Signal Transduction in Cancer


Book Description

One of the most exciting areas of cancer research now is the development of agents which can target signal transduction pathways that are activated inappropriately in malignant cells. The understanding of the molecular abnormalities which distinguish malignant cells from their normal counterparts has grown tremendously. This volume summarizes the current research on the role that signal transduction pathways play in the pathogenesis of cancer and how this knowledge may be used to develop the next generation of more effective and less toxic anticancer agents. Series Editor comments: "The biologic behavior of both normal and cancer cells is determined by critical signal transduction pathways. This text provides a comprehensive review of the field. Leading investigators discuss key molecules that may prove to be important diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets."




Advances in Cancer Signal Transduction and Therapy


Book Description

Cancer is driven by numerous genetic and epigenetic changes occurring at the cellular level. These changes drive normal cells to proliferate and escape processes that usually regulate their survival and migration. Many of these alterations are often associated with signaling pathways which regulate cell growth and division, cell death, survival, invasion and metastasis, and angiogenesis. Almost all cancer cells show high expression of signaling components including growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), small GTPases, serine/threonine kinases, cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases, lipid kinases, estrogen receptor, activation of transcription factors Myc and NF-κB, etc. Updated knowledge about these signaling components is highly desirable for researchers involved in developing therapies against cancer. Signal Transduction Research for Cancer Therapy covers advancements in research on the signaling pathways in the human body, especially in some types of cancers, such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer. Key features of this volume include 8 focused topical reviews on signaling pathways in a specific cancer type, coverage of multiple cancer types (breast cancer, colon cancer, hepatocellular cancer, multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia, and pancreatic cancer), and coverage of a wide array of signaling pathways (both receptor mediated and non receptor mediated pathways). This volume is essential reading for researchers in pharmaceutical R&D and postgraduate research programs in pharmacology and allied disciplines. Clinicians involved in oncology will also benefit from the information provided in the chapters. [Series Intro] This series provides scientists and clinicians with updated clinical information about signal transduction that will be valuable in their pursuit to investigate, develop, and apply novel agents to prevent or treat life-threatening diseases such as cancer. Contributions to the series will focus on methods that also enhance the quality of life for patients.




Cancer Signaling


Book Description

Cancer, which has become the second-most prevalent health issue globally, is essentially a malfunction of cell signaling. Understanding how the intricate signaling networks of cells and tissues allow cancer to thrive - and how they can be turned into potent weapons against it - is the key to managing cancer in the clinic and improving the outcome of cancer therapies. In their ground-breaking textbook, the authors provide a compelling story of how cancer works on the molecular level, and how targeted therapies using kinase inhibitors and other modulators of signaling pathways can contain and eventually cure it. The first part of the book gives an introduction into the cell and molecular biology of cancer, focusing on the key mechanisms of cancer formation. The second part of the book introduces the main signaling transduction mechanisms responsible for carcinogenesis and compares their function in healthy versus cancer cells. In contrast to the complexity of its topic, the text is easy to read. 32 specially prepared teaching videos on key concepts and pathways in cancer signaling are available online for users of the print edition and have been integrated into the text in the enhanced e-book edition.




Targeted Therapies in Breast Cancer


Book Description

This new volume updates the reader on selected areas of targeted therapy in breast cancer, with special emphasis on chemoprevention strategies, drug resistance, biomarkers, combination chemotherapy, angiogenesis inhibition and pharmacogenomics in the context of clinical efficacy. This selected review of targeted therapies will guide the reader on effective treatment as part of an integrated programme of patient management.




Advances in Breast Cancer Management, 2nd edition


Book Description

The optimal management of breast cancer patients relies on the expertise of a team of medical specialists including radiologists, surgeons, radiation therapists and medical oncologists. Much of the progress in breast cancer management made over the last several years reflects the translation of observations made in the laboratory to the clinic. Critically evaluating the impact of new treatment approaches relies on a commitment to well-designed clinical trials. In this volume, Advances in Breast Cancer Management, a renowned group of breast cancer experts have been asked to provide their perspective on management issues that directly effect patients on a day-to-day basis. Dr. Melody Cobleigh discusses the consequences of estrogen deprivation and the ways of ameliorating secondary symptoms and the potential long-term morbidity. Drs. Haigh and Guiliano review the sentinel lymph node biopsy technique including results from their extensive experience. Dr. Abram Recht places into perspective the potential benefit of post-mastectomy radiotherapy and reviews recent trials that address this issue. Dr. Dennis Slamon takes from us from the laboratory to the clinic in explaining the development of Herceptin as a paradigm for therapy targeted to specific molecular characteristics of breast cancer tumor cells. Drs. Nieto, Shpall, Crump and Pritchard offer different perspectives on the future of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplantation as a treatment for breast cancer patients. Drs.




