This volume covers the topics presented at the 3rd International Conference on Tumor Microenvironment and Cellular Stress by an international community of researchers. The conference brings together scientists to discuss different cellular and animal models of tumor microenvironment study and identify common pathways that are candidates for therapeutic intervention; stimulate collaboration between groups that are more focused on elucidation of biochemical aspects of stress biology (e.g., HIF regulation) and groups that study the pathophysiological aspects of stress pathways or engaged in drug discovery; and critically evaluate novel targets for imaging or therapeutic intervention that would be of use to the tumor microenvironment community and pharmaceutical industry.

This book is meant to provide a complete overview of the research of HPV and its connection to cervical cancer.

This volume discusses certain epigenetic changes recognized in early carcinogenic lesions and different tumors, as well as factors that alter the epigenome and epigenetic profile such as diet, alcohol, immunity, circadian rhythm, and more. The chapters in this book further delve into this field and cover topics such as epigenome-based precision medicine in lung cancer; interplay between genetic and epigenetic changes in breast cancer subtypes; genetic regulation of PDCD1 gene in cancer immunology; and pyrosequencing methylation analysis. 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 authoritative, Cancer Epigenetics for Precision Medicine: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource to help researchers and scientists identify these specific biomarkers and work towards the prevention, diagnosis, and prognosis of different cancers in the future.

This is the ideal book for anyone contemplating starting a career in, or shifting their career to, studying the dynamics that drive cancer progression and its response to therapy. Topics include the theory and population genetics of cancers, genetic diversity within tumors (intra-tumor heterogeneity), understanding how mutant clones expand in tissues, the role of cancer stem cells in the dynamics of tumors, the evolution of metastasis, and how to improve cancer therapy by addressing the evolution of cancers in response to our interventions. There are also chapters on the patterns of cancer susceptibility in humans due to a mismatch between our modern environment and the environment in which our ancestors evolved, as well as a chapter on the evolution of cancer suppression mechanisms that have evolved in different species, particularly the large long-lived animals like elephants and whales that are better at suppressing cancers than humans. This book serves as a primer on the evolutionary and ecological theory of cancer- the framework upon which all the details of cancer may be hung. It is ideal for oncologists and cancer researchers interested in evolutionary theory, and evolutionary biologists and ecologists interested in gaining insights into cancer development and prevention.

This issue compiled by Dr. Nancy Berliner focuses on such topics as: A History of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Or What the Children have Taught Us; HLA-haploidentical Donor Transplantation in Severe Combined Immunodeficiency; Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplantation in Primary Immune Deficiency: Stem Cell Selection and Manipulation; Suffering from Severe Combined Immunodeficiency; Herpes Viruses in Transplant Recipients: HSV, VZV, Human Herpes Viruses, and EBV; and Immunotherapy and Vaccination After Transplant: The Present, the Future.?

The seventh in Springer's landmark series of edited volumes on one of the highest-profile subjects in contemporary medicine and scientific endeavour, this volume sets out to cover a staggering range of research into the medical applications of stem cell research. While stem cells are the very stuff of life for multicellular organisms, including us humans, the cancer stem cell is a morbid entity with a robust resistance to therapies including conventional chemotherapy. This authoritative publication explains the regenerative potential of stem cells and their mesenchymal progeny, reviewing clinical applications of the latter in the treatment of cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative pathologies. It covers the entire range of stem cells with known potential for therapeutic use, from human embryonic to germ cell-derived pluripotent stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells. The chapters also deal with the role of TGF-beta in propagating human embryonic stem cells, and in facilitating their differentiation. Featuring discussions of molecular signaling pathways that modulate mesenchymal stem cell self-renewal and much more, this book is certain to have broad appeal among academicians and physicians alike.

Cancer is a multifaceted disease and overwhelmingly increasing experimental evidence has helped us to develop a deeper understanding of the role of signal transduction cascades in cancer development and progression. Tissue microarrays and next generation sequencing technologies have assisted us to gather missing pieces of jigsaw puzzle and we now know that deregulation of spatio-temporally controlled signaling cascades play fundamental role in metastasis and resistance against wide ranging therapeutics. This book offers a balanced overview of the rapidly emerging cutting edge research in molecular oncology and good source of knowledge for established oncologists, basic and medical students and pharmaceutical industry associated R&D departments.

Incidentalomas, or tumors discovered unintentionally by radiologists, are a problem that all radiologists face in their practice. This issue provides not only an overview of neoplasms of the CNS, liver, chest, kidneys, pancreas, and adrenal glands commonly discovered during radiologic examinations but also provides a framework for understanding the legal implications and cost considerations involved for radiologists.

