Immunology Of Pregnancy And Cancer

Immunology of Pregnancy & Cancer

This book covers in detail contemporary hypotheses and studies related to the immunology of implantation and provides a practical approach for the application of basic reproductive immunology research to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, pre-term labor and IUGR. Provides complete and up to date review of current knowledge of the role of the immune system during pregnancy and the interactions between the placenta and the maternal immune system.

Cancer and Pregnancy covers the clinical challenges to diagnosing and treating malignancies in the pregnant patient; however, the book also shows how an understanding of the common features of both processes (rapid cell proliferation) may lead to novel anti-cancer treatment options. The book should be read by obstetricians and gynaecologists, clinical oncologists, reproduction specialists, and those involved in investigation of development, biology, toxicology, immunology, as well as cancer research.

Over the last several decades, many biologists have been intrigued with the "immunological paradox" of pregnancy, where maternal and fetal tissues peaceably coexist despite their genetic differences. With the development of new insights on the interactive components of the immune system as well as the generation of powerful new molecular and cellular tools, singular progress has been made in understanding immunological events that culminate in successful pregnancy. This volume contains the proceedings for the first US symposium on the "Immunobiology of Reproduction" held August 26 - 29, 1993 in Boston, Massachusetts. Papers address hemotopoietic cells in reproductive tissues; growth factors/cytokines in the female reproductive tract and placenta; growth factor networks in pregnancy loss and cancer; placental expression of major histocompatibility complex and associated genes; experimental models of MHC gene expression; and immunological aspects of human infertility.

This book presents the discipline of immunology which studies a unique physiological phenomenon contradicting many of the generally established rules in the field: immunology of pregnancy. It provides a wide overview of the current research of this topic. Prominent and leading international groups contributed by reviewing the most significant findings in the field.