This volume presents the most current reviews on how cancer stem cells (CSCs) hypothesis dictates that the continued proliferation of a tumor is dependent on a sub-population of self-renewing and asymmetrically dividing neoplastic stem cells that supply a largely differentiated tumor. This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of CSCs, their role in central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and the recent CSC-specific treatment modalities being used. The emerging focus on CSCs in brain tumors represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of the pathogenesis of these neoplasms. Importantly, the realization that a distinct sub-population of cells contributes disproportionately to the growth and sustenance of central nervous system tumors has important implications for the treatment of such tumors. To treat CNS tumors, there is now a growing need to treat CSCs to achieve adequate tumor control.

This book focuses on issues in clinical practice and research that are of general interest. The articles primarily focus on understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases, their prevention, and therapy. The topics addressed include cardiovascular regulation with regard to blood pressure and heart rate variability, and to coupling blood pressure changes with subarachnoid fluid oscillations. In addition, the book discusses recent advances in the diagnostics of and targeted molecular therapy for renal and pancreatic malignancies, growth disorders, vitamin D and calcium homeostasis in children in the context of neonatal urolithiasis, and neurosurgical interventions in multifarious age-related diseases of the vertebrae. Neuropsychological aspects of patients' quality of life and of shaping medical staff's attitude toward patients are also addressed. The respective articles are intended to build a bridge between basic and clinical research. Further, the book enhances the current body of knowledge on diagnostics and patient treatment and offers valuable new perspectives on practical clinical issues. As such, it offers a unique resource for clinicians, family physicians, medical scholars, and professionals engaged in patient management.

The 7th International Symposium on Platinum and other metal coordination compounds in Cancer Chemotherapy, ISPCC '95, organized by the European Cancer Centre, was held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, March 1-4, 1995. As with previous ISPCC meetings, the goal of ISPCC '95 was to bring together c1inicians, clinical investigators, scientists, and laboratory workers from many disciplines to promote further collaboration and cooperation in the development of new platinum and other metal coordination compounds as weil as in new ways to use 'c1assical' drugs as cisplatin and carboplatin in the treatment of cancer. Important aspects addressed by experts in the field inc1uded the synthesis and activity of new platinum compounds, the biochemistry and molecular pharrnacology as weil as the c1inical pharrnacology of this c1ass of antineoplastic agents, an overview of current c1inical studies, one special minisymposium on the mechanisms of cell kill of platinum, and one on resistance against platinum compounds. Finally, the current status of development of nonplatinum metal complexes was discussed. This volume contains the contributions of the various speakers at ISPCC '95 and provides an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of this important c1ass of anticancer agents, ranging from synthesis and molecular pharrnacology on one hand to c1inical pharrnacology and cIinical investigations on the other hand. The Organizing Corrunittee and Editors wish to express their gratitude to the contributors to this volume, to the various organizations and pharrnaceutical companies for their generous sponsoring of ISPCC '95, and to the Plenum Publishing Company for their help in producing this volume.

This book focuses on how obesity and sedentary lifestyles adversely affect cancer risk and survival for individuals as well as mechanisms that may underlie those associations. However, evidence is accumulating rapidly on the cost of obesity and sedentary lifestyles to society. For example, obesity is estimated to lead to costs of $147 billion in the US.6 While research on individual level interventions for weight loss and increasing physical activity have identified efficacious approaches, these changes in behavior are not maintained by many in the current environments in the US and worldwide that promote weight gain and inactivity. Research on environmental and policy approaches for addressing these problems at the societal level is needed7, 8 and is a major component of the President's Report on Childhood Obesity released in April 2010. The epidemic of overweight and obesity and the increasing sedentary lifestyles will impact the magnitude and quality of the cancer problem globally. Increasing the knowledge of scientists, clinicians, and policy experts will aid in defining new prevention and treatment methods, to reduce the impact of energy balance on cancer, with the goal to eventually reduce the burden of cancer. Hopefully, this knowledge can be translated into incentives for the general public, persons at high risk, and cancer patients and survivors to increase physical activity, reduce excess weight, and maintain energy balance lifelong.

This volume is based on the Workshop on Systems Biology of Tumor Dormancy meeting, held July 25th to July 28th, 2011. The first annual CCSB workshop brought together biologists, clinicians, mathematicians, and computer scientists to discuss various aspects of tumor dormancy and develop novel mathematical/computational models with the keynote speakers. Specific topics included the angiogenic switch, immune system interactions, cancer stem cells and signaling.

