Chemosensitizing Effect Of Natural Products Against Cancers Applications In Enhancing Chemotherapy And Immunotherapy

Chemotherapy is one of the major treatment options for cancer patients; however, the efficacy of chemotherapeutic management of cancer is severely limited by multidrug resistance, in that cancer cells become simultaneously resistant to many structurally and mechanistically unrelated drugs. In the past three decades, a number of mechanisms by which cancer cells acquire multidrug resistance have been discovered. In addition, the development of agents or strategies to overcome resistance has been the subject of intense study. This book contains comprehensive and up-to-date reviews of multidrug resistance mechanisms, from over-expression of ATP-binding cassette drug transporters such as P-glycoprotein, multidrug resistance-associated proteins, and breast cancer resistance p- tein to the drug ratio-dependent antagonism and the paradigm of cancer stem cells. The book also includes strategies to overcome multidrug resistance, from the development of compounds that inhibit drug transporter function to the modulation of transporter expression. In addition, this book contains techniques for the detection and imaging of drug transporters, methods for the investigation of drug resistance in animal models, and strategies to evaluate the efficacy of resistance reversal agents. The book intends to provide a state-of-the-art collection of reviews and methods for both basic and clinician investigators who are interested in cancer multidrug resistance mechanisms and reversal strategies. Tianjin, China Jun Zhou v Contents Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v Contributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix 1 Multidrug Resistance in Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Bruce C. Baguley 2 Multidrug Resistance in Oncology and Beyond: From Imaging of Drug Efflux Pumps to Cellular Drug Targets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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.

Research on vitamin C and its effects on cancer is growing in popularity around the world as positive research continues to accumulate building a stronger case for its effectiveness. This concise SpringerBrief on Vitamin C and Cancer presents the latest findings on how vitamin C induces apoptosis. A high concentration of vitamin C allows for ascorbate to generate hydrogen peroxide in tissue that can selectively kill cancer cells. Research has confirmed that high-dose vitamin C is cytotoxic to a wide variety of cancer cell lines, and that it also boosts the anti-cancer activity of several common chemotherapy drugs. Vitamin C also does more than just kill cancer cells. It boosts immunity by stimulating collagen formation to help the body wall off the tumor. It inhibits hyaluronidase, an enzyme that tumors use to metastasize and invade other organs throughout the body. This concise and up-to-date Brief is geared towards cancer researchers and scientists, as well as physicians interested in the basic science and the translational potential of vitamin C in cancer therapeutics.

