Breast Cancer Research And Treatment

This book provides the reader with up-to-date information on important advances in the understanding of breast cancer and innovative approaches to its management. Current and emerging perspectives on genetics, biology, and prevention are first discussed in depth, and individual sections are then devoted to pathology, imaging, oncological surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, medical oncology, and radiotherapy. In each case the focus is on the most recent progress and/or state of the art therapies and techniques. Further topics to receive detailed consideration include particular conditions requiring multidisciplinary approaches, the investigation of new drugs and immunological agents, lifestyle and psychological aspects, and biostatistics and informatics. The book will be an excellent reference for practitioners, interns and residents in medical oncology, oncologic surgery, radiotherapy, pathology, and human genetics, researchers, and advanced medical students.

This book focuses on innovative treatment options for breast cancer, including surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapy and of course immunotherapy that is changing outcomes in some aggressive breast cancer histotypes. Subsequent chapters also address the ongoing emerging research in the screening, diagnostics, and management of all subtypes of breast cancers. All current landscapes and future perspectives in each molecular subtype: luminal, HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancers are discussed within the different chapters. Breast cancer is still the most common cancer and cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. The improvement of breast cancer outcome appears to be strictly related to the validation of precise biomarkers that enable us to better select personalized approaches in breast cancer management. The closing chapters deal with the challenges of conducting research in the era of precision medicine for cancer. The book is edited and authored by leading experts in this field and will be of interest for clinicians and scientists alike.

Breast cancer is a recognized disease around the world with varying patient outcomes based on the type of breast cancer, access to healthcare and other factors. Survival rates for breast cancer are significantly lower in metastatic cases than localized cases. Early diagnosis and effective treatments for the efficient management of breast cancer are now in demand , as they help to prolong patient life. There have been many breakthrough developments in the molecular biology of breast cancer research in recent times. Advancements in diagnostic techniques (imaging and biomarker detection) for breast cancer have improved the screening of the disease and have improved patient outcomes. Despite these enhancements, the disease is still lethal for patients and the search for a cure requires a complete understanding of the disease. Current Advances in Breast Cancer Research: A Molecular Approach presents a comprehensive overview of current basic and translational research on the subject. The 14 chapters of the book give emphasis to current knowledge about breast cancer, ongoing challenges, and innovative research findings by different research groups. Readers will find detailed information about breast cancer biology, genetics, clinical diagnostics and treatments. Additional information for advanced readers in life sciences, such as techniques relevant to genomics (including genetic fingerprinting), proteomics, metabolomics and medicine (such as imaging and molecular diagnostics) is also provided. The combination of both basic and advanced information makes this book a useful reference to the student and researcher, alike, seeking an understanding about breast cancer at a molecular level.

According to current statistical data, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer patients has improved in recent years, but the overall mortality rates have changed little. In 1993 Congress allocated $210 million for breast cancer research as part of the Department of Defense budget. An Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee was convened at that time to advise the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command on strategies for managing a breast cancer research program. This book evaluates the program's management and achievements to date. Although it is too early to evaluate the program in terms of breakthrough results and new insights produced by the funded projects or investigators, this book documents the process used to select research proposals for funding and analyzes the portfolio of funded projects in terms of their responsiveness to the recommendations and fundamental questions articulated in the 1993 IOM report.

Tamoxifen is a pioneering medicine for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. It is the first drug targeted therapy in cancer to be successful. Tamoxifen targets the tumor estrogen receptor. The therapy is known to have saved the lives of millions of women over the past 40 years. This monograph, written by V. Craig Jordan - known as the “father of tamoxifen” - and his Tamoxifen Team at the Georgetown University Washington DC, illustrates the journey of this milestone in medicine. It includes a personal interview with V. Craig Jordan about his four decades of discovery in breast cancer research and treatment. V. Craig Jordan was there for the birth of tamoxifen as he is credited for reinventing a “failed morning after contraceptive” to become the “gold standard” for the treatment of breast cancer. He contributed to every aspect of tamoxifen application in therapeutics and all aspects of tamoxifen’s pharmacology. He discovered the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and explored the new biology of estrogen-induced apoptosis.