Advanced Drug Delivery Systems in the Management of Cancer


Book Description

Advanced Drug Delivery Systems in the Management of Cancer discusses recent developments in nanomedicine and nano-based drug delivery systems used in the treatment of cancers affecting the blood, lungs, brain, and kidneys. The research presented in this book includes international collaborations in the area of novel drug delivery for the treatment of cancer. Cancer therapy remains one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine, as successful treatment requires the elimination of malignant cells that are closely related to normal cells within the body. Advanced drug delivery systems are carriers for a wide range of pharmacotherapies used in many applications, including cancer treatment. The use of such carrier systems in cancer treatment is growing rapidly as they help overcome the limitations associated with conventional drug delivery systems. Some of the conventional limitations that these advanced drug delivery systems help overcome include nonspecific targeting, systemic toxicity, poor oral bioavailability, reduced efficacy, and low therapeutic index. This book begins with a brief introduction to cancer biology. This is followed by an overview of the current landscape in pharmacotherapy for the cancer management. The need for advanced drug delivery systems in oncology and cancer treatment is established, and the systems that can be used for several specific cancers are discussed. Several chapters of the book are devoted to discussing the latest technologies and advances in nanotechnology. These include practical solutions on how to design a more effective nanocarrier for the drugs used in cancer therapeutics. Each chapter is written with the goal of informing readers about the latest advancements in drug delivery system technologies while reinforcing understanding through various detailed tables, figures, and illustrations. Advanced Drug Delivery Systems in the Management of Cancer is a valuable resource for anyone working in the fields of cancer biology and drug delivery, whether in academia, research, or industry. The book will be especially useful for researchers in drug formulation and drug delivery as well as for biological and translational researchers working in the field of cancer. - Presents an overview of the recent perspectives and challenges within the management and diagnosis of cancer - Provides insights into how advanced drug delivery systems can effectively be used in the management of a wide range of cancers - Includes up-to-date information on diagnostic methods and treatment strategies using controlled drug delivery systems




Apoptosis and Cancer


Book Description




Medicinal Chemistry of Anticancer Drugs


Book Description

Medicinal Chemistry of Anticancer Drugs, Second Edition, provides an updated treatment from the point of view of medicinal chemistry and drug design, focusing on the mechanism of action of antitumor drugs from the molecular level, and on the relationship between chemical structure and chemical and biochemical reactivity of antitumor agents. Antitumor chemotherapy is a very active field of research, and a huge amount of information on the topic is generated every year. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is gradually being supplemented by a new generation of drugs that recognize specific targets on the surface or inside cancer cells, and resistance to antitumor drugs continues to be investigated. While these therapies are in their infancy, they hold promise of more effective therapies with fewer side effects. Although many books are available that deal with clinical aspects of cancer chemotherapy, this book provides a sorely needed update from the point of view of medicinal chemistry and drug design. - Presents information in a clear and concise way using a large number of figures - Historical background provides insights on how the process of drug discovery in the anticancer field has evolved - Extensive references to primary literature




Autophagy and Cancer


Book Description

With the explosion of information on autophagy in cancer, this is an opportune time to speed the efforts to translate our current knowledge about autophagy regulation into better understanding of its role in cancer. This book will cover the latest advances in this area from the basics, such as the molecular machinery for autophagy induction and regulation, up to the current areas of interest such as modulation of autophagy and drug discovery for cancer prevention and treatment. The text will include an explanation on how autophagy can function in both oncogenesis and tumor suppression and a description of its function in tumor development and tumor suppression through its roles in cell survival, cell death, cell growth as well as its influences on inflammation, immunity, DNA damage, oxidative stress, tumor microenvironment, etc. The remaining chapters will cover topics on autophagy and cancer therapy. These pages will serve as a description on how the pro-survival function of autophagy may help cancer cells resist chemotherapy and radiation treatment as well as how the pro-death functions of autophagy may enhance cell death in response to cancer therapy, and how to target autophagy for cancer prevention and therapy − what to target and how to target it. ​




Inflammation and Cancer


Book Description

This volume examines in detail the role of chronic inflammatory processes in the development of several types of cancer. Leading experts describe the latest results of molecular and cellular research on infection, cancer-related inflammation and tumorigenesis. Further, the clinical significance of these findings in preventing cancer progression and approaches to treating the diseases are discussed. Individual chapters cover cancer of the lung, colon, breast, brain, head and neck, pancreas, prostate, bladder, kidney, liver, cervix and skin as well as gastric cancer, sarcoma, lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma.