This teaching monograph on systems approaches to cancer research and clinical applications provides a unique synthesis, by world-class scientists and doctors, of laboratory, computational, and clinical methods, thereby establishing the foundations for major advances not possible with current methods. Specifically, the book: 1) Sets the stage by describing the basis of systems biology and bioinformatics approaches, and the clinical background of cancer in a systems context; 2) Summarizes the laboratory, clinical, data systems analysis and bioinformatics tools, along with infrastructure and resources required; 3) Demonstrates the application of these tools to cancer research; 4) Extends these tools and methods to clinical diagnosis, drug development and treatment applications; and 5) Finishes by exploring longer term perspectives and providing conclusions. This book reviews the state-of-the-art, and goes beyond into new applications. It is written and highly referenced as a textbook and practical guide aimed at students, academics, doctors, clinicians, industrialists and managers in cancer research and therapeutic applications. Ideally, it will set the stage for integration of available knowledge to optimize communication between basic and clinical researchers involved in the ultimate fight against cancer, whatever the field of specific interest, whatever the area of activity within translational research.

Receptor Tyrosine Kinase: Structure, Functions and Role in Human Disease, for the first time, systematically covers the shared structural and functional features of the RTK family. Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) play critical roles in embryogenesis, normal physiology and several diseases. And over the last decade they have become the Number 1 targets of cancer drugs. To be able to conduct fundamental research or to attempt to develop pharmacological agents able to enhance or intercept them, it is essential first to understand the evolutionary origin of the 58 RTKs and their roles in invertebrates and in humans, as well as downstream signaling pathways. The assembly of chapters is written by experts and underscores commonalities between and among the RTKs. It is an ideal companion volume to The Receptor Tyrosine Kinase: Families and Subfamilies, which proceeds, family by family through all of the specific subfamilies of RTKs, along with their unique landmarks.

This volume discusses novel concepts in cancer biology, focusing on different factors that affect the tumor microenvironment. Topics covered include sex-based differences in the tumor microenironment, dormancy in the tumor microenvironment, the influence of obesity on the tumor microenvironment, and much more. Taken alongside its companion volumes, Tumor Microenvironment: Novel Concepts covers the latest research on various aspects of the tumor microenvironment, as well as future directions. Useful for introducing the newer generation of researchers to the history of how scientists studied the tumor microenvironment as well as how this knowledge is currently applied for cancer treatments, it will be essential reading for advanced cell biology and cancer biology students, as well as researchers seeking an update on research on the tumor microenvironment.

Describes the ability of a series of endocrine-derived compounds, i.e. CHRH, LHRH, somatostatin, anti-androgens, and aromatase inhibitors to exert a direct anti-neoplastic activity or to potentiate the activity of traditional chemotherapeutic agents on neuroendocrine and solid tumors. In addition, a new class of potent GH-releasers, GSHs/Ghrelin, endowed with important endocrine and extra-endcocrine action, is presented. Therefore, in addition to traditional chemotherapy, characterized by high toxicity and non-selective action on tumoral cells, the reader can find a new approach with more selective, less cytotoxic endocrine derived compounds.

This volume describes up-to-date techniques used in understanding the molecular biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and addressing advances in diagnosis, classification, prognostication, and therapeutic strategies to potentially impact overall patient survival. The chapters in this book cover topics such as: cytochemical staining, single-cell mass cytometry of AML and Leukemia stem/progenitor cells, microsphere-based assessment of DNA methylation for AML prognosis, a zebrafish model for evaluating the function of human leukemic gene IDH1 and its mutation, and the isolation of biologically active exosomes from plasma of patients with cancer. 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 practical, Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for scientists and researchers to further their studies and advancements in the field of AML.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of current state-of-the-art clinical physiological imaging of brain tumors. It focuses on the clinical applications of various modalities as they relate to brain tumor imaging, including techniques such as blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic source imaging/magnetoencephalography, magnetic resonance perfusion imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging, amide proton transfer imaging, high angular resolution diffusion imaging, and molecular imaging. Featuring contributions from renowned experts in functional imaging, this book examines the diagnosis and characterization of brain tumors, details the application of functional imaging to treatment planning and monitoring of therapeutic intervention, and explores future directions in physiologic brain tumor imaging. Intended for neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, residents, and medical students, Functional Imaging of Brain Tumors is a unique resource that serves to advance patient care and research in this rapidly developing field.

