In the post human-genome project era, cancer specific genomic maps are redesigning tumor taxonomy by evolving from histopathology to molecular pathology. The success of a cancer drug today is fundamentally based on the success in identifying target genes that control beneficial pathways. The overwhelming power of genomics and proteomics has enlightened researchers about the fact that the PI3K-mTOR pathway is the most commonly up-regulated signal transduction pathway in various cancers, either by virtue of its activation downstream of many cell surface growth factor receptors or by virtue of its collateral and compensatory circuitry with RAS-MAPK pathway. Oncogenic signaling in the majority of solid tumors is sustained via the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. Because of its prominent role in many cancer types, the PI3K-mTOR pathway has become a major therapeutic target. The volume includes two complementary parts which address the problem of etiology and disease progression and is intended to portray the very basic mechanisms of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway's involvement in various facets of the cancer, including stem cell renewal, cell metabolism, angiogenesis, genetic instability, and drug resistance. Significant progress has been made in recent years elucidating the molecular mechanism of cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and drug-resistance in relation to the PI3K-mTOR pathway and this volume provides an in-depth overview of recent developments made in this area.

Pharmacogenetics is becoming increasingly relevant in the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of cancer patients. A major problem facing oncologists is the outstanding varied efficacy of treatment. Promising advances in pharmacogenetics have allowed the development of effective agents which will enable personalized cancer chemotherapy to become routine for the clinical practice.

Written by experts in the field and combining information that is unable to be found in a single source volume, Pharmacogenetics of Breast Cancer

• combines a complete overview of pharmacogenetics and how it relates to breast oncology for diagnosis, treatment, and the recovery of patients using an individualized therapy model
• is the first single source reference demonstrating the application of pharmacogenetics in the care of breast cancer patients
• enables physicians a coherent interpretation of the emerging science of pharmacogenetics, aiding them to incorporate individual therapies in their own practice
• gives practical guidance on various forms of specimen collection, tissue selection, and handling procedures

In the post human-genome project era, cancer specific genomic maps are redesigning tumor taxonomy by evolving from histopathology to molecular pathology. The success of a cancer drug today is fundamentally based on the success in identifying target genes that control beneficial pathways. The overwhelming power of genomics and proteomics has enlightened researchers about the fact that the PI3K-mTOR pathway is the most commonly up-regulated signal transduction pathway in various cancers, either by virtue of its activation downstream of many cell surface growth factor receptors or by virtue of its collateral and compensatory circuitry with RAS-MAPK pathway. Oncogenic signaling in the majority of solid tumors is sustained via the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. Because of its prominent role in many cancer types, the PI3K-mTOR pathway has become a major therapeutic target. The volume includes two complementary parts which address the problem of etiology and disease progression and is intended to portray the very basic mechanisms of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway's involvement in various facets of the cancer, including stem cell renewal, cell metabolism, angiogenesis, genetic instability, and drug resistance. Significant progress has been made in recent years elucidating the molecular mechanism of cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and drug-resistance in relation to the PI3K-mTOR pathway and this volume provides an in-depth overview of recent developments made in this area.

Pharmacogenetics, generally referred to as the study of genetic variation that gives rise to differing response to drugs, is becoming more relevant in the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of cancer patients. The problem faced when treating cancer is the outstanding varied efficacy between success and failure. Unpredictability between a population of patients who are affected with the same occurring malignancy can show varying associated toxicities in drug treatment ranging from zero effect through lethal doses. Since the chemotherapeutic agent is often developed to fit the average patient the unfortunate result is that approximately 40% of patients may be receiving the wrong drug. However, using pharmacogenetics there are promising advancements in the development of effective agents which will enable 'personalized cancer chemotherapy' to become routine for the clinical practice. This individualization is most advanced in the field of breast cancer; while many breast oncologists are individualizing techniques based on specific profiles, within 10 years it is likely all breast oncologists will be using RT-PCR, FISH-based multiplexed arrays, or a similar testing regime for patient individualization therapy.