The collection of chapters in this proceeding volume reflects the latest research presented at the Aegean meeting on Tumor Microenvironment and Cellular Stress held in Crete in Fall of 2012. The book provides critical insight to how the tumor microenvironment affects tumor metabolism, cell stemness, cell viability, genomic instability and more. Additional topics include identifying common pathways that are potential candidates for therapeutic intervention, which will stimulate collaboration between groups that are more focused on elucidation of biochemical aspects of stress biology and groups that study the pathophysiological aspects of stress pathways or engaged in drug discovery.

This third and final volume in the "Ion Transport in Tumor Biology" collection presents novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in cancer based on the exploitation of ion transport proteins. The authors critically examine several transportome members, particularly Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Cl- channels, as well as organic solute carriers regarding their suitability as therapeutic targets. Synergistic effects resulting from the combined use of classical cytostatics with ion transport-inhibiting drugs are pointed out, and the capability of bispecific antibodies to function as anticancer drugs is discussed. As readers will also learn, the use of ion channel inhibitors could improve the outcome of radiotherapy because the development of radio-resistance during radiotherapeutic treatment often correlates with increases in the expression levels and conductance of ion channels. The translational topics of this volume form a bridge between biochemical research and therapeutic application. As part of a three-volume collection, this book will fascinate members of the active research community, as well as clinicians in the cancer field.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) also known as sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations have been the focus of global attention. Most importantly, LGBT populations have been addressed in the context of human rights in multiple reports and other activities by the United Nations and other international organizations. There is great variation among countries in the recognition of LGBT individuals' human rights. A global focus on LGBT populations' health is still limited, with the notable exception of HIV research. This book on LGBT populations and cancer in the global context is, therefore, an important step in that it will broaden the focus on LGBT populations' health. Globally, cancer is the second leading cause of death. Cancer morbidity and mortality are increasing disproportionately among populations in lower-income countries. A review conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that of the 82% of member states (158) countries, only 35% of the national cancer control plans addresses vulnerable population, including LGBT populations. These findings reflect an increasing awareness about equity when addressing cancer prevention and control, including LGBT populations. This book addresses LGBT populations' cancer burden across countries that range from high- to low-income countries to support efforts in diverse countries that are working towards reducing LGBT populations' cancer burden. It documents place-specific challenges that impede progress towards reducing the LGBT cancer burden as well as critically assesses the variation in cancer control efforts that target LGBT populations and cancer to support progress at a global scale. This book includes six sections that cover the six WHO regions, with each chapter written by an author from the specific region s/he is covering. Each chapter makes use of a template that contextualizes the region, local data collection/availability, risk factors, cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Session I.- Breast Mucin and Associated Antigens in Diagnosis and Therapy.- Peptide Epitopes in Breast Cancer Mucins.- Does a Novel Form of the Breast Cancer Marker Protein, MUC1, Act as a Receptor Molecule that Modulates Signal Transduction?.- Cancer Metastasis Determined by Carbohydrate-Mediated Cell Adhesion.- Experimental Immunotherapy of Breast Cancer Using Alpha Interferon Conjugated to Monoclonal Antibody Mc5.- Circulating and Tissue Markers in the Longitudinal Management of Breast Cancer Patients.- Session II.- Engineering of Antibodies for Breast Cancer Therapy: Construction of Chimeric and Humanized Versions of the Murine Monoclonal Antibody BrE-3.- Humanization of an Anti-Mucin Antibody for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Therapy.- Towards an Immunotherapy for p185HER2 Overexpressing Tumors.- Session III.- Branching N-Linked Oligosaccharides in Breast Cancer.- Specificity of the IgG Response in Mice and Human Breast Cancer Patients Following Immunization Against Synthetic Sialyl-Tn, an Epitope with Possible Functional Significance in Metastasis.- Vaccination Against Breast Cancer - Studies in an Animal Model.- Anti-Idiotype Antibodies as Potential Therapeutic Agents for Human Breast Cancer.- The Simultaneous Expression of c-erbB-2 Oncoprotein and Laminin Receptor on Primary Breast Tumors has a Predicting Potential Analogous to that of the Lymph Node Status.- Multivariate Prognostic Model for Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast in the Axillary Node-Free Patient.- The Use of Monoclonal Antibody Immunoconjugates in Cancer Therapy.- Radioimmunolocalization of Breast Cancer Using BrE-3 Monoclonal Antibody.- Suppression of Human Anti-Mouse Antibody Response to Murine Monoclonal Antibody L6 by Deoxyspergualin: A Phase I Study.- Overview of Radioimmunotherapy in Advanced Breast Cancer Using 1-131 Chimeric L6.- Contributors.

