This book is concernced with the process of cell death in human cells by programmed cell death or apoptosis, and the modulation of this process by drugs. This is a new field of study and this volume represents the first comprehensive treatment of this subject matter. Its focus is on human biology and medicine. Apoptosis is a very prevalent type of cell death with importance in human diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease and autoimmune disorders. The book combines the expertise of leading scientists and writers from fields as diverse as neurosciences, immunology, pathology and cancer research. There is detailed analysis of the molecular and cellular aspects of apoptosis including the specific genes and molecules involved in the regulation of this special form of programmed cell death. Scientists, clinicians and researchers involved in studies of human biology and medicine will find this book an excellent resource.

First published in 1986: This book is to help medical, pharmacy, and advanced students in science to understand the growing importance of continuously advancing biochemical concepts in human disease.

First published in 1986: This book is to help medical, pharmacy, and advanced students in science to understand the growing importance of continuously advancing biochemical concepts in human disease.

First published in 1986: This book is to help medical, pharmacy, and advanced students in science to understand the growing importance of continuously advancing biochemical concepts in human disease.

Apoptosis is a fascinating concept for the basic scientist. This is not only because of the multifaceted variety of proposed and discovered mechanisms, but because apoptosis represents a fundamental pathway for cell renewal. The study of apoptosis has resulted in an array of discoveries on signal transduc tion and downstream effects that have facilitated and advanced many fields in biology, including research on cancer and other diseases. Thus, the apoptotic process can be viewed as the largest effort of the scientific community to understand how cells work and tissues assemble or remodel. The most direct consequence of this accumulated knowledge is a greater understanding of disease and pathological mechanisms. The end result of these efforts will be significant contributions to health and the adoption of new, never anticipated, therapeutic approaches. This book represents the summation of considerable effort from a significant group of contributors from all over the world as well as from its editors. In this fashion, many viewpoints have been collected and SUbjected to thorough academic discussion. The concepts contained in this medically important volume will stimulate and renew the ideas of scientists and indeed, will generate additional work to advance biological knowledge even further. The emphasis of this volume cements what has been established, adds what has not been explored fully, and creates a fertile ground for further hypotheses that will lead to a more complete understanding of the apoptotic process."

The advances in science and medicine we are now experiencing are unprec edented and exciting. Life expectancy is prolonged, and quality of life is much improved. We learn of fabulous new discoveries made at the bench or the bedside every week. Many diseases have been totally eliminated, others can be significantly improved by new therapeutic formulations. Much of the success can be attributed to a better understanding of disease processes and the specific targeting of new and more effective medications. As is the case in many areas of successful human endeavour, there can be a downside. In the case of drugs and chemicals it is their adverse effects which are of concern. Of course, every effort is made to devise medications that are safe, and the need to elucidate and understand mechanisms are crucial, yet adverse effects remain a problem. They can be unpredictable and diverse. Drugs have been shown to induce virtually the whole gamut of human liver pathology from acute fulminant hepatitis to chronic active hepatitis to cirrho sis and even malignancy. Hence the possibility of adverse drug effects must be considered in the differential diagnosis of many patients with liver disease. This is well recognized and is very important; indeed, removal of the offending agent can often lead to reversal of the adverse effect. This is an area of hepatology where we can really make a difference."