This volume, in discussing resistance to ibritumomab, will focus on the mechanism, hematological aspects, radiological and nuclear medicine aspects, and medical physics that deal with radiation dosimetry, and will outline future prospects for overcoming resistance and enhancing efficacy of ibritumomab.

PARP Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy provides a comprehensive overview of the role of PARP in cancer therapy. The volume covers the history of the discovery of PARP (poly ADP ribose polymerase) and its role in DNA repair. In addition, a description of discovery of the PARP family, and other DNA maintenance-associated PARPs will also be discussed. The volume also features a section on accessible chemistry behind the development of inhibitors. PARP inhibitors are a group of pharmacological inhibitors that are a particularly good target for cancer therapy. PARP plays a pivotal role in DNA repair and may contribute to the therapeutic resistance to DNA damaging agents used to treat cancer. Researchers have learned a tremendous amount about the biology of PARP and how tumour-specific defects in DNA repair can be exploited by PARPi. The "synthetic lethality" of PARPi is an exciting concept for cancer therapy and has led to a heightened activity in this area.

How are cancer and inflammation interrelated mechanistically and clinically? Though extensive literature exists on the topic "Cancer and Inflammation," there are relatively few texts that have truly integrated the two in spite of the many common mechanisms shared by their processes. Certainly, areas such as cytokines, growth factors, proliferation, signal transduction and angiogenesis, for example, are found in both. Yet, the dynamics of how these common mechanisms are maybe interrelated in the pathologies of the two is not widely covered. Such coverage, as presented in this volume, may help further understanding and bring new approaches to therapeutics.

The first section of the book discusses inflammatory mechanisms, studied in cellular and animal studies. The second part concentrates on clinical studies with antiinflammatory drugs in cancer treatment. The volume is written for biomedical researchers in the health care industry and in academia who are working in these areas.

From the world renowned Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, this book is written for all physicians who treat patients with acute or chronic leukemias or myelodysplasia. It is designed to answer questions about treatment approaches that commonly arise in day-to-day practice. In keeping with the Center's groundbreaking research in bone marrow transplantation, the book provides exceptional coverage of the role of allogeneic transplant in treatment. It also addresses the important issues of supportive care and long-term complications of successful treatment. *Edited and written by experts at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center *Clinically focused and comprehensive coverage of treatment approaches *Allogeneic transplant addressed in detail *Separate chapters on supportive care and long-term complications

The main objective of this book is to provide an up-to-date survey of the rapidly advancing eld of cancer therapy. Moreover, since our knowledge in this area rapidly evolves, some data have got obsolete during the process of book editing. Our understanding of the mechanisms involved in cancer genesis and progression underwent unprecedented expansion during the last decade, opening a new era of cancer treatment - targeted therapy. The surge in this area results in no small part from studies conducted jointly by basic health scientists and clinical investigators. It is our hope that this book will help foster even further collaboration between investigators in these two disciplines. The target of rapamycin (TOR) was rst identi ed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and subsequently in mammals (mTOR) as a conserved atypical serine/threonine kinase. In mammalian cells, mTOR exists in at least two multi-protein complexes that have critical roles in regulating cellular homeostasis and survival. As with many other areas of science, discovery of TOR signaling was fortuitous. Rapamycin was isolated as a product of the soil bacteria Streptomyces hygroscopicus, identi ed in a soil sample taken from the island of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Rapamycin was rst discovered to be a potent antifungal agent and next as an immune suppressive drug. It was only later that it was found to be active as an antitumor agent in non-clinical models; although it was not developed for this indication. The history of rapamycin presents one of the rst examples of chemical genetics.