When catastrophic illness strikes, someone close to the patient—a spouse, child, grandchild, or close friend—inevitably joins that patient on the arduous journey through treatment and recovery. Surprisingly, health-care professionals largely acknowledge that personal caregivers have more influence over the patient’s experience in the short and long term than any medical professional. That means that if you find yourself in the role of caregiver, you are—or can be—one of the greatest weapons in your loved one’s fight against cancer.

Now Dr. Michael S. Barry shows you how to create moments filled with positive energy, hope, abundant love, occasional laughter, and people (including you) who sparkle with a life-giving, joyful attitude, even amidst grave illness.

Nearly 25 years of intensive research have uncovered many diverse functions for the dimeric transcription factor known as NF-kappaB (nuclear factor-kappaB). NF-kappaB affects most aspects of cellular physiology--from immunity and inflammation to apoptosis, cell survival, growth, and proliferation.

A comprehensive collection of optimized methods for dissecting the mechanisms that control epidermal growth factors (EGF) and their regulators in both normal and pathological states. These readily reproducible techniques range from the study of purified EGF receptor to complex signaling and processing networks in intact cells, including a chapter on the clinical and pharmacological considerations of their use in cancer therapy. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principles behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Fernando Cabanillas In 1993, Fisher et al. published the results of a randomized trial comparing three third-generation regimens against the classic CHOP combination. For several years, the oncology community had been convinced that the third generation regimens were clearly superior to CHOP. It came as a shock to many that there was no difference in outcome between the four arms of this clinical trial. The logical conclusion is that CHOP is as good as any of the other regimens tested in that study. Unfortunately, this excellent study has been misinterpreted by many as proving that there has not been any progress in the field of lymphoma during the last 20 years. Furthermore, it has led to a fatalistic attitude in the reasoning of many clinicians who feel that 'nothing works better than CHOP' and therefore that it is not worth testing new drugs or developing novel regimens. However, the process by which we move forward in the oncology field is seldom by dramatic breakthroughs. Frequently, what appears at first glance to be a breakthrough turns out later to be just a modest step forward. Several steps forward eventually add up to a major advance, but this advance goes unnoticed because of the slow nature of the process. In this volume, we have chosen to discuss several of these steps, which we feel are clearly making a positive impact on the field of lymphomas and which soon should make a major difference in therapeutic results."

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-? is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in a va- ety of physiological and pathological processes. After initial discovery of its ability to induce cell death and animal cachexia, it was soon realized that this cytokine played pivotal roles in the regulation of homeostasis and inflam- tory-immune responses. This led to an explosion of interest in basic and tra- lational research activities on the role of TNF in many diseases, such as cancer, septic shock, rheumatoid arthritis, and infectious diseases of the central n- vous system. Because of its potential therapeutic value, many academic and industrial research groups have worked to discover compounds that can block its activity. These studies have led to the approval of anti-TNF antibodies and soluble TNF receptors for the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's d- ease. TNF also can be an attractive anticancer agent capable of damaging tum- associated vessels and of inducing tumor necrosis in patients. The unique properties of TNF have led to its registration as a drug for locoregional tre- ment of sarcomas of the extremities, and stimulated many preclinical studies aimed at improving its therapeutic index for systemic use. Tumor Necrosis Factor: Methods and Protocols provides an overview of basic and translational research along with a series of practical procedures on TNF production, characterization, mutagenesis, detection in biological spe- mens, as well as several in vitro assays and animal models for studying the role of TNF in various diseases.

There is no doubt that the advent of immunocytochemical techniques, by enhancing our ability to detect specific cell products or markers, has opened new avenues in the understanding of human diseases, and in our ability to perform better diagnosis in surgical pathology. The rapid development of this field has resulted in thousands of publications in the literature regarding immunocytochemistry in diagnostic pathology. This explosion of knowledge makes necessary publications summarizing what are the main markers available and how they can be used in the diagnosis of tumors. The need of a more organized and structured knowledge was evident during the workshop in Immunocytochemistry of Tumor Diagnosis that took place in the City of Detroit an October 1984. This book is the result of that workshop in which 22 chapters are focusing an the main subject of differential diagnosis of tumors. Jose Russo, M.D. Editor xiii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank my many associates at the Michigan Cancer Foundation for their help in the preparation of this manuscript. I give thanks to Dr.