The annual research conference for 1996 of the American Institute for Cancer Re search was again held at the Loews L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC, August 29 and 30. The topic for this, the seventh in the series, was "Dietary Fat and Cancer: Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms. " Two separate presentations were given as the conference overview. "Fat and Cancer: The Epidemiologic Evidence in Perspective" noted that die tary fat can be saturated, largely from animal or dairy sources, or mono- or polyunsatu rated, mostly from plant sources. Unlike animal fats, fish contain relatively high levels of protective omega-3 fatty acids. Although the hypothesis that dietary fat is associated with cancer is plausible, the mechanisms involved are reasonable, and many animal studies support the hypothesis, there are many obstacles in any direct extrapolation to humans, in cluding imprecise measures of dietary fat intake, variability in individual diets, and spe cies variations. Despite these limitations, there is a weak positive correlation between colon cancer and dietary fat intake, but with substantial differences for various ethnic groups. In the case of breast cancer, there is substantial variation among countries and eth nic groups, but the overall evidence indicated an association with fat in the diet. Epidemiologic studies of dietary fat and prostate cancer are more consistent and most show a positive relationship. However, it was not clear which types of dietary fat were im plicated in the effect."

1 Biochemical, Immunological, and Molecular Markers of Hemopoietic Precursor Cells.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Biochemical Markers.- 2.1. Terminal Deoxynucleotide Transferase.- 2.2. Enzymes in Nucleotide Metabolism.- 3. Immunological Markers.- 4. Molecular Markers.- 5. Analysis of Human Hemopoietic Ontogenesis by Immunological and Molecular Markers.- 6. New Opportunities for Immunological and Molecular Markers: Minimal Residual Disease Detection and Therapeutical Approaches.- 7. References.- 2 Cell Surface Markers in Leukemia and Lymphoma.- 1. Introduction.- 2. B Cells.- 2.1. Normal B-Cell Ontogeny.- 2.2. B-Cell Leukemias and Lymphomas.- 3. T Cells.- 3.1. Normal T-Cell Ontogeny.- 3.2. T-Cell Leukemias and Lymphomas.- 4. Myeloid Cells.- 4.1. Normal Myeloid Ontogeny.- 4.2. Myeloid Leukemias.- 5. Summary.- 6. References.- 3 Cytoskeletal Organization of Normal and Leukemic Lymphocytes and Lymphoblasts.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Microfilaments in Normal and Leukemic Lymphocytes and Lymphoblasts.- 2.1. Actin and Actin-Associated Proteins in Nonmuscle Cells.- 2.2. Actin Isoforms.- 2.3. Organization of Actin in Normal Lymphocytes.- 2.4. Interactions between Actin and Surface Antigens in Lymphocytes.- 2.5. Actin in Leukemic Lymphocytes and Lymphoblasts.- 3. Intermediate-Size Filaments in Normal and Leukemic Lymphocytes and Lymphoblasts.- 3.1. The Intermediate Filament System.- 3.2. Distribution of Vimentin in Lymphocytes in Normal Conditions.- 3.3. Vimentin in Neoplastic Lymphocytes and Lymphoblasts.- 3.4. Expression of Cytokeratin in Lymphoid Tissues.- 4. Microtubules in Lymphoid Cells.- 5. Organization of Spectrin in Lymphocytes.- 6. Conclusions.- 7. References.- 4 Signaling Events in T-Lymphocyte-Dependent B-Lymphocyte Activation.- 1. Introduction.- 2. B-Cell Antigen Receptor-Mediated Signaling.- 3. Molecular Bases of T-Cell-Mediated B-Cell Signaling.- 4. Biological Evidence for Ia-Mediated Signal Transduction.- 5. Biochemical Evidence for Ia-Mediated Signal Transduction.- 6. Conclusions.- 7. References.- 5 IgE Receptors on Lymphocytes and IgE-Binding Factors.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Historical Overview.- 3. Fc?RII on Lymphocytes.- 3.1. Fc?RII-Bearing Cells.- 3.2. Function of Fc?RII.- 3.3. Molecular Properties of Fc?RII.- 3.4. Regulation of Fc?RII Expression on Lymphocytes.- 4. IgE-Binding Factors.- 4.1. Rat.- 4.2. Murine.- 4.3. Human.- 5. Glycosylation-Regulating Factors: GEF and GIF.- 5.1. Rat.- 5.2. Murine.- 6. Interleukin 4 and Gamma Interferon.- 7. CD23 Antigen.- 8. Conclusion.- 9. References.- 6 Lymphocyte-Mediated Cytolysis: Role of Granule Mediators.- 1. Role of Granules and Perform in Lymphocyte-Mediated Killing.- 1.1. The Granule Exocytosis or Secretion Model for Cell Killing.- 1.2. Cytoplasmic Granules and Perform as Mediators of Cytotoxicity.- 1.3. A Family of Serine Esterases Localized in Lymphocyte Granules.- 1.4. Proteoglycans.- 1.5. Leukalexins and Cytokines Related to Tumor Necrosis Factor and Lymphotoxin.- 2. Other Candidate Mechanisms of Lymphocyte-Mediated Killing.- 3. Resistance of Lymphocytes to Self-Mediated Killing.- 4. Conclusion.- 5. References.- 7 CR1-Cytoskeleton Interactions in Neutrophils.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Detergent Extraction of Cells.- 3. Receptor-Cytoskeleton Interactions.- 4. The C3b Receptor (CR1).- 5. References.- 8 The Flow of Granular Organelles in Leukocyte Differentiation.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Biogenesis of Membrane-Bound Organelles.- 2.1. Introduction.- 2.2. Endoplasmic Reticulum.- 2.3. Golgi Complex.- 2.4. Lysosomes.- 2.5. Communication between Compartments: Endosomes.- 2.6. Secretory Granules.- 3. Leukocyte Granules are Major Determinants of Function.- 3.1. Neutrophils.- 3.2. Platelets.- 3.3. Cytotoxic Lymphocytes.- 4. Granules Interact with the Plasma Membrane.- 4.1. Neutrophils.- 4.2. Platelets.- 5. Pathology of Myeloid Granules and Plasma Membranes.- 5.1. Nonneoplastic.- 5.2. Leukemic.- 6. Conclusion.- 7. References.- 9 The Elusive Oxidase: The Respiratory Burst Oxidase of Human Phagocytes...