Advances in molecular biology over the last several decades are being steadily applied to our understanding of the molecular biology of cancer, and these advances in knowledge are being translated into the clinical practice of oncology. This volume explores some of the most exciting recent advances in basic research on the molecular biology of cancer and how this knowledge is leading to advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer.

* This series provides a forum for discussion of new discoveries, approaches, and ideas * Contributions from leading scholars and industry experts * Reference guide for researchers involved in molecular biology and related fields

The book is based on lectures presented on the International Summer School on Biophysics held in Croatia in September 2009. The advantage of the School is that it provides advanced training in very broad scope of areas related to biophysics contrary to other similar schools or workshops that are centered mainly on one topic or technique. In this volume, tenth in the row, the papers in the field of biophysics are presented. The topics are biological phenomena from single protein to macromolecular aggregations structure by using variant physical methods (NMR, EPR, FTIR, Mass Spectrometry, etc.). The interrelationship of supramolecular structures and their functions is enlightened by applications of principals of these physical methods in the biophysical and molecular biology context.

"Advances in Cancer Research" provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. Here, once again, outstanding and original reviews are presented on a variety of topics.

This book will provide the latest advances in molecular and cellular biology for establishing the foundation of a complete understanding of the mechanisms of breast differentiation leading to cancer prevention. The authors are based on the epidemiological evidence indicating that early first full term pregnancy is a protective factor in human against breast cancer and they have used this paradigm and developed experimental systems in both in vivo and in vitro that have demonstrated mechanistically how the differentiation at the organ and cellular level takes place. This knowledge has provided the blueprint for developing better understanding of the basis of cancer prevention. The transcriptoma analysis of the breast of pre and post-menopausal women has established a genomic signature imprinted in the breast that differs according to the reproductive history of the woman showing that early first full term pregnancy reprogram the organ. This reprogramming takes place at the chromatin level by changing the transcriptional process. The modification of the transcriptional control is due to the expression of non coding RNA sequences and posttranscriptional control driven by the splicesome. The plasticity of the genome of the human breast make possible this reprogramming that is not only induced by the physiological process of pregnancy but by the use of hormones that mimic pregnancy without pregnancy. The author have established the basis of clinical trials for prevention and the discovery that short 15aa peptides of the chorionic gonadotropin hormone can be used in human breast cancer prevention based on preclinical and clinical data.

Adding to a vitally important cycle of publications covering the latest research developments in our understanding of neoplasms affecting the human central nervous system, this edition focuses on numerous aspects of pineal, pituitary, and spinal tumors. As with the previous volumes in the series, this latest work addresses a central imperative in cancer research the need to standardize classifications, written definitions and investigative guidelines in order to achieve a measure of shared objectivity among academics engaged in one of the most important medical endeavors of our era. It brings together the very latest work by oncologists, neurosurgeons, physicians, research scientists, and pathologists, providing the medical community with a wealth of data and results that, taken together, will advance the cause of cancer research. The volume synthesizes work on diagnosis, drug development, and therapeutic approaches that are typically scattered in a variety of journals and books. It features promising recent work in applying molecular genetics to clinical practice and evidence-based therapy, covering molecular profiling of tumors as well as a number of surgical treatments such as resection and radiosurgery. Together with its counterpart publications, it represents a much-needed central resource that will inform and guide future research efforts."

"Advances in Cancer Research" provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. Here, once again, outstanding and original reviews are presented on a variety of topics.

Androgens and androgen receptors (AR) play critical roles in the development and progression of prostate cancer, the most frequently diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer death in US males. AR is an androgen-dependent DNA-binding transcription factor that regulates the expression of androgen-responsive genes. Identification and characterization of androgen-responsive genes provide insights into the cellular mechanisms of androgen action and may lead to new approaches in diagnosis, prognosis, prevention and/or treatment of prostate cancer. This volume provides critical information from well respected experts in the field. Some of the exciting topics include the new understanding of mechanisms underlining the regulation of androgen-responsive gene expression, and functions of various androgen-responsive genes in biological processes essential in carcinogenesis including cell growth, angiogenesis, and epithelial-to-mesenchyme transition (EMT). Other important aspects addressed are the current and potential clinic applications of knowledge on androgen-responsive gene regulation and function. This book is intended for researchers, scientists, faculty, and advanced graduate students with an interest in androgen action and prostate cancer.