This sixth volume in the series Methods of Cancer Diagnosis, Therapy, and Prognosis discusses Ovarian Cancer, Renal Cancer, Urogenitary Cancer, Urinary Bladder Cancer, Cervical Uterine Cancer, Skin Cancer, Leukemia, Multiple Myeloma and Sarcoma. Both standard and emerging therapies for these cancers, written by expert oncologists/pathologists in this field, are included. This fully illustrated volume Identifies biomarkers based on genetic alterations for clear cell ovarian adenocarcinoma. Identifies subgroups of ovarian cancer by using differential gene expression. Includes the application of the power-Doppler imaging for distinguishing benign from malignant complex adrenal masses in ovarian cancer. Emphasizes the advantage of using cytoreduction surgery for diagnosing advanced ovarian cancer. Provides details on the treatment of kidney cancer with radiofrequency ablation, surgery, and chemotherapy. Explains the use of immunohistochemistry for diagnosing adenomatoid tumor of the adrenal gland. Discusses the chemotherapy of testicular cancer and related second primary tumors. Includes the diagnosis of urothelial bladder cancer with urine-based tumor markers. Explains the use of immunohistochemistry and MRI for diagnosing uterine cervical cancer and describes the staging of this cancer using PET alone or PET/CT. Describes the localization of malignant melanoma using FDG-PET/CT. Explains the use of prognostic receptors for nonmelanoma skin cancer. Details the treatment of multiple myeloma using immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted radionuclide therapy. Presents diagnostic immunohistochemistry of synovial and Kaposi's sarcoma. The technological advances presented in this volume are expected to expedite new discoveries and their translation to clinical practice. The field of oncology will benefit the most from these advanced methods, as a combination of therapies and personalized medicine will improve early detection of thes

Psychosocial Resource Variables in Cancer Studies reviews the literature on selected psychosocial resource variables in cancer in order to raise and examine conceptual and methodological issues and to offer suggestions for future directions in the field. It provides investigators and clinicians with a systematic treatment of the state of the art in research on specific resource factors and provides a careful consideration of more generic methodological and statistical issues in this research context.Editors Curbow and Somerfield define resources as aspects of a person or environment that are brought to bear on the maintenance or restoration of adaptation under taxing conditions. They hope Psychosocial Resource Variables in Cancer Studies is just the beginning of an ongoing discussion within the field of psychosocial oncology on the nature and use of resource variables. The book's topics are crucial since researchers appear to be committed to using resource variables to explain outcomes. Also, resource variables are increasingly considered as explanatory concepts in quality-of-life research.Psychosocial Resource Variables in Cancer Studies offers critical reviews of the major resource variables investigated in contemporary psychosocial oncology research. It provides timely information on vital issues in this research, emphasizing studies of the influence of personal and social resources on adaptation to cancer. Chapters cover topics such as: the use of resource variables in the explanation of individual differences in adaptation to cancer and cancer treatment theories, measures, and methodological issues in the use of perceived control the use of the transactional model of coping to examine issues surrounding coping and the management of cancer demands religion and spirituality as resources in coping with cancer social support in adaptation to cancer and survival the clinical usefulness of research on psychosocial resources major measures of psychological functioning in psychosocial oncology research statistical and analytical issues in the use of resource variables roles of qualitative and quantitative approaches in exploring resource variablesThe editors begin with an overview of the oncology field and offer comments on issues that can be generalized to all psychosocial resource variables. Next is a presentation of a series of review papers on selected resource variables, including perceived control, coping, religion and spirituality, and social support, followed by a discussion of the clinical utility of research on these resource variables. The book concludes with a discussion of important cross-cutting methodological issues, including the selection of psychological functioning outcome measures, the statistical analysis of resource variables, and quantitative versus qualitative approaches.Psychosocial Reource Variables in Cancer is a valuable reference and guide for health psychologists, clinical health psychologists, clinical social workers in oncology, medical sociologists, medical anthropologists, and oncology nurses. It may also serve as important reading material for courses in health psychology, physiological factors in health and illness, personality and diseases, and stress and coping.

Folate pathways are essential in metabolism and macromolecule synthesis. Antifolate drugs that are largely transported via a high capacity folate transporter (i.e. the reduced-folate carrier) and inhibit folate-dependent enzymes include the dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, methotrexate, and the thymidylate synthase inhibitors, raltitrexed and pemetrexed. Major advances in folate research made within the last decade include (i) the approval of pemetrexed for the treatment of lung cancer and mesothelioma, and (ii) the demonstration that cell membrane-anchored folate receptors (FR) are exploitable for cancer and inflammatory disease management. FRs are not widely distributed in normal tissues, except on some luminal surfaces; however, they are accessible to systemically administered agents when expressed on many cancers as well as on activated macrophages involved in various inflammatory diseases. High affinity folate-radioisotope conjugates have been developed for imaging pathogenic FR-positive diseases, including cancer. Since the FR transports folates via a low capacity but high affinity endocytic pathway, a variety of FR-targeted antifolate drugs and folate conjugates bearing a wide range of payloads (including cytotoxic drugs) are currently being developed which exploit this property. The FR is also being utilized in immunotherapy approaches for the treatment of overexpressing cancers.

Chemotherapy has made a dramatic difference to improved survival in patients with cancer. However, not all patients respond and some experience serious side effects.

"Pharmacogenetics: Making cancer treatment safer and more effective" is an up to date summary of the exciting new field of how genetic testing can tailor more effective prescription in oncology.

It is targeted at oncologists and professionals involved in the treatment of patients with cancer. It provides a core background in genetics and pharmacological principles before providing chapters from acknowledged experts in the field on genetic tests in specific cancer types, including breast, bowel and lung cancer. Clinical cases are used to illustrate the practical application of this knowledge.

Chapters on ethics, health economics and the industry aspects of pharmacogenetics set out the challenges and opportunities afforded by this new science.

This volume focuses on the laboratory and clinical experience with targeting viral onco-antigens, while also reviewing the approaches to targeting self-cancer antigens in cancers of non-viral origin, where self-tolerance has been a challenge. It emphasizes the importance of selecting the right vaccine platform to induce a successful immune response against cancer antigens. In addition, the volume discusses the advances made with genetic vaccines, including recent advances with DNA vaccines and the rapid transition of mRNA vaccines from the laboratory to bedside. The new avenues opening up for cancer immunotherapy underline the importance of combinational approaches using cancer vaccines with costimulatory antibodies, which may dramatically improve cancer treatment. This book is intended for all translational researchers and clinicians who aspire to develop novel vaccination approaches for cancer patients with unmet clinical needs.

In recent years, serine proteases and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have gained considerable attention in tumor biology. For most of these proteases, their expression is a reliable indication of ongoing tissue remodeling. This book provides a comprehensive evaluation of the mechanisms of action of proteases and their inhibitors in tumor biology. The first part provides the reader with a selective overview of the molecular biology of serine proteases, MMPs and their physiological inhibitors. The most important proteases and their physiological as well as synthetic inhibitors are evaluated in the most relevant models of experimental and human cancer. The clinical aspects are also taken into account.
This volume offers an update on this challenging aspect of cancer treatment, its interest bias, and possible clinical implication.

The book provides a comprehensive overview of the current state, and the new concepts for the future directions of modern cancer therapy. Bringing together all the relevant aspects from basic and applied science, and the clinical experiences of this new direction in medicine, it is an up-to-date summary of the activities in the field and will be the basis for evaluating future progress in this area.

Rapid progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cell growth and oncogenesis during the past decade. This book comprises recent results on the regulation of cell growth in normal and neoplastic tissues by growth factors including hormones, and by the activation and inactivation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, respectively. Special attention has been given to the presentation of the frequently neglected close correlation between changes in signal transduction and metabolism pathways during oncogenesis.

Representing the most relevant procedures and technologies aiding the advance of the field of HPV-mediated carcinogenesis of the cervix and other anatomical regions of squamocolumnar transition, such as the anorectum, penis, and oropharynx, Cervical Cancer: Methods and Protocols compiles a detailed collection of practical chapters. The first half of the book covers HPV types, pathogenesis of cervical cancer (CxCA), prevention, and novel potential drug targets, while the second half explores pathology, genomics, modeling of CxCA, and experimental therapeutic strategies. 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. Authoritative and vital, Cervical Cancer: Methods and Protocols serves as a valuable resource to both bench scientists and clinicians who step into the realm of high-risk HPVs and CxCA for the first time or those who wish to learn novel approaches or expand their toolbox for the study of CxCA.

This book describes all human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines that have been established and that grow continuously under standardised in vitro conditions. These lines are derived from cells belonging to all the major hematopoietic cell lineages, i.e. B- and T-lymphocytes, natural killer cells, granulocytic cells and megakaryocytic cells. The clinical data, the culture conditions and the major phenotypic features of the cell lines are described with citations. This book is the first book describing human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines and will be of interest to scientists involved in the areas of hematology, oncology, immunology, molecular biology and cytogenetics. Cancer Cell Lines, Volumes 1-3: These 3 volumes provide a comprehensive text on the culture of established cell lines from every type of human cancer. The volumes provide a basic manual and reference resource for every cancer research scientist using human cancer cells.

In recent years, increasing evidence has suggested that abnormal activation of signaling pathways is a critical event in cancer pathogenesis. In particular, activation of these pathways can lead to inappropriate cellular survival, proliferation, pluripotency, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Thus, understanding the mechanisms by which signaling pathways become subverted in a cancer cell can provide insight into critical events in cancer pathogenesis. Furthermore, as our ability to target specific molecular interactions advances, we now have the ability to design small molecules, protein therapeutics, and other forms of targeted therapies. By focusing on the specific molecular abnormalities in a cancer cell, these agents hold the potential to be much more effective and much less toxic than current cytotoxic therapies.

Patients with a variety of tumors present to the physician because of clinical manifestations of hormones secreted in excess. This phenomenon attracted the investigative interest of such pioneers as Harvey Cushing who recognized that pituitary tumors may cause acromegaly and Charles Mayo who associated hyper tension with adrenal medullary neoplasms. Current int rest in endocrine-related tumors has intensified because of the explosive development of newer methodol ogy for their study. Specific measurements of secretory products, hybridization assays to identify products of genomic translation and quantitative assessment of tissue hormone receptors have provided means of characterizing and precisely following patients with endocrine-related tumors. Treatments based upon these advances are rapidly proliferating. The current volume attempts to synthesize much of this recent information with the goal of providing a sound basis for making clinical judgements regarding diagnosis and management. Tumors of endocrine glandular tissues commonly confront practicing physi cians with difficult management problems. Several unique features of these tumors necessitate collaboration among various specialty disciplines in order to resolve these problems and to provide a high level of clinical care. For example, endocrine neoplasms secrete active hormones or hormone precursors which produce clinical manifestations most familiar to endocrinologists. Certain thera pies such as radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer take advantage of the hormone responsiveness of these tumors to facilitate treatment. These aspects require individuals trained in endocrinology to implement complex diagnostic and thera peutic maneuvers."

Because of its relative rarity and favorable outcome, it has not been feasible to assess medical interventions for thyroid cancer using randomized prospective trials. The approach to diagnosis and treatment relies to a great extent on information derived from retrospective studies. Overall prognosis and survival rates have been edging upward over the past two decades. This is attributed to a wider acceptance of total thyroidectomy as the primary surgical strategy. The appropriate indication of radioiodine therapy remains controversial, and physicians must be familiar with staging criteria to make educated decisions. We are now beginning to understand the genetic mechanisms of thyroid tumor initiation and progression. There are still major challenges ahead. Thyroid Cancer provides comprehensive updates on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of thyroid neoplasms. Although the material should be of particular interest to scholars in the field, the contributors have striven to make it of practical use to physicians who treat patients with thyroid disease.

This thesis documents the development of a multifunctional nanoparticle system to enhance the chemotherapeutic efficiency of anti-cancer drugs, and contributes to research that helps decrease the side-effects in cancer patients while simultaneously increasing their survival rates. The work begins with an introduction to nanomedicine and cancer therapy, and contains a literature review on magnetic, gold, and core-shell nanoparticles. It also covers synthesis techniques, properties, various surface modifications, and the importance of magnetic and gold nanoparticles. The author dedicates a chapter to characterization techniques, experimental setup, and cell cultivation techniques for in-vitro studies. Further chapters describe the background, characterizations, and applications of multifunctional magnetite coated gold core-shell nanoparticles, and the doping of cobalt to magnetite and manganese to magnetite nanoparticles. The important highlight of this research was the control of the size, shape, composition, and surface chemistry of nanoparticles.