Research over the past decades has firmly established the genetic basis of cancer. In particular, studies on animal tumour viruses and chromosome rearrangements in human tumours have concurred to identify so-called 'proto-oncogenes' and 'tumour suppressor genes', whose deregulation promotes carcinogenesis. These important findings not only explain the occurrence of certain hereditary tumours, but they also set the stage for the development of anti-cancer drugs that specifically target activated oncogenes. However, in spite of tremendous progress towards the elucidation of key signalling pathways involved in carcinogenesis, most cancers continue to elude currently available therapies. This stands as a reminder that "cancer" is an extraordinarily complex disease: although some cancers of the haematopoietic system show only a limited number of characteristic chromosomal aberrations, most solid tumours display a myriad of genetic changes and considerable genetic heterogeneity. This is thought to reflect a trait commonly referred to as 'genome instability', so that no two cancers are ever likely to display the exact same genetic alterations. Numerical and structural chromosome aberrations were recognised as a hallmark of human tumours for more than a century. Yet, the causes and consequences of these aberrations still remain to be fully understood. In particular, the question of how genome instability impacts on the development of human cancers continues to evoke intense debate.

In Hormone Therapy in Breast and Prostate Cancer, many of today's leading researchers and clinicians describe the principles underlying targeted hormonal treatments, assess the actions of new and established agents, and illustrate the new applications of hormonal chemoprevention for breast cancer. Topics range from preclinical and clinical antiestrogens to the inhibition of estrogen synthesis and the effects of androgen withdrawal. A wide variety of proven and new agents are discussed-antiestrogens, including aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole, and others), SERMs (tamoxifen, raloxifene, and others), and such antiandrogenic strategies as goserelin and bicalutamide.

Cancer and Pregnancy covers the clinical challenges to diagnosing and treating malignancies in the pregnant patient; however, the book also shows how an understanding of the common features of both processes (rapid cell proliferation) may lead to novel anti-cancer treatment options. The book should be read by obstetricians and gynaecologists, clinical oncologists, reproduction specialists, and those involved in investigation of development, biology, toxicology, immunology, as well as cancer research.

