Cell Differentiation And Neoplasia

There is no commonly accepted mechanism to explain differentiation of either normal or neoplastic cells. Despite this fact, the organizers of the 3 rd International Conference on Differentiation recognized that there is much emerging evidence which supports the view that both normal cells and many cancer cells share common differentiative processes. Accordingly, the organizers perceived that clinical scientists and developmental biologists would greatly benefit by together considering differentiation. In that way, developmental biologists would be apprised of recent insights in cancer cell biology and the physician scientist would be updated on events in developmental biology and both would gain new understanding of the cell biology of neoplasia. A specific example may reveal the potential value of developmental biologists interacting with cancer physicians. An example chosen at random suggests that probably any paper included in the symposium volume would serve the purpose. Dr. Stephen Subtelny reviewed recent studies by his laboratory concerning germ cell migration and replication in frog embryos. How might those results interest the cancer scientist? Dr. Subtelny showed that primordial germ cells of a fertile graft will reverse their migratory direction and move into a sterile host. Perhaps in this context it would not be inappropriate to state that the germ cells of the graft metastasized into the host. Germ cells from grafts of a different species will populate the previously sterile host gonad.

Significant recent advances in cell culture technology now permit a detailed biochemical and molecular analysis of differentiation in both normal and tumor cells. These studies are important in attempting to understand the complex factors involved in normal growth and development, as well as the abnormalities associated with carcinogenesis. Mechanisms of Differentiation, Volumes I and II, is comprised of review chapters addressing various topics of current interest in this important area of research. Topics discussed include genes controlling differentiation, changes in gene expression during differentiation, induction of differentiation, induction of differentiation as a mode of action of chemotherapeutic agents, and the effect of cell shape, growth factors and differentiation modulating agents on the differentiated cell phenotype. Mechanisms of Differentiation is valuable to researchers involved in differentiation and development, carcinogenesis, cell biology, chemotherapy, and immunology.

This book provides readers with an overview of the frequent occurrence of asymmetric cell division. Employing a broad range of examples, it highlights how this mode of cell division constitutes the basis of multicellular organism development and how its misregulation can lead to cancer. To underline such developmental correlations, readers will for example gain insights into stem cell fate and tumor growth. In turn, subsequent chapters include descriptions of asymmetric cell division from unicellular organisms to humans in both physiological and pathological conditions. The book also illustrates the importance of this process for evolution and our need to understand the background mechanisms, offering a valuable guide not only for students in the field of developmental biology but also for experienced researchers from neighboring fields.

Annotation G.V. Sherbet provides insights into the signalling processes involved in morphogenesis and pathogenesis with emphasis on using the elements of the signalling cascades as targets for therapeutic deployment. The book focuses on the relationships and convergence of growth factors and their receptors in development and pathogenesis.