The various cell types have traditionally been recognized and classified according to their appearance in the light microscope following the process of fixing, processing, sectioning, and staining tissues that is known as histology. Classical histology has been augmented by
immunohistochemistry (the use of specific antibodies to stain particular molecular species "in situ"). Immunohistochemistry has allowed the identification of many more cell types than could be visualized by classical histology, particularly in the immune system and among the scattered hormone-secreting cells of the endocrine system.
This book discusses all aspects of immunohistochemistry and "in situ" hybridization technologies and the important role they play in reaching a cancer diagnosis. It provides step-by-step instructions on the methods of additional molecular technologies such as DNA microarrays, and microdissection, along with the benefits and limitations of each method. The topics of region-specific gene expression, its role in cancer development and the techniques that assist in the understanding of the molecular basis of disease are relevant and necessary in science today, ensuring a wide audience for this book.
* The only book available that translates molecular genetics into cancer diagnosis
* Provides the readers with tools necessary to perform and optimize sensitive, powerful techniques, including immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization, used in tumor diagnosis
* Written by experts in this field, the book provides theoretical considerations as well as practical approaches to carry out effectively these techniques
* Offers suggestions, tips, cautions, and guidelines to avoid artifacts and misdiagnosis
* Introduces new techniques to detect genes and proteins involved in the initiation and progression of cancer
* Covers the latest developments and a wide range of applications to the detection of antigens and single-copy DNA and RNA
* Written in a uniform format, each chapter includes Introduction, Materials required, step-by-step detailed Methods, Results, Discussion, and comprehensive up-to-date References

An increasing number of exercise scientists are applying their skills collaboratively (with medics and physiotherapists) to clinical populations and investigating the effects of exercise in relation to wide-ranging clinical, pathophysiological and psycho-social outcomes. The book is aimed at final year Undergraduate and Master's level students of Exercise Science, who are interested in working with clinical populations such as cancer patients. Many university Sport and Exercise Science courses in the UK and USA now have modules which are focused on exercise for health, and cover aspects of exercise science which are appropriate for clinical populations. The book would also be a very valuable resource for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Physiotherapy courses and a very useful resource for students of Exercise Science and Physiotherapy, as well as practitioners working with cancer patients.There are an increasing amount of research opportunities for exercise scientists who are interested in working with clinical populations. Furthermore, a considerable amount of Government and Charity research funding is being targeted at active lifestyles and this is helping to generate a new culture of collaboration between exercise scientists and medics. Hence, it is highly likely that an increasing number of students from Sport and Exercise Science courses will pursue careers within the clinical realm in the future. Practicing exercise therapists, clinical exercise physiologists and physiotherapists would also find lots of useful up-to-date knowledge to support their evidence-based clinical practice. This book would also be of interest to informed readers who are themselves undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment.

This volume provides a comprehensive treatise on the latest studies linking prostate cancer with energy balance, which together constitute a major challenge and opportunity for research scientists and clinicians especially those dealing with the expanding population of older men confronted with obesity and associated comorbidities. This volume should be a valuable resource to physicians, oncologists, urologists, endocrinologists, nurses, nutritionists, dieticians, and exercise therapists dealing with men with energy balance issues and/or questions regarding the linkage between energy balance and cancer. Moreover, this volume should serve as an important resource for cancer researchers especially for scientists studying lifestyle modification and prevention strategies to better understand and disrupt the linkage between obesity and cancer.

The book covers the complete field of testis cancer including the germ cell tumors and the stromal tumors, from epidemiology to new chemotherapeutic agents and schedules, throughout genetic features, risk factors, risk adapted treatments, role of different types of surgery and special clinical situations. Special attention is focused on fertility issues, late effects of the primary therapy and the economical aspects of the different treatment policies.

As a result of the third Consensus Conference, a consensual follow-up can be devised and a chapter dedicated to this controversial and not yet defined matter.

This book is the state-of-the-art reference text on testis cancer and is an essential resource for all urologists, medical oncologists and radio-oncologists.

The purpose of this book is to provide a current perspective on the epidemiology head and neck cancer. Cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx comprise an important group of tumors with diverse international patterns of incidence and mortality, established risk factors, suggested association with a virus, and potential genetic susceptibility determinants. These tumors offer a unique insight into mechanisms of cancer initiation and progression and gene-exposure interaction.

