging and Cancer.- Tumors and Aging: The Influence of Age-Associated Immune Changes upon Tumor Growth and Spread.- T Cell Differentiation and Functional Maturation in Aging Mice.- Molecular Biology of Age-Related Changes in Some Types of Cancer.- I. Breast Cancer.- Cytogenetics and Clinical Correlations in Breast Cancer.- Breast Cancer: Influence of Endocrine Hormones, Growth Factors and Genetic Alterations.- Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Expression in Breast Cancer.- Aging and Development of Ovarian Epithelial Carcinoma: The Relevance of Changes in Ovarian Stromal Androgen Production.- II. Prostate Cancer.- Prostatic Cancer: An Age-Old Problem.- Stromal-Epithelial Paracrine Interactions in the Neoplastic Rat and Human Prostate.- Heparin-Binding Fibroblast Growth Factors and Prostate Cancer.- Molecular Epidemiology and Treatment Modality in Patients of Different Ages with Leukemias.- Age Related Changes in Adults with Acute Leukemia.- Significance of Chromosomal Chances in Patients of Different Age Groups with Acute Leukemia.- Glucocorticoid Receptors in Leukemias, Lymphomas and Myelomas of Young And Old.- Drug Resistance.- General Aspects of Cancer Chemotherapy in the Aged.- Drug Resistance and Cancer.- Summation and Synthesis.- From the Cancer Cell Biology Point of View.- From the Immunology Point of View.- From the Aging Point of View.- Participants and Contributors.

The biological function of clusterin (CLU, also known as ApoJ, SGP2, TRPM2, CLI) has been puzzling researchers since its discovery and characterization in the early 1980s. Approaches such as cloning, expression and functional characterization of the different protein products generated by the CLU gene have now produced a critical mass of information of tremendous biological importance that are teaching us an important lesson in molecular biology of gene expression regulation. This volume brings together the contributions of top researchers in the field, providing an overview and synthesis of the latest thought and findings relating to CLU.

Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Cancer is a multi-volume series that will focus on an emerging area of cancer research. In 1968, R.H. Williams first reported that elevated prostaglandin levels are present in human medullary car- cinoma. Since that time, the concept that arachidonic acid metabolites may be in- volved in cancer has expanded to include every aspect of the disease from cell transformation through metastasis. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are generic terms used to describe a family of bioactive lipids produced from unsaturated fatty acids (principally from arachidonic acid) via the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways, respec- tively. Cyclooxygenase products consist of diverse products such as prosta- glandin E, (POE,), prostacyclin (POI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), whereas lipoxygenase products consist of hydroperoxy fatty acids and mono-, di- and tri-hydroxy acids including leukotrienes. The precursor fatty acids for the cyclooxygenase and lip oxygenase pathways are present in cellular phospholipids. This finding established an important control point in their biosynthesis-the release of substrate. This occurs in response to numerous stimuli that act at the cell surface. Dr. Bengt Samuelsson's extensive study of the metabolism of pros- taglandins indicated that they are rapidly inactivated on a single pass through pulmonary circulation. Thus, they cannot act as circulating hormones and appear to be made on demand in or in the vicinity of target tissues leading to the concept that prostaglandins are local hormones or autocoids.

- Includes all current diagnostic techniques including FDG-PET and MRI

- Second Edition is completely revised to include the latest diagnostic and theraputic concepts

- Special section is devoted to medullary thyroid cancer

Cylooxygenase 2 (COX-2) Blockade in Cancer Prevention and Therapy documents the converging evidence that COX-2 blocking agents and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have chemopreventive and therapuetic effects against virtually all forms of cancer. The book's scope covers historical aspects of the discovery and development of COX-2 blocking agents. It also covers the epidemiologic evidence suggesting that COX-2 inhibitors protect against cancers of the colon, breast, and other anatomic sites; animal and molecular models demonstrating that these compounds block critical steps in carcinogenesis; and pharmacologic findings and clinical applications which are immediately relevant to cancer prevention, therapy, and control. The comprehensive nature of this book makes it an important reference test for applied cancer research and provides a general basis for extended research and development on the antineoplastic properties of COX-2 inhibitors. The text underscores the urgent need for human clinical trials of these compounds in order to expedite their efficacious application in cancer prevention and therapy. Each chapter is written by an expert in the field and documents the latest breaking science and original evidence on COX-2 inhibitors. The book presents a novel approach to cancer prevention and therapy involving compounds which are relatively safe for use by the human population. The cancer prevention and therapy involving compounds have already been approved by the FDA for the treatment of arthritic conditions, pain, and inflammation. These compounds clearly have the potential to reduce the burden of cancer in the human population. The book intends to be a comprehensive reference text for applied cancer research on COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs, and provides a general basis for extended research and development of the antineoplastic properties of these compounds and their application in human cancer prevention a