Development of cancer, a dreadful disease of mankind, is a multi-stage process involving numerous molecular alterations at both genomic and proteomic levels. Immense research for the past several decades in the field of cancer identified many such mutations and their role in carcinogenesis. Concept of 'fusion genes' seeded way back in 20th century has now grown into a new field of cancer research. However, there is a lack of knowledge among scientists about these fusion genes and their importance in cancer, which can be mainly attributed to unavailability of a comprehensive book on this topic. Therefore, this book is first of its kind and aims at giving a detailed idea on the formation of gene fusions and their importance in the development and progression of cancer; techniques to identify novel gene fusions; and therapeutics available to target various fusion proteins and their impact in cancer therapy by compiling the information from the literature available till date. Contents:Cancer — An Overview and Molecular Alterations in Cancer (Nand K Roy, Devivasha Bordoloi, Javadi Monisha, Anand Anip, Ganesan Padmavathi and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Basic Concepts of Fusion Genes and Their Classification (Ganesan Padmavathi, Nand K Roy, Devivasha Bordoloi, Javadi Monisha and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Techniques to Identify Novel Fusion Genes and to Detect Known Fusion Genes (Nand K Roy, Ganesan Padmavathi, Devivasha Bordoloi and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)The Receptor Tyrosine Kinase ALK — Its Fusion Partners and Their Implication in Various Cancers(Ganesan Padmavathi, Krishan Kumar Thakur, Anand Anip, Devivasha Bordoloi and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Role of BCR-ABL Fusion Kinase in the Development of Leukemia (Ganesan Padmavathi, Kishore Banik, Nand K Roy, Javadi Monisha and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)BRD4-NUT Fusion Oncoprotein and Its Significance in the Initiation and Progression of NUT Midline Carcinoma (Ganesan Padmavathi, Devivasha Bordoloi, Kishore Banik and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Importance of CBFB-MYH11 — A Chimeric Transcriptional Regulator in Leukemia (Ganesan Padmavathi, Choudhary Harsha, Devivasha Bordoloi, Krishan Kumar Thakur and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Rearrangements Involving ETS Family of Genes and Their Role in Different Cancers (Ganesan Padmavathi, Javadi Monisha, Kishore Banik, Choudhary Harsha, Devivasha Bordoloi and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Translocation of FET Family Members with Various Partner Genes and Their Role in Cancer Development (Ganesan Padmavathi, Devivasha Bordoloi, Anand Anip, Krishan Kumar Thakur and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Translocations of FGF and FGFR Proteins and Their Effect in Cancer (Ganesan Padmavathi, Javadi Monisha, Choudhary Harsha and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)IG/MYC and Its Implication in Cancer (Ganesan Padmavathi, Kishore Banik, Krishan Kumar Thakur and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Chimeric RAF Kinases in the Development of Cancer (Ganesan Padmavathi, Kishore Banik, Devivasha Bordoloi, Choudhary Harsha and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma (MEC) and Associated MAML2 Fusion Genes (Ganesan Padmavathi, Choudhary Harsha, Devivasha Bordoloi, Kishore Banik and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Mixed Lineage Leukemia/AF9 Fusion and Associated Leukemia (Ganesan Padmavathi, Choudhary Harsha and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)MYB-NFIB Fusion Gene — Hallmark of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) (Ganesan Padmavathi, Krishan Kumar Thakur and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Translocations Involving PAX Family Genes and Their Effect in Cancer (Ganesan Padmavathi, Krishan Kumar Thakur and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Retinoic Acid Receptor Alpha (RARα) Fusion Genes in Leukemia (Ganesan Padmavathi, Javadi Monisha, Anand Anip, Krishan Kumar Thakur and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)RET/PTC Translocations and Thyroid Malignancies (Ganesan Padmavathi, Devivasha Bordoloi, Anand Anip, Choudhary Harsha and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)RUNX1 or AML1 Fusion Genes in Leukemia and Other Cancers (Ganesan Padmavathi, Javadi Monisha, Kishore Banik, Choudhary Harsha, Devivasha Bordoloi and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Recently Discovered Fusion Genes and Their Implications in Cancer (Ganesan Padmavathi, Devivasha Bordoloi, Javadi Monisha, Nand K Roy, Choudhary Harsha and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara)Targeting Fusion Genes for Cancer Therapy (Nand K Roy, Devivasha Bordoloi, Ganesan Padmavathi and Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara) Readership: Scientists working in the field of cancer biology, cancer genomics and proteomics. Also specialists and researchers in diverse fields of disease pathogenesis as it provides collective information about fusion genes and cancer from the basics to the targeted therapies.

Role of Nutraceuticals in Chemoresistance to Cancer, Volume Two, focuses on nutraceuticals, the compounds derived from natural sources, which are usually multi-targeted as a means to overcome chemoresistance. This book discusses the role of several compounds related to nutraceuticals and chemoresistance, such as curcumin, resveratrol, indole 3-carbinol, tocotrienols, ursolic acid, fisetin, celastrol, gambogic, butein, catechins and silymarin. It is a valuable resource for cancer researchers, oncologists and members of several areas of the biomedical field who are interested in understanding how to use nutraceuticals as a sensitizing agent for chemotherapy. Brings updated information on natural compounds used as specific inhibitors of cell signaling pathways as reviewed by experts in the field Presents experts analysis and summary of reported and novel findings and potential translational application in cancer patients Describes molecular mechanisms with new and helpful approaches for the readers to use in their own investigations

This book is focused on clarifying the anticancer effects (i.e., apoptotic, antiproliferative, antimetastatic, antiangiogenic) and mechanisms of most of the medicinal plants found in the world against solid and/or hematological cancers.

The book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of phytochemicals as efficient cancer therapeutics. Over the last few decades there has been a paradigm shift from conventional cancer therapeutic approaches to alternative and complementary medicinal approaches especially using phytoconstituents from natural products. As such, the book provides an in-depth understanding of phytochemicals targeting diverse signaling pathways involved in cancer along with the evaluation of the cancer modulatory effects of phytochemicals. It also highlights the potential modulatory effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the cancer-associated cellular pathways and their interactions with the phytochemicals. Further, it analyzes the drug delivery methods, bioavailability of active components of botanicals, and toxicity of phytochemicals. Lastly, the book elucidates the 3D cell culture and animal models systems to analyze the beneficial effects of phytochemicals in cancer.