Regulation of Cancer Immune Checkpoints


Book Description

This book systematically reviews the most important findings on cancer immune checkpoints, sharing essential insights into this rapidly evolving yet largely unexplored research topic. The past decade has seen major advances in cancer immune checkpoint therapy, which has demonstrated impressive clinical benefits. The family of checkpoints for mediating cancer immune evasion now includes CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1, CD27/CD70, FGL-1/LAG-3, Siglec-15, VISTA (PD-1L)/VSIG3, CD47/SIRPA, APOE/LILRB4, TIGIT, and many others. Despite these strides, most patients do not show lasting remission, and some cancers have been completely resistant to the therapy. The potentially lethal adverse effects of checkpoint blockade represent another major challenge, the mechanisms of which remain poorly understood. Compared to the cancer signaling pathways, such as p53 and Ras, mechanistic studies on immune checkpoint pathways are still in their infancy. To improve the responses to checkpoint blockade therapy and limit the adverse effects, it is essential to understand the molecular regulation of checkpoint molecules in both malignant and healthy cells/tissues. This book begins with an introduction to immune checkpoint therapy and its challenges, and subsequently describes the regulation of checkpoints at different levels. In closing, it discusses recent therapeutic developments based on mechanistic findings, and outlines goals for future translational studies. The book offers a valuable resource for researchers in the cancer immunotherapy field, helping to form a roadmap for checkpoint regulation and develop safer and more effective immunotherapies.




Small-molecule Transcription Factor Inhibitors in Oncology


Book Description

Oncogenic transcription factors are an increasingly important target for anticancer therapies. Inhibiting these transcription factors could allow tumour cells to be "reprogrammed", leading to apoptosis or differentiation from the malignant phenotype. As the use of kinase inhibitors is gradually declining, transcription factor inhibition is the next hot topic for oncology research and merits much attention. This book highlights recent progress in the development of small-molecule inhibitors of oncogenic transcription factors. It also presents the evidence that this important protein class can be modulated in a number of ways to develop novel classes of therapeutic agents. The broad range of aspects covered by the book is noteworthy and renders it enormously valuable. This title serves as a unique reference book for postgraduates, academic researchers and practitioners working in the fields of biochemistry, biotechnology, cell and molecular biology and bio-inorganic chemistry.




Kinomics


Book Description

Das umfassende Referenzwerk zur Kinase-Forschung: Ausführlich werden die Themen Kinase-Engineering, Peptidsubstrat-Engineering, das Design von Co-Substraten und Kinasehemmer erläutert sowie deren Anwendung in der Bio- und Pharmaforschung beschrieben.




Small-Molecule Transcription Factor Inhibitors in Oncology


Book Description

This book highlights recent progress in the development of small-molecule inhibitors of oncogenic transcription factors and is relevant for postgraduates, researchers and practitioners.




Heat Shock Proteins in Cancer


Book Description

Heat shock proteins are emerging as important molecules in the development of cancer and as key targets in cancer therapy. These proteins enhance the growth of cancer cells and protect tumors from treatments such as drugs or surgery. However, new drugs have recently been developed particularly those targeting heat shock protein 90. As heat shock protein 90 functions to stabilize many of the oncogenes and growth promoting proteins in cancer cells, such drugs have broad specificity in many types of cancer cell and offer the possibility of evading the development of resistance through point mutation or use of compensatory pathways. Heat shock proteins have a further property that makes them tempting targets in cancer immunotherapy. These proteins have the ability to induce an inflammatory response when released in tumors and to carry tumor antigens to antigen presenting cells. They have thus become important components of anticancer vaccines. Overall, heat shock proteins are important new targets in molecular cancer therapy and can be approached in a number of contrasting approaches to therapy.




Introduction to Epigenetics


Book Description

This open access textbook leads the reader from basic concepts of chromatin structure and function and RNA mechanisms to the understanding of epigenetics, imprinting, regeneration and reprogramming. The textbook treats epigenetic phenomena in animals, as well as plants. Written by four internationally known experts and senior lecturers in this field, it provides a valuable tool for Master- and PhD- students who need to comprehend the principles of epigenetics, or wish to gain a deeper knowledge in this field. After reading this book, the student will: Have an understanding of the basic toolbox of epigenetic regulation Know how genetic and epigenetic information layers are interconnected Be able to explain complex epigenetic phenomena by understanding the structures and principles of the underlying molecular mechanisms Understand how misregulated epigenetic mechanisms can lead to disease




HSF1 and Molecular Chaperones in Biology and Cancer


Book Description

Protein homeostasis, or “Proteostasis”, lies at the heart of human health and disease. From the folding of single polypeptide chains into functional proteins, to the regulation of intracellular signaling pathways, to the secreted signals that coordinate cells in tissues and throughout the body, the proteostasis network operates to support cell health and physiological fitness. However, cancer cells also hijack the proteostasis network and many of these same processes to sustain the growth and spread of tumors. The chapters in this book are written by world experts in the many facets of the proteostasis network. They describe cutting-edge insights into the structure and function of the major chaperone and degradation systems in healthy cells and how these systems are co-opted in cancer cells and the cells of the tumor microenvironment. The chapters also cover therapeutic interventions such as the FDA-approved proteasome inhibitors Velcade and Krypolis as well as other therapies currently under clinical investigation to disarm the ability of the proteostasis network to support malignancy. This compendium is the first of its kind and aims to serve as a reference manual for active investigators and a primer for newcomers to the field. This book is dedicated to the memory of Susan Lindquist, a pioneer of the proteostasis field and a champion of the power of basic scientific inquiry to unlock the mechanisms of human disease. The chapter “Reflections and Outlook on Targeting HSP90, HSP70 and HSF1 in Cancer: A Personal Perspective” is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.




Acute Leukemias IX


Book Description

Acute Leukemias IX provides an extended and thorough overview of recent developments in cell biology and experimental therapy for acute leukemias. Following the tradition of the Acute Leukemias series since 1987, this book bridges the gap between basic research and clinical studies and emphasizes that both aspects are equally necessary to achieve improvements, not only in understanding the disease but also in providing better therapy. As a forum for world-wide activities in the field of acute leukemias the volume contains invaluable contributions that provide the reader with new, previously unpublished information.




Protein Targeting with Small Molecules


Book Description

Discover the link between the latest chemical biology approaches and novel drug therapies! Protein Targeting with Small Molecules: Chemical Biology Techniques and Applications takes readers beyond the use of chemical biology in basic research, providing a highly relevant look at techniques that can address the challenges of biology and drug design and development. This indispensable bench companion features up-to-date coverage of advances in chemistry and assesses their impact on developing new therapeutics, making it ideal for chemical biologists and medicinal chemists who are developing small molecule drugs to target proteins and treat diseases. In addition, the book examines the full range of complex biological systems and their interrelationship with chemistry, from the interaction of biological response modifiers with proteins to the chemical biology of cell surface oligosaccharides. Distinguished by an overview of chemical biology that is reinforced and clarified by detailed examples and descriptions of techniques, Protein Targeting with Small Molecules: Chemical Biology Techniques and Applications: Introduces key technologies and methods of chemical biology designed to detect the interactions of small molecules and proteins Facilitates the discovery of small molecules that bind to proteins and describes the molecules' application in the investigation of biological processes Presents timely coverage of the development of fluorescent probes for small molecules, as well as the generation of small molecule ligands and inhibitors Reviews important techniques such as chemical genomics, target profiling, immobilization technology, detection methods, chemical inhibition, and structure-based targeting Offers a compelling synopsis of data that underscores the recent progress made in the area of targeting proteins by small molecules