This book provides the reader with a multidisciplinary approach that is state of the art and reflects input from the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society and the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society. In particular, the text focuses on the pathophysiology of neuroendocrine tumors and includes a comprehensive review of the most recent developments in understanding the complex hormone and receptor signaling that is important for the future development of potent pharmacological treatments. The volume reviews the pathological grading and staging systems providing useful clinical information for the treating clinician as well as a useful reference for pathologists. The clinical management of neuroendocrine tumors is reviewed enabling the treating physician to understand the diagnostic approaches to differentiating the various types of neuroendocrine tumors. In addition, the treatments are reviewed in great detail and include novel radiological, surgical, and chemotherapeutic approaches. The reader will utilize this book as both a comprehensive and quick reference guide through the use of diagnostic and treatment algorithms. Written by international experts in their particular field of study, Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors will be of great value to medical oncologists, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists, surgeons, and diagnostic and interventional radiologists.

This book describes the newest developments in antibody drug conjugates and immunotoxins, paving their way to clinical application. Lessons learned from the current state of the art are used to further improve our understanding of their mechanisms of action and off target activities. The book introduces scientists to all of the prerequisites that must be properly addressed, including identification of the right target, specific traits of target binding antibodies, proper selection of the toxic payload, internalization induced by binding, and next generation conjugation and linker technologies. These knowledge-based, revolutionary new drug principles will form the cornerstone of the future standard of care and will lead to major advances in application, as well as improved quality of life and patient survival rates. This book will be of interest to biotech companies and researchers working in the fields of immunology, pharmacology, and oncology.

The Integrated Control of Cell Proliferation and Cell Viability; G.I. Evan, et al. Control of Invasive Cell Growth by the MET Family Oncogenes; F. Galimi, P.M. Comoglio. Src Family Kinases and the Cell Cycle; S.A. Courtneidge. p16 Family Inhibitors of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases; Y. Li, et al. p53-Mediated Apoptosis: Regulatory and Mechanistic Aspects; Y. Haupt, et al. The Molecular Genetics of Wilms Tumor; J. Pelletier, et al. HTLV-1 Tax: A Paradigm for How a Single Auxiliary Factor Can Regulate the Expression of Viral and Cellular Genes; G. Perini, M.R. Green. CREM: Transcriptional Pacemaker of the cAMP Response; J.S. Lee, et al. MADS-domain transcription Factor and Their Accessory Proteins (TCFs): Nuclear Targets for Growth Control Signals; M.A. Cahill, et al. Retinoblastoma Protein, Gene Expression, and Cell Cycle Control; J.C. Azizkhan, et al. Cyclin A-kinase Binding to and Regulation of the Function of a Growth-Promoting Transcription Factor; W. Krek, et al. Homeostatic Mechanisms Governing the Go hase as Defined by the Gas Genes; C. Schneider, et al. The TEL Gene and Human Leukemias; T.R. Golub, et al. Characterization of the TCLI Gene and Its Involvement in T-Cell Malignancies; L. Virgilio, et al. 3 Additional Articles. Index.

The molecular and genetic signatures of cancer are represented in the peripheral circulation and other body fluids, giving rise to the "liquid biopsy" concept. This new paradigm of molecular profiling of cancer cells offers several advantages over traditional tissue biopsy. It is convenient, noninvasive, conforms to current clinical practice, enables real time disease monitoring and the study of tumor evolution, can easily be sampled multiple times, and this sample is more representative of the heterogeneous cancer cells than biopsy sampling. Indeed, all aspects of cancer molecular genetic information, stemming from DNA (both nuclear and mitochondria), RNA (coding and noncoding), peptides and proteins, metabolites and lipids are present in body fluids as free, cell surface bound or enclosed in membrane vesicles, and are being harnessed for disease management. Additionally, circulating tumor, and tumor stem cells provide prognostic information, and also enable the study of the intricate molecular processes associated with metastasis and drug resistance. This treatise deals with the general principles of the molecular pathology of cancer, and its associated imprints in circulation. The transitional process from discovery, prototype development, translational research, to product development can be complex and costly. The critical path to biomarker development and qualification for successful use in drug development is detailed herein as well. This book is of interest to Cancer Researchers, Oncologists, Clinicians, Surgeons, Medical Students, Nurses, Diagnostic Laboratories, and Pharmaceutical Industries.

This book is exceptional in presenting an interdisciplinary approach to the subject of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the context of head and neck cancer. Leading experts in the field discuss the epidemiology and molecular biology of HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, HPV testing, the nonsurgical and surgical treatment of HPV-positive tumors, predictive factors for outcome and quality of life, and ongoing trials on the effectiveness of vaccination in disease prevention. It also provides recommendations for testing, diagnosis treatment and vaccination. Otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, molecular biologists and pathologists will find this book a valuable resource.

This volume provides a broad spectrum of research models, techniques, and protocols. Chapters are divided into sections providing detailed information on the background and context for the chosen topic of interest, a list of the necessary materials and reagents needed for each topic, as well as the step-by-step laboratory protocols and methodologies for the successful and reproducible execution of each topic. 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 practical, Inflammation and Cancer: Methods and Protocols aims to provide information to students and researchers at all levels of experience for further study into this vital field.

As late as the 1980s, breast cancer was a stigmatized disease, so much so that local reporters avoided using the word "breast" in their stories and early breast cancer organizations steered clear of it in their names. But activists with business backgrounds began to partner with corporations for sponsored runs and cause-marketing products, from which a portion of the proceeds would benefit breast cancer research. Branding breast cancer as "pink"-hopeful, positive, uncontroversial-on the products Americans see every day, these activists and corporations generated a pervasive understanding of breast cancer that is widely shared by the public and embraced by policymakers. Clearly, they have been successful: today, more Americans know that the pink ribbon is the symbol of breast cancer than know the name of the vice president. Hiding Politics in Plain Sight examines the costs of employing market mechanisms-especially cause marketing-as a strategy for change. Patricia Strach suggests that market mechanisms do more than raise awareness of issues or money to support charities: they also affect politics. She shows that market mechanisms, like corporate-sponsored walks or cause-marketing, shift issue definition away from the contentious processes in the political sphere to the market, where advertising campaigns portray complex issues along a single dimension with a simple solution: breast cancer research will find a cure and Americans can participate easily by purchasing specially-marked products. This market competition privileges even more specialized actors with connections to business. As well, cooperative market activism fundamentally alters the public sphere by importing processes, values, and biases of market-based action into politics. Market activism does not just bring social concerns into market transactions, it also brings market biases into public policymaking, which is inherently undemocratic. As a result, industry and key activists work cooperatively rather than contentiously, and they define issues as consensual rather than controversial, essentially hiding politics in plain sight.

This volume provides a thorough guide of the study of multiple myeloma (MM)-from sample acquisition to the performance of molecular tests, and also discusses difficulties that arise during quality control and interpretation of results. The chapters in this book cover topics, such as next-generation-flow-based methods for detection of minimal residual disease and circulating tumor cells; Cytometry by Time-of-Flights (CyTOF); a droplet digital PCR approach for finding contamination in patients' samples; genome-wide investigation of the methylation and hydroxymethylation status of cytosines; and a microfluidic approach for creating nanoparticles. 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. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Multiple Myeloma: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for molecular scientists and laboratory supervisors working with MM samples, and any investigator conducting studies in this field.