This two-part issue of Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America provides the endocrinologist with comprehensive essential updates about tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic system.? Topics covered include the history and development of the gastroenteropancreatic endocrine axis; the changing face and epidemiology of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs); chromogranins current state of the art, pathology of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) disorders; new and emerging syndromes related to gastrointestinal (GI) hormones; an update on incretins; prospects for ghrelin in the clinic, obesity/appetite and hedonism; GI motility disorders; gastric bypass and GI hormones; pancreatic exocrine function and GI hormones; harnessing the pancreatic stem cell; how to diagnose NETs before there are METs; NETs in kids: combining the SEER data for children and adults with site differences; novel biomarkers for NETs; standard imaging techniques for NETs; novel peptide imaging: glucagon receptor; signaling mechanism in NETs as targets for therapy; update on clinical trials; nutrition and the GEP; peptide radiotherapy; in vitro analysis of NETs: the role of angiogenesis; modern lab evaluation of peptide and amines: a continuing role for radioimmunoassay?; surgery/surgical management of NETs; and evaluation and quality of life in NETs patients.

Positron emission tomography (PET) has been approved for the diagnosis and staging of gynecologic malignancies for several years now.? This issue reviews the imaging of cervical, uterine, and endometrial cancers.? There is also an articles on the uses of PET/CT for imaging normal and abnormal anatomy, as well as gynecologic imaging using other modalities.? Lastly this issue contains a review of newer radionuclide tracers currently in development.

This volume, with chapters written by experts in the field of cancerous tumors, details the key factors associated with liquid biopsies in solid tumors: blood-based diagnostics; circulating tumor cells; enumeration and molecular analysis (association with breast cancer); epithelialmesenchymal transition; detection and monitoring; circulating-free tumor DNA; CTCs and ctDNA; and the exosome. The field of blood-based diagnostics is rapidly evolving demonstrating the possibility of real-time molecular analysis of cancer cells and their phenotype and genotype. Circulating Tumor Cell (CTCs) have demonstrated prognostic and predictive value in advanced cancer and represents a source of tumor cells for transcriptome and genomic analysis. Most recently, the detection of genomic abnormalities in the peripheral blood by sensitive and selective PCR methods (liquid biopsy) opened to the option of a comprehensive blood-based tumor analysis. Similar information can be obtained by analysis of exosome, a natural packaging and messaging system being explored in advanced malignancies. The final frontier is the evaluation of immune cells determinant of innate and adaptive immunity.

This issue serves as a timely review of both the genetic and genomic factors resulting in a predisposition to human cancer.? There is now strong evidence to support the use of genetic testing for cancer predisposition in the practice of preventive medicine, and at the same time, there is emerging new literature defining the role of genomic approaches to assessment of cancer predisposition.? Articles address predisposition syndromes in the areas of breast cancer, lower GI cancer, genitourinary cancer, pediatric cancer, endocrine cancer, and hematologic malignancy.

This book provides multidisciplinary reviews of the mechanism of action and uses of methotrexate in the treatment of cancer, psoriasis, gynecologic and inflammatory diseases. The intended audience is composed of clinicians involved in the care of patients suffering from oncologic, gynecologic, rheumatic diseases as well as scientists involved in research into the pathogenesis and treatment of these diseases. This book is unique in that it provides a single, state-of-the-art source for information regarding the mechanism and use of methotrexate in many different areas of medicine.

This competence-building resource synthesizes a rich trove of conceptual and practical information on treating cancer survivors at risk of being underserved. Spotlighting a diverse group of ethnic and other demographic populations surviving diverse forms of cancer, the book models the assessing of needs and the developing of strategies to meet them. The multiple burden of cancer-medical and psychosocial problems, discrimination and stigma, quality of life issues-is described in depth as it affects different cultural and age populations. Contributors also present interventions that effectively and meaningfully address these complex intersections of physical, emotional, interpersonal, and layered social concerns. Included among the topics: Providing psychosocial distress screening, coping resources and self-care to newly diagnosed cancer survivors. Latino cancer survivors: the old and the young. An exploration of Latvian immigrants' cancer experience and implications for supportive interventions. Survivorship issues among Muslim women with cancer. How art therapy can benefit the quality of life of young breast cancer survivors. The family caregiver as cancer survivor: supporting and promoting positive bereavement outcomes. Unique among the survivor literature, Treating Vulnerable Populations of Cancer Survivors ably assists health psychologists, social workers, and nurses in providing services to patients facing special challenges during recovery.