This book reviews the structure-function relationship of nucleic acids, their role in the pathophysiology of the diseases, and as therapeutic targets for human diseases. The chapters discuss the role of nucleic acids in inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. The book also describes recent advancements in nucleic acid-based therapy, the application of nucleic acids in diagnostics, in the development of nano-carriers, logic gates, and sensors. It explores the use of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) as a unique and multifunctional platform for numerous applications, including therapeutics, diagnostics, nanodevices, and materials. It further examines the role of DNA methylation, histone modifiers and readers, chromatin remodelers, microRNAs, and other components of chromatin in the progression of cancer. The book also discusses the applications of nucleic acid as a vaccine and as a gene-editing tool. It also provides an overview of the clinical trials using genome editing platforms for disease treatment and the challenges in implementing the editing technology. Finally, the book elucidates a representative description of challenges associated with nucleic acid-mediated therapy. ​

Georg Stuebinger verifies each of the 24 most common and deadliest cancer diseases worldwide including well-established and potential risk factors resp. important symptoms by using current literature and comprehensive scientific studies with a direct relation to the impact of various parameters of sports and exercise training such as training type, intensity, volume, duration and frequency complete with the corresponding effects. The impact of sports and exercise training as a potential therapy on reduced risk of cancer has been widely discussed in many scientific articles over the last few years, but is still widely unknown. In 2012, about 14 m cancer cases and 8.2 m cancer deaths appeared worldwide whereby cancer represents one of the most frequent causes of death accounting for approximately 13% with a continuously rising number.

In this book, tumour growth is perceived as a deviation from the normal development of the human organism. The molecular, cellular, and tissue determinants of different tumours are discussed showing that each is a different disease, often corresponding to a particular developmental stage. The natural history of several cancers illustrates how clinical incidence can be just the visible part of the iceberg, while the first changes at the tissue level sometimes occur several years before tumour growth becomes manifest. Several mechanisms are proposed to explain the distribution of cancers during the human life span and the decline of the incidence of cancers during human senescence.

This book presents expert opinions on a variety of key topics related to the management of breast cancer, with a focus on the implications of recent advances and research findings for clinical practice. It also explores the controversy regarding mammography screening and reviews the contribution of new imaging modalities. Considerable attention is paid to developments in surgical procedures, including the potential for the safe and effective use of sentinel lymph node dissection alone-even in patients with positive nodes-and to the advantages and contraindications of new radiotherapy techniques. Genetic aspects are discussed in detail, including an assessment of the role of genetic testing and the potential impact of genetic signatures on breast cancer management. New systemic strategies, such as anti-HER2 therapy, endocrine agents, and agents to reverse endocrine resistance, are considered, and the optimal use of chemotherapy for early-stage and advanced-stage disease is addressed. In closing, the book shares important new insights into lifestyle risk factors, risk reduction strategies, and survivor issues, including sexual dysfunction and fertility maintenance.

This book offers a comprehensive and inclusive insight into the history of prostate cancer and its sufferers. Until recently, little practical help could be offered for men afflicted with the devastating diseases of the genitourinary organs. This is despite complaints of painful urination from aging men being found in ancient medical manuscripts, despite the anatomical discoveries of the European Renaissance and despite the experimental surgical researches of the eighteen and nineteenth centuries. As diseases of the prostate, including prostate cancer, came to be better understood in the early twentieth century, therapeutic nihilism continued as curative radical surgeries and radiotherapy failed. The therapeutic 'turn' came with hormonal therapies, itself a product of the explosive growth of U.S. biomedicine from the 1940s onwards. By the 1990s, prostate cancer screening had become a somewhat ubiquitous but controversial feature of the medical encounter for American men as they aged, which greatly influenced the treatment pathways and identity of the male patient: as victim, as hero, and ultimately, as consumer.

The current explosion of new areas of controversy in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia in adults and young adults makes this comprehensive book a much needed reference for hematologists and oncologists. This book assembles leading authorities from around the globe to cover the full spectrum of ALL subtypes and their treatments. Specific topics of discussion include indications for allogeneic bone marrow transplant in first complete remission, the role of minimal residual disease in making treatment decisions, the treatment of young adults, and the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome positive ALL with the advent of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This is the first book to focus exclusively on the adult ALL patient. It provides a complete overview of diagnosis, molecular pathogenesis, evaluation, and treatment for this important patient population.

An authoritative survey of the scientific background for therapeutic cancer vaccines, the challenges to their development, and their current uses in treating cancer. The authors examine the basic issues that effect all vaccines (such as immune adjuvants and prime-boost strategies), describe the methods for antigen discovery, and review the preclinical development phases for each major vaccine strategy. They also spell out the clinical results for cancer vaccines now beginning to be used in the treatment of many common cancers.