Breast Disease: Comprehensive Management provides a clear, concise source of information in order to make real-life, evidence-based decisions for all aspects of breast disease, both benign and malignant. The volume provides the latest breakthroughs in breast cancer research, ranging from paradigm shifts in the surgical management of the axilla, the changing role of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the impact of molecular medicine in decision-making and the controversial role of prophylactic mastectomy in our era. Within select chapters, "How I do it" clinical scenarios are supplied and described in very practical terms. Also included at the end of each chapter are synoptic questions with detailed answers, akin to the self-assessment (SESAP) format questions and answers. These questions provide a basis for continuous medical education (CME) for the practicing physician and surgeon, further in surgical oncology and breast surgery, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and breast radiologists enhancing a focused approach to the management of breast disease in preparation for the American Board of Surgery certification and re-certification for the general surgeon. Breast Disease: Comprehensive Management is of great value to general surgeons, breast surgeons, surgical oncologists, general surgery residents, and fellows.

One.- 1 Characterization.- 2 Serum-Free Media.- 3 Differentiation Potential of Cancer Cells.- 4 Spheroids and Xenografts.- 5 Predictive Assays for Drug and Radiation Resistance.- Two.- 6 Colorectum.- 7 Testicular Germ Cell Tumours.- 8 Epidermis.- 9 Lung Cancer.- 10 Brain.- 11 Ovarian Tumours.- 12 Prostate.- 13 Breast Cancer.

This book offers a complete overview on non colorectal non neuroendocrine (NCRNNE) liver metastases and describes in detail the currently available therapies. Each chapter focuses on the treatment of metastases from a particular primary malignancy and also provides valuable information on incidence, natural history and diagnosis. NCRNNE liver metastases are rare entities compared with colorectal and neuroendocrine metastases, for which the treatments are well codified. While more publications have appeared on the topic in recent years, an in-depth study has to date been lacking. Furthermore, most published series are insufficiently comparable as they comprise patients with NCRNNE hepatic metastases from a variety of primary malignancies and consequently overlook differences in tumor behavior, frequency of isolated hepatic metastases, response to neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy and interval between diagnosis of the primary tumor and the liver metastases. This book, with its more specific approach, will serve not only as an up-to-date guide to diagnosis and treatment but also as a reference on which to base future studies.

1. Prevention and Early Detection of Lung Cancer - Clinical Aspects.- 2. Smoking Prevention and Cessation.- 3. Clinical Pharmacology of Vitamin A and Retinoids.- 4. Early Lung Cancer Detection.- 5. Molecular Abnormalities in the Sequential Development of Lung Carcinoma.- 6. Application of In Situ PCR and In Situ Hybridization to the Characterization of Lung Cancers.- 7. Tumor Stroma Formation in Lung Cancer.- 8. Tumor Angiogenesis: Basis for New Prognostic Factors and New Anticancer Therapies.- 9. Cell Cycle Regulators and Mechanisms of Growth Control Evasion in Lung Cancer.- 10. Molecular Genetics of Lung Cancer.- 11. Neuropeptides, Signal Transduction and Small Cell Lung Cancer.- 12. In Vitro Analysis of Bombesin/Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor (bb2) Ligand Binding and G-Protein Coupling.- 13. DNA Methylation Changes in Lung Cancer.- 14. K-ras Mutations as Molecular Markers of Lung Cancer.- 15. Sheep Lung Adenomatosis: A Model of Virally Induced Lung Cancer.- 16. Retinoic Acid Receptor ss An Exploration of its Role in Lung Cancer Suppression and its Potential in Cancer Prevention.- 17. Cytochrome P450 Polymorphisms: Risk Factors for Lung Cancer?.- 18. Glutathione S-Transferases and Lung Cancer Risk.- 19. The p53 Tumor Suppressor Gene in Lung Cancer: From Molecular to Serological Diagnosis.- 20. Endoscopic Localization of Preneoplastic Lung Lesions.- 21. Antigen Retrieval Improves hnRNP A2/B1 Immunohisto-chemical Localization in Premalignant Lesions of the Lung.- 22. Molecular Pathological Mechanisms in NSCLC and the Assessment of Individuals with a High Risk of Developing Lung Cancer.- 23. Chemoprevention of Lung Cancer.- 24. Regional Delivery of Retinoids: A New Approach to Early Lung Cancer Intervention.- 25. Natural Inhibitors of Carcinogenesis.- 26. Gene Delivery to Airways.- 27. Lung Cancer Prevention: The Point of View of a Public Health Epidemiologist.- 28. Biomarkers as Intermediate Endpoints in Chemoprevention Trials: Biological Basis of Lung Cancer Prevention.- 29. Biological Tools for Mass Screening.- 30. Optimization of the Use of Biological Samples for the Prospective Evaluation of Preneoplastic Lesions.