Primary Liver Cancer: Surveillance, Diagnosis and Treatment focuses on the many therapies rapidly evolving to assist with controlling hepatocellular carcinoma as well as emerging technologies to assist in early diagnosis as well as prevention. All chapters are written by experts in their fields and include the most up to date information for diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, epidemiology, staging, recurrence and prevention. This volume will serve as a useful resource for clinical gastroenterologists, hepatologists, oncologists, pathologists, and physicians who treat patients with chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Information gathered from cell-free systems, cell cultures, animal models, and human studies, together provide important insights to our understanding of hormonal cancer causation, development, and prevention; the primary objective of these Symposia. A special emphasis is placed on the two major endocrine-related cancers, that is, breast and prostate. The emerging fields of colon, lung, and pancreatic cancers in relation to hormones are examined.

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy characterized by complex heterogenous cytogenetic abnormalities that accounts for 1.4% of all cancers, and approximately 10% of hematologic malignancies. The clinical manifestations of multiple myeloma include lytic bone lesions, cytopenia, hypercalcemia, renal dysfunction, hyperviscosity of the blood, immunodeficiency, and peripheral neuropathy. Based on the clinical and genetic data, probably all cases of multiple myeloma arise from an asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance. The exact mechanism of the transition from MGUS to overt multiple myeloma is still not well understood. Recent oncogenomic studies have further advanced our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of multiple myeloma. This book will give a comprehensive overview of the genetic and molecular epidemiology of multiple myeloma in order to get a more refined and conclusive understanding of this disease.

This book provides a comprehensive discussion on the current information and evidence on the latest developments in the field of drugs resistance. Drug resistance is the reduction in effectiveness of a medication such as an antimicrobial or an antineoplastic in treating a disease or condition. This leads to negative outcomes at great risk of public health; therefore, increasing efforts are dedicated to the development of a new generation of medications that will help deal with this phenomenon. Decades of technological innovations in drug design have demonstrated the potential of resistance. Enormous information on various aspects of antibiotics resistance is available. However, literature on drug resistance specifically related to infectious and non-infectious diseases is rarely presented, particularly those focusing on the mechanisms, biochemistry, kinetics, dynamics, and management of drug resistance. Therefore, there is an immense need for a systematic compilation on the available information about this issue. All the chapters are logically selected and arranged to provide state-of-the-art information about all aspects of drugs resistance. After an introductory chapter, four chapters are dedicated to infectious microbial diseases, whereas two other chapters are complimenting this theme and focusing on drugs resistance in ear, nose and throat, and skin diseases. The recent advances in the understanding of drugs resistance in lung, neurological, kidney, heart, and liver diseases are also covered. Biochemistry of drugs resistance in cancer, HIV, ocular, reproductive, and diabetes diseases is also discussed. Finally, a chapter dedicated to the "management of drug resistance" has been included.

The past 6 years since the first edition of this book have seen great progress in the development of genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models of cancer. These models are finding an important role in furthering our understanding of the biology of malignant disease. A comfortable position for GEM models in the routine conduct of screening for potential new therapeutics is coming more slowly but is coming. Increasing numbers of genetically engineered mice are available, some with conditional activation of oncogenes, some with multiple genetic changes providing mouse models that are moving closer to the human disease.

The Advances in Cancer Research series provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. This volume presents outstanding and original reviews on a variety of topics.
The Advances in Cancer Research series provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. This volume presents outstanding and original reviews on a variety of topics.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Metastatic lung cancer is responsible for more than ninety percent of lung cancer related deaths. However, relatively little progress has been made in understanding the process of lung cancer metastasis. The two main aims of this book are a) to introduce clinical aspects to basic scientists and basic molecular and cellular concepts to clinical investigators, in order to promote collaboration and foster much needed translational research; and b) to introduce new and emerging concepts and approaches in metastasis research to lung cancer research community at large. In this attempt, the book will cover a broad spectrum of subjects ranging from the current trends in the clinical management of the metastatic disease, to the systems biology approach for gaining insights into the mechanisms of metastasis. Some of the subjects covered will include: defining basic hallmarks of a metastatic cell, the concept of tumor stem cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, evasion of immune-surveillance, tumor-stromal interactions, angiogenesis, molecular imaging and biomarker discovery.