During the late 1970s and 1980s, "cancer" underwent a remarkable transformation. In one short decade, what had long been a set of heterogeneous diseases marked by uncontrolled cell growth became a disease of our genes. How this happened and what it means is the story Joan Fujimura tells in a rare inside look at the way science works and knowledge is created. A dramatic study of a new species of scientific revolution, this book combines a detailed ethnography of scientific thought, an in-depth account of science practiced and produced, a history of one branch of science as it entered the limelight, and a view of the impact of new genetic technologies on science and society.

The scientific enterprise that Fujimura unfolds for us is proto-oncogene cancer research--the study of those segments of DNA now thought to make normal cells cancerous. Within this framework, she describes the processes of knowledge construction as a social enterprise, an endless series of negotiations in which theories, material technologies, and practices are co-constructed, incorporated, and refashioned. Along the way, Fujimura addresses long-standing questions in the history and philosophy of science, culture theory, and sociology of science: How do scientists create "good" problems, experiments, and solutions? What are the cultural, institutional, and material technologies that have to be in place for new truths and new practices to succeed?

Portraying the development of knowledge as a multidimensional process conducted through multiple cultures, institutions, actors, objects, and practices, this book disrupts divisions among sociology, history, anthropology, and the philosophy of science, technology, and medicine.

The aim of Apoptosis and Cancer is to describe the performance of contemporary techniques for studying the biology of apoptosis and its role in cancer. The protocols described will aid both the academic laboratory interested in further characterizing the mechanisms of apoptosis, as well as the industry laboratory, aimed at identifying new target molecules or screening for new compounds with potential clinical use.

Recent advances in radiation oncology have depended upon and are intertwined with subsequent scientific discoveries and the development of new techniques in the fields of radiation and molecular biology, physics, electrical engineering, surgery, and medical oncology. This volume describes how some of the recent discoveries in the radiological sciences have influenced the way radiation oncology is practised. As there are many advances in this field, the Editors have chosen to concentrate on selected topics in clinical radiotherapy, radiation physics and biology, and technical innovations that have had a major impact on radiation oncology in the past twenty years. It is hoped that the techniques described in this volume will increase tumor control and prolong patient survival and at the same time decrease radiation-induced side effects and complications.

Health has been conceptualized by world and national health organizations (WHO, CDC, Healthy People 2010) as more than the absence of disease. It involves a focus on physical, psychosocial, and functional aspects of life as well as the prevention of future illnesses. At this point in the development of quality health care for cancer survivors, there is sufficient knowledge and expert opinion to push efforts forward to improve the health of cancer survivors. Clearly there is more research in the most prevalent forms of cancers (e.g., breast cancer) than others that provide us with guidance on how to optimize their health, but there are data on other forms of cancers that can also better inform practice. There may also be general care practices that can cut across cancer types. There has been an emergence of epidemiological and clinical research in cancer survivors that can form the basis for a revolution in the quality and nature of health care that survivors receive. This book not only provides the reader with diverse perspectives and data but also integrates this information so it can serve as the foundation necessary to improve and maintain the health of cancer survivors. Reporting of symptoms to health care providers is a complex, multi-determined problem influenced not only by the pathophysiology but also, as we have learned over the years through pain research, by societal, cultural, and biobehavioral factors. This book will consider this important aspect of follow-up for millions of cancer survivors because of the strong reliance on symptom reporting for clinical decision making. In order for us to generate meaningful and effective treatment, we need to better understand the symptom experience in cancer survivors. This book provides much information that will assist us to better understand and manage this complicated end point. The presenting problems need to be articulated and "conceptualized" as clearly as possible by both parties so appropriate actions can be taken. Since health care costs are a major concern for patients, payers, and providers, this area will also be addressed in all the relevant sections. In taking an interdisciplinary perspective, this book illustrates the importance of a team approach to the improvement of health care and associated health, well-being, and functioning in cancer survivors. The 17 chapters cover critical topics of which physicians and providers of all types must be aware in order to provide the most comprehensive and responsive care for cancer survivors. All of the clinical care chapters include case studies to illustrate the real-world application of these approaches in cancer survivors. Information about sources of referral both within and outside the traditional health care communities will be provided in tabular form. There is no other text that provides both an overview of the problems and their challenges, case illustrations of direct application, and the reality of reimbursement for such care. The editors hope that there may be no need for the clinician or the survivor to adapt to a "new normal" if the presenting problems are understood and handled from an interdisciplinary perspective as outlined here.

