Drug Resistance in Colorectal Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies, Volume Eight, summarizes the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in colorectal cancer, along with the most up-to-date therapeutic strategies available. The book discusses reasons why colorectal tumors become refractory during the progression of the disease, but also explains how drug resistance occurs during chemotherapy. In addition, users will find the current therapeutic strategies used by clinicians in their practice in treating colorectal cancer. The combination of conventional anticancer drugs with chemotherapy-sensitizing agents plays a pivotal role in improving the outcome of colorectal cancer patients, in particular those with drug-resistant cancer cells. From a clinical point-of-view, the content of this book provides clinicians with updated therapeutic strategies for a better choice of drugs for drug-resistant colorectal cancer patients. It will be a valuable source for cancer researchers, oncologists and several members of biomedical field who are dedicated to better treat patients with colorectal cancer.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), including cathelicidins and defensins are host defence peptides that carry out multiple roles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Antimicrobial Peptides in Gastrointestinal Diseases presents knowledge about the physiological functions and pharmacological actions of AMPs in inflammation, cancer, and further infection of the GI tract. The book provides coverage from the basic research to clinical application for GI diseases. Current research and development of AMPs is presented, opening the way for further work on these peptides, not only in the context of GI diseases, but also for similar pathologies in other organs. AMPs are key to the regulation of human microbiome and second line defence in the GI mucosa, prevent colonization of pathogens and modulation of innate response to invading pathogens, and modify immunological reactions during inflammatory processes and oncogenic development in the GI mucosa. More importantly, AMPs possess diversified anti-microbial actions against various infectious diseases in the GI tract. With these physiological functions and pharmacological actions, AMPs have significant potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammation, cancer and further infection in the GI tract.

This unique book deals with both inflammation and cancer in a single source of publication. They are seldom grouped together although it has been known that both diseases are closely associated, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract and liver. As the book touches on two such major areas of diseases in humans, it should be of interest to a wider audience of researchers and readers. It is noted that the book combines the effort of both basic scientists and clinicians from different countries with extensive experiences in molecular biology and clinical practice to unveil the most updated picture of the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies in the treatment of inflammation and cancer in the digestive tract. In this regard, potential pathogenic modulators and also therapeutic options are widely discussed. These types of information would definitely broaden our knowledge in better understanding these diseases.

Inflammation and cancer are two major disorders that cause huge concerns in our society. However, what one may not know is that both diseases are closely associated and, in particular, both occur in the gastrointestinal tract and liver. This book describes the mechanics of how inflammation can progress to cancer in these organs. The authors in this book comprehensively discuss the different biomarkers for early diagnosis, and current therapeutic treatments for these diseases. All of these would allow us to better understand the pathogenesis of both diseases. As such, this book provides comprehensive information concerning the interrelationship between inflammation and cancer in a cohesive manner, and the information derived would benefit not only basic scientists but also clinicians who are working in these fields.