This volume explores the latest developments in the study of the mechanisms, diagnostics, screening methods, and therapeutics of colorectal cancer. The book's chapters are divided into three parts: the chapters in Part One examine techniques used to study the molecular mechanisms in colorectal cancer development and progression. Part Two focuses on the innovative tools used to diagnose and detect cancer lesions in the early stages of cancer. Finally, Part Three discusses recent advancements in treating colorectal tumors and identifying new therapeutic molecules for treatment. 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. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Colorectal Cancer: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for any scientist and researcher interested in this field of study.

During vertebrate hematopoiesis many specialized cell types are formed with vastly different functions such as B cells, T cells, granulocytes, macrophages, erythrocytes and megakaryocytes. To tightly control the enormous proliferative potential of developing blood cells, an intricately balanced signaling and transcription network has evolved that ensures that the different cell types are formed at the right time and in the right numbers. Intricate regulatory mechanisms ensure that blood cells function properly and have a determined life span. Moreover, in the adaptive immune system, long-lived memory cells have evolved that ensure that when pathogens have been seen once they will never cause a problem again. In this book we will therefore make a journey from asking how more primitive organisms use the epigenetic regulatory machinery to balance growth with differentiation control towards digging deep into what controls the function of specialized cells of the human immune system. We will first discover that flies make blood but exist without blood vessels, why fish make blood cells in the kidney and which precise genetic circuitries are required for these developmental pathways. We will then learn the regulatory principles that drive the differentiation of mature blood cells from stem cells and what controls their function in mammals. In the process, we will find out what unites hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial cells. Finally, we will shed light on the molecular mechanisms that either alter hematopoietic cell differentiation or lead to the development of cells with impaired function.

Revealing essential roles of the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression, this volume focuses on the extracellular matrix components of the tumor during cancer development. Further, it teaches readers about the roles of distinct constituents of the tumor microenvironment and how they affect cancer development. Topics include heparan sulphate, hyaluronan, fibronectin, perlecan, glypican, matrix metalloproteinases, and much more. Taken alongside its companion volumes, Tumor Microenvironment: Extracellular Matrix Components - Part A updates us on what we know about the different aspects of the tumor microenvironment, as well as apprises us on the future advances in the field. For the newest generation of researchers, this volume serves as a useful introduction to the history of scientists' focus on the tumor microenvironment, and explores how this knowledge is currently applied in cancer treatments. The book is an essential text for advanced cell biology and cancer biology students, as well as for scientists seeking an update on the developments in tumor microenvironment research. All of the chapter authors are renowned international experts in the field of cancer biology, and in the specific subfields that are the focus of their chapters.

This collection of papers offers a broad synopsis of state-of-the-art mathematical methods used in modeling the interaction between tumors and the immune system. These papers were presented at the four-day workshop on Mathematical Models of Tumor-Immune System Dynamics held in Sydney, Australia from January 7th to January 10th, 2013. The workshop brought together applied mathematicians, biologists, and clinicians actively working in the field of cancer immunology to share their current research and to increase awareness of the innovative mathematical tools that are applicable to the growing field of cancer immunology. Recent progress in cancer immunology and advances in immunotherapy suggest that the immune system plays a fundamental role in host defense against tumors and could be utilized to prevent or cure cancer. Although theoretical and experimental studies of tumor-immune system dynamics have a long history, there are still many unanswered questions about the mechanisms that govern the interaction between the immune system and a growing tumor. The multidimensional nature of these complex interactions requires a cross-disciplinary approach to capture more realistic dynamics of the essential biology. The papers presented in this volume explore these issues and the results will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in a variety of fields within mathematical and biological sciences.