Where do you begin to look for a recent, authoritative article on the diagnosis or management of a particular malignancy? The few general oncology text books are generally out of date. Single papers in specialized journal are informative but seldom comprehensive; these are more often preliminary reports on a very limited number of patients. Certain general journals frequently publish good in-depth reviews of cancer topics, and published symposium lectures are often the best overviews available. Unfortunately, these reviews and supplements appear sporadically, and the reader can never be sure when a topic of special interest will be covered. Cancer Treatment and Research is a series of authoritative volumes that aim to meet this need. It is an attempt to establish a critical mass ofoncology literature covering virtually all oncology topics, revised frequently to keep the coverage up to date, and easily available on a single library shelfor by a single personal subscription. We have approached the problem in the following fashion: first, by dividing the oncology literature into specific subdivisions such as lung cancer, genitourinary cancer, pediatric oncology, etc.;and second, by asking eminent authorities in each of these areas to edit a volume on the specific topic on an annual or biannual basis. Each topic and tumor type is covered in a volume appearing frequently and predictably, discussing current diagnosis, staging, markers, all forms of treatment modalities, basic biology, and more."

Proceedings of the 5th Biannual International Meeting on Angiogenesis: From the Molecular to Integrative Pharmacology, held July 1-7, 1999, in Crete, Greece. Angiogenesis, as a vastly complex biological process, has challenged researchers from all basic scientific disciplines, including pharmacology, biochemistry, physiology, embryology and anatomy. The significance of this phenomenon for the study of disease states has also interested clinicians from a number of specialist fields. This multidisciplinary work reflects the growth of awareness of concepts such as angiogenesis based therapy, the enormous therapeutic and commercial potential of which has attracted major research and investment in recent years. This volume, which aims to bridge the gap between basic and clinical methodology and understanding, presents the most up-to-date developments in this field.

The Etiology and Prevention of Aerodigestive Tract Cancers.- Epidemiology of Vitamin A and Aerodigestive Cancer.- Multiple Primary Squamous Carcinomas of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract.- Genetic and Environmental Interactions as Risks for Aerodigestive Cancers.- Alcohol: A Cocarcinogen in Head and Neck Malignancies.- Smokeless Tobacco and Aerodigestive Tract Cancers: Recent Research Directions.- Biologic Markers as Predictors of Risk in Aerodigestive Tract Cancers.- Hamster Lung Cancer Model of Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention.- The Hamster Cheek Pouch Model of Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention.- Culture Conditions Affect Expression of the ?6?4 Integrin Associated with Aggressive Behavior in Head and Neck Cancer.- Growth Factors and Other Targets for Rational Application as Intervention Agents.- Hyperplasia and Squamous Metaplasia in the Tracheobronchial Epithelium: Alterations in the Balance of Growth and Differentiation Factors.- Micronuclei as Intermediate End Points in Intervention.- Study Design for the Prevention of Aerodigestive Tract Cancers.- Participant Enrollment, Participation, and Compliance in Chemoprevention Trials.- A Population-based Trial of ?-Carotene Chemoprevention of Head and Neck Cancer.- Chemoprevention of Barrett's Esophagus and Oral Leukoplakia.- Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial: Lung Cancer Chemoprevention Trial in Heavy Cigarette Smokers and Asbestos-exposed Workers.- An Intervention Trial in High-Risk Asbestos-exposed Persons.- Chemoprevention-of Aerodigestive Epithelial Cancers.- Contributors.

This book presents a novel molecular description for understanding the regulatory mechanisms behind the autonomy and self-organization in biological systems. Chapters focus on defining and explaining the regulatory molecular mechanisms behind different aspects of autonomy and self-organization in the sense of autonomous coding, data processing, structure (mass) formation and energy production in a biological system. Subsequent chapters discuss the cross-talk among mechanisms of energy, and mass and information, transformation in biological systems. Other chapters focus on applications regarding therapeutic approaches in regenerative medicine. Molecular Mechanisms of Autonomy in Biological Systems is an indispensable resource for scientists and researchers in regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, molecular biology, tissue engineering, developmental biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics, as well as big data sciences, complexity and soft computing.

