Immunoconjugate Therapy Of Hematologic Malignancies

The hybridoma technique for producing monoclonal antibodies, developed by Drs. Kohler and Millstein in 1975, revolutionized the field of tumor immunology. It is now clear that there are antigens associated with or restricted to human neoplasms that have biologic significance. Monoclonal antibodies have already been demonstrated to have great immunodiagnostic value and it is anticipated that they will become a component of our therapeutic armamentarium. Most investigators in the field, however, feel that the true potential of monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy remains to be determined. Clearly the most encouraging results have been witnessed in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. This volume of CANCER TREATMENT AND RESEARCH explores the current state of the art of immunoconjugate therapy of hematologic malignancies. Immunoconjugate Therapy of Hematologic Malignancies provides an update of a rapidly advancing field. The preliminary experience of a number of investigators suggests a role for targeted therapy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. At the present time, immunoconjugates have, in most instances, been reserved for patients with advanced refractory disease. However, it is anticipated in the future that these reagents will be utilized as a complement to traditional therapy or as post-remission consolidation in patients with minimal residual disease. The obstacles have been defined; solutions will require further research and creative imagination.

There is no field of medicine in which advances in therapy have been so closely linked to a better understanding of molecular medicine than in the area of hematologic malignancies. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Advances in Hematologic Malignancies will provide practitioners and academic clinicians with a better understanding of the constant evolving concepts in this area.

Presents timely and authoritative information on the development of precision cancer therapies as applied to hematologic malignancies The Precision Cancer Therapies series focuses on how to understand and translate fundamental basic science into information that can be directly applied to patients to advance care. Each volume of the series integrates the relevant biological concepts and principles necessary for translating this science to practitioners of this science. Precision Cancer Therapies, Volume Two, focuses on sophisticated immunotherapies targeting cancers affecting the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Edited and authored by the foremost authorities in the field, this comprehensive reference text covers targeting of cell surface receptors, antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), targeting immune checkpoint, targeting macrophages, EBV-directed immunotherapies, tumor-associated antigens (TAA), and chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T). Divided into nine sections, Volume Two includes an overview of the history of immunotherapy development in cancer, as well as a concluding section addressing the mechanistic basis and role of immunomodulatory drugs, analytical tools to quantitate immune-mediated effects, and other topics in immunotherapy. Chapters on specific therapeutics or therapeutic classes include a basic explanation of the underlying pathway and target, the pharmacology of the drug/class, relevant preclinical and clinical data, and discussion of clinical management and potential predictive biomarkers of response. This book also: Delivers a definitive, state-of-the-art review of the relevant biology and its importance in the broader context of cancer biology Focuses on agents that mediate cell killing in lymphoma through a variety of immunologic mechanisms Covers FDA-approved drugs and their indications, as well as drugs currently in development Provides information on monotherapy and combination therapy, summary tables of trials, and discussion of toxicity and efficacy Includes boxed sections highlighting major unique points about the information in the chapter Precision Cancer Therapies, Volume Two: Immunologic Approaches for the Treatment of Lymphoid Malignancies, From Concept to Practice is an indispensable resource for medical, scientific, and allied medical professionals, advanced students, and interested general readers with background knowledge in the subject.

This book addresses a variety of ethical issues that arise in the care of oncology patients. Many volumes have been written on medical ethics in the past 30 years. However, few have focused on ethical issues specific to the care of cancer patients. This book brings together such a focused examination. The contributors are experienced clinicians, ethicists, medical humanists, and medical educators. The issues raised have direct relevance to the care of oncology patients in treatment as well as research settings. The chapters address issues that are central to contemporary medical practice and medical ethics inquiry. Any practicing clinician will be well aware of the problems of communication and how uncertainty, cross-cultural issues, and religious influences can impact patient care. The limits of care and the role of advance directives and palliative care are common issues that must be addressed in treating patients at the end of life. For oncologists and oncology patients, participation in clinical trials may be a thomy topic, especially when phase I clinical trials are being considered. The impact of managed care and reimbursement issues cannot be avoided in the contemporary patient care and similarly cannot be neglected when considering the ethical ramifications raised. No discussion of ethics in oncology can be complete without attention to the specific challenges raised by the pediatric patient with cancer. All of these topics are explored by the contributors to this book.

Technical and Biological Components of Marrow Transplantation presents up to date information on the scientific and technological advances that will extend and improve the clinical application of bone marrow transplantation. The book includes the latest information on chronic myeloid leukemia and thalassemia; advances in supportive care: cytokines and progenitor expansion; and cord stem cell technology. Soon more of patients will receive marrow transplants as part of the therapy for solid tumors and metabolic disease than for the treatment of hematologic disease. The contributors to this volume describe some of these applications, hinting at yet further, exciting possibilities.

Recent advances in radiation oncology have depended upon and are intertwined with subsequent scientific discoveries and the development of new techniques in the fields of radiation and molecular biology, physics, electrical engineering, surgery, and medical oncology. This volume describes how some of the recent discoveries in the radiological sciences have influenced the way radiation oncology is practised. As there are many advances in this field, the Editors have chosen to concentrate on selected topics in clinical radiotherapy, radiation physics and biology, and technical innovations that have had a major impact on radiation oncology in the past twenty years. It is hoped that the techniques described in this volume will increase tumor control and prolong patient survival and at the same time decrease radiation-induced side effects and complications.