Liver Carcinogenesis

Because of its marked capacity to regenerate and the ability of chemical carcinogens and viruses to ready transform hepatocytes, the liver has been used extensively as a model for investigating the molecular mechanisms of cellular proliferation and carcinogenesis. Recently, striking advances have occured in the understanding of hepatocyte growth regulation and the manner in which chemical agents and viruses alter these normal growth regulatory pathways in liver carcinogenesis. This explosion of information has occured in a multitude of researh disciplines. This book brings together current findings in a coherent manner, from a molecular point of view. Three sections cover in detail the areas of liver regeneration, liver carcinogenesis, and liver tumor therapy. The contributors are pioneers and leaders in this field. * Logical organization of material in three detailed and comprehensive sections: liver regeneration, liver carcinogenesis, and liver tumor treatment * Contributors are pioneers and leaders in the field * There are currently no books on this subject on the market * Research focus is at the molecular level

During the last years much attention has been given to the investigation of the roles of specific growth modulators acting on liver cell populations. HGF functions as a pleotropic factor in the liver as well as in other extrahepatic tissues. The hepatic stem cell compartment is thought to play a major role in liver tissue restoration. Mechanisms of cell growth and cell death of the liver are described in detail, with particular emphasis on apoptosis. The functions of HBV-pX protein and the roles of hepatitis B virus gene expression relation to hepatocellular carcinoma are discussed. Techniques for obtaining human and nonhuman hepatocytes and other liver cell types and for efficient transfer and expression of genes in hepatocytes and liver-derived cell lines are presented.

The meeting on experimental hepatocarcinogenesis which took place in Spa, Belgium at the end of May 1987 was the Second European Meeting. About 100 scientists, mostly from Europe but also from the United States, met there for three days in a very friendly atmosphere to exchange knowledge and ideas on experimental and human liver carcinogenesis. The main topics discussed during the meeting included general reviews on hepatocarcinogenesis, experimental models of hepa tocarcinogenesis, biology of hepatocarcinogenesis, and in vitro studies in hepatocarcinogenesis. They are all covered by the various chapters of this proceedings volume, which reflects the present state of knowledge in this important field of cancer research. The final aim of that research is to understand the basic mechanisms of carcinogenesis. The liver offers a parti cularly interesting tool to reach such a goal. Indeed, its biochemistry, its morphology, and its physiology are very diverse, but relatively well known. Various protocols have been developed to produce hepatocellular carcinomas or other malignant tumors. Their appearance is most often preceded by phenotypically altered foci and nodules which have been isolated and characterized. The major cell populations of normal, neoplastic, and malignant livers have been cultivated.

Liver Cell Cancer focuses on liver cell cancer, which is considered one of the most aggressive malignant tumors, and in turn, one of the most intensively studied tumors in man and experimental animals. This book discusses the geographic pathology, alpha-fetoprotein, diagnosis, treatment, and background of liver cell cancer. The clinical problem of liver cell cancer in a high incidence area; primary hepatocellular carcinoma; induction of liver cell cancer by chemicals; cell proliferation and experimental liver cancer; and immunology and pathology of experimental liver cell cancer are also discussed in the chapters. This book aims to provide a ready reference for clinicians for research, present a clear and unambiguous picture to research workers of the problems inherent in the clinical situation, and introduce a reasoned assessment of the findings, both clinical and experimental.

"Primary Liver Cancer: Challenges and Perspectives" presents the recent progress in basic and clinical research in Primary Liver Cancer (PLC) in China and around the world. PLC patients in China make up more than 50% of the total patients worldwide. By contributing to the book, the leading experts in the field of liver cancer in China as well as in the US share with readers their new concepts, practices, and experiences from bench to bed, from population study to individual survey, from molecular search to clinical practice, and from early diagnosis to treatment. The book is intended for researchers in the fields of epidemiology, molecular genetics, cell biology, immunology of HCC and other cancers, and clinical oncology in primary liver cancer. Jianren Gu is a Professor of molecular oncology at the Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Dx/Rx: Liver Cancer is a quick and practical reference guide containing all aspects of the diagnosis and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), prognostic and staging systems, clinical management, molecular biology, current controversies, and future insights. Organized into a condensed, bulleted format, this concise reference offers precise and up-to-date information on the epidemiology, classification, diagnosis, treatment, and risk factors for cancers of the liver. Presented in a handy, easy-to-read format, Dx/Rx: Liver Cancer is a must-have resource for oncologists, internists, primary care physicians, and other health care professionals on the ward or in the clinic.