This book is a logical companion volume to Women at High Risk to Breast Cancer (Kluwer, 1989) edited by me previously. It distinguishes two aspects of current ap proaches to clinical breast cancer prevention. The first is the need to advise individ ual women on how they might reduce their personal risk, while the second is the design of measures aimed at reducing the total incidence of breast cancer in the community. While the former is a problem faced daily by clinicians, the latter is a goal which will involve large scale, carefully planned interventional studies. Because knowledge of the risk factors for breast cancer is incomplete and clinical trial reports are scarce, there is as yet, no scientifically-based model for personal breast cancer prevention. Nevertheless, widespread publicity associated with breast screening programmes has created a large group of highly anxious women who have been informed that they are at higher than average risk to the disease. They are con cerned by the personal threat posed by a family history of the disease and by the al leged dangers of obesity, diet, alcohol, or the use of hormonal agents such as oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy."

Targeted Nanomedicine for Breast Cancer Therapy provides a compilation of treatment approaches for breast cancer, including conventional receptor targeting methods and novel strategies like stimuli responsive methods and tumor micro-environment responsive strategies. This book compiles the most important information on the state-of-the-art therapeutics, including breast cancer biomarkers and design principles of bio-responsive nanosystems. Presented in two parts, sections cover basic and receptor mediated targeting approaches and examine tumor microenvironment mediated approaches. This is a useful book for pharmaceutical scientists and basic and clinical scientists working in the research area of breast cancer and drug discovery both from academics and industry. Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, however, breast cancer therapy is always challenging. This book aims to help researchers remain updated on the most targeted nanomedicine research available.

This book describes the latest methods of oncological and hematological diagnostics such as immunological, molecular genetic and histological essays. All methods are described in principle in their different variations and compared in their effectiveness and cost. At the end of each chapter a detailed description of the "how-to-do" is given. The book is written for scientists, clinicians and personnel from research laboratories, specialised laboratories and routine diagnostic laboratories in hospitals. It satisfies the increased demand for information on new methods in hematology and oncology.

Metastasis is the primary cause of mortality associated with cancer, and tumor genomic heterogeneity is a likely source for the cells that support cancer progression, resistance to therapy, and disease relapse. This book connects cancer metastasis with genomic instability in a comprehensive manner. Section 1 outlines the fundamental mechanisms responsible for these cellular and tissue phenotypes. Section 2 discusses in silico, in vitro, and in vivo models used for the experimental study of these processes. Section 3 reviews emerging themes (ex., microenvironment, mechanotransduction, and immunomodulation), and Section 4 highlights new therapeutic approaches to overcome the unique challenges presented by the heterogeneous and metastatic tumor. This book is intended for undergraduates and postgraduates with an interest in the areas of medicine, oncology, and cancer biology as well as for the content expert searching for thorough reviews of current knowledge in these areas.

The combination of molecular biology, engineering and bioinformatics has revolutionized our understanding of cancer revealing a tight correlation of the molecular characteristics of the primary tumor in terms of gene expression, structural alterations of the genome, epigenetics and mutations with its propensity to metastasize and to respond to therapy. It is not just one or a few genes, it is the complex alteration of the genome that determines cancer development and progression. Future management of cancer patients will therefore rely on thorough molecular analyses of each single case. Through this book, students, researchers and oncologists will obtain a comprehensive picture of what the first ten years of cancer genomics have revealed. Experts in the field describe, cancer by cancer, the progress made and its implications for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer. The deep impact on the clinics and the challenge for future translational research become evident.

Since their discovery over 60 years ago, eicosanoids have come to represent a diverse family of bioactive lipid modulators, including prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes, lipoxins, isoprostanes, hepoxilins, hydroxy acids, epoxy and hydroxy fatty acids. This book contains conference presentations regarding the regulation of eicosanoid enzymes and, in particular, cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, and phospholipases. In addition, the latest evidence over the last seven years has led to the identification of a number of receptors for these bioactive lipids. The new field of isoprostanes is also represented. It has become increasingly evident that eicosanoids play a critical role in signal transduction, both in normal cells and in pathological processes. These aspects are discussed in relation to cellular events, such as apoptosis, angiogenesis, and cancer prevention and treatment.