This text highlights the endogenous regenerative potential of the central nervous system in neonates and juveniles and discusses possible ways it might be manipulated for medical purposes. The first section provides a descriptive summary of the salient steps of human brain development with a discussion of comparisons with other mammalian brains. It also provides a historical perspective on our understanding of ongoing brain development throughout the lifespan and serve to introduce the concept of brain plasticity following injury. The second part is devoted to the endogenous reparative potential of the brain, including its limitations, and articles focusing on defined pathologies (e.g. anoxia/hypoxia, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury and stress) in animal models and in humans pinpoint eventual ways these pathologies might be manipulated. The third and final focuses on the "dark side" of stem cells for brain repair or of the manipulation of spontaneous adaptive events after injury (e.g. genomic instability, sensitization to cancerous transformation and defective neural networks).

Adipocytokines provide the circuitry by which adipose tissue communicates among its component cells which include adipocytes, stromal cells, immune cells and vascular elements, with adipose tissue depots in other locations throughout the body and with other tissues in order to regulate physiologic processes of energy intake, utilization, and distribution. Since disturbances, both qualitative and quantitative, in adipocytokine function contribute significantly to many of the comorbidities associated with obesity, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, this volume, which discusses most of the major adipocytokines independently and collectively and their roles in normal and pathologic processes, should be useful to all individuals seeking a deeper understanding of these processes. Moreover, it provides a valuable complement to the series on Energy Balance and Cancer, in which each volume is focused on a specific aspect of this process, which now constitutes an expanding problem as the obesity pandemic continues and more of the population reaches the age where cancer is most prevalent. This volume should provide a valuable resource to all clinicians and scientists engaged in caring for susceptible patients and in exploring the relation between energy balance and cancer as well as an important platform to providing the background for research development.

This thesis mainly focuses on the design and synthesis of novel multifunctional nanoprobes, investigating their feasibility for applications involving sensing, molecular imaging, and the simultaneous diagnosis and therapy of cancer. Above all, it discusses the development of innovative nanomaterials to address the issues limiting the effectiveness of currently available nanoprobes such as the synthesis shortcoming and poor performance in sensing, imaging and therapeutic applications. One of the strengths of this thesis is its integration of knowledge from chemistry, materials science and biomedicine. Further, it presents the theoretical fundamentals in the design of nanoprobes, which can offer guidance for future studies on the development of novel multifunctional nanomaterials with significantly enhanced performance.

This book explains omics at the most basic level, including how this new concept can be properly utilized in molecular and systems biology research. Most reviews and books on this topic have mainly focused on the technicalities and complexity of each omics' platform, impeding readers to wholly understand its fundamentals and applications. This book tackles such gap and will be most beneficial to novice in this area, university students and even researchers. Basic workflow and practical guidance in each omics are also described, such that scientists can properly design their experimentation effectively. Furthermore, how each omics platform has been conducted in our institute (INBIOSIS) is also detailed, a comprehensive example on this topic to further enhance readers' understanding. The contributors of each chapter have utilized the platforms in various manner within their own research and beyond. The contributors have also been interactively integrated and combined these different omics approaches in their research, being able to systematically write each chapter with the conscious knowledge of other inter-relating topics of omics. The potential readers and audience of this book can come from undergraduate and postgraduate students who wish to extend their comprehension in the topics of molecular biology and big data analysis using omics platforms. Furthermore, researchers and scientists whom may have expertise in basic molecular biology can extend their experimentation using the omics technologies and workflow outlined in this book, benefiting their research in the long run.