Normal And Malignant Liver Cell Growth

Although cell turnover in normal adult liver is extremely low, hepatic tissue is notorious for its almost infinite capacity to regenerate in cases of viral, toxic or traumatic damage. Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignancies worldwide and causes more than a million deaths per year. The mechanisms governing normal proliferation and malignant transformation of liver cells are of utmost interest for the understanding of regeneration and hepatocarcinogenesis and for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Therefore, the International Falk Workshop held in Halle, Germany, on January 29-30 1998, focused on the issues of normal and malignant liver cell growth. Knowledge in this area of research has expanded rapidly during recent years. This book of proceedings summarizes the latest advances both in basic science and clinical research. Stimulating discussion set the basis for the development of new strategies in diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and for the manipulation of regeneration in cases of acute or chronic loss of functional liver tissue.

Normal and Malignant Cell Growth is a compendium of papers from the "Proceedings of the Third Cancer Training Grant" of the University of Chicago that deals with the processes associated with malignant neoplasia, as well as the cell proliferation kinetics of normal tissues. One paper presents the techniques used in the study on the proliferation kinetics of hemopoietic stem cells, suggesting that the hemopoietic stem cell population is not homogenous but consists of a "primitive pluripotential stem cell." A series of experiments at the Brookhaven National Laboratory investigates the relationship of cell survival, specifically that of stem cells, to the survival of the irradiated test animal. One result of the experiment shows a rapid migration of a number of stem cells from shielded marrow into unshielded marrow at the pressure of a rapid circulating pool. The numbers of stem cells are somewhat dependent on the dose given to the unshielded marrow, and are greater with the greater dose. Another paper also investigates the four methods that are used in the study of cellular kinetics in human tumors. This compendium can prove helpful for biochemists, micro-biologists, cellular researchers, and academicians involved in the study of cellular biology, physiology or oncology.

Stem Cells and Cancer in Hepatology: From the Essentials to Application offers basic scientists and clinicians in the fields of stem cells, hepatology and oncology an overview of the interaction between liver biology, stem cells and cancer. It discusses how the liver performs regeneration and repair, the role stem cells play in these processes, and the mechanisms by which liver cancers are initiated and developed. As the field of stem cells and cancer stem cells in hepatology is new and dynamic, thus making it difficult for researchers and clinicians to understand the most relevant historic and novel studies, this volume addresses that challenge. Addresses both the basic and clinical perspectives of the topic, including sections on normal and cancer stem cells of the liver Provides coverage of the molecular mechanisms of liver development, the proliferation of hepatic progenitor cells during development, epithelial cell plasticity, generation of hepatocytes by transdifferentiation, liver tissue engineering, and more Presents a study of hepatic stem cells that will help readers understand critical events during development, stem cell differentiation towards functional liver cell fate, and tumor initiation

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.

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

Primary liver cancer occurs when cancerous (malignant) cells begin to grow in the tissues of liver. Although many cancers are on the decline, the incidence of primary liver cancer in the United States increased over 70 percent between 1975 and 1995. The increase is linked to rising rates of hepatitis B and C infection -- the leading causes of liver cancer. Far more common than primary liver cancer, however, is cancer that occurs when tumours from other parts of the body spread (metastasize) to the liver. The liver is especially vulnerable to invasion by tumour cells and with the exception of the lymph nodes, is the most common site of metastasis. There are two main kinds of liver cancer. Hepatoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Heptoma is cancer of the hepatocytes. (The main functioning liver cell). Hepatoma is primary liver cancer. Hepatoma usually grows in the liver as a ball-like tumour, invading the normal tissue surrounding it. Cancer of the bile duct cells is called cholangiocarcinoma. Cholangiocarcinoma originates in the bile ducts and is often caused by infestation with the liver fluke Clonorchis (a parasite). The cancer grows along the bile ducts in sheets or lines, and is difficult to find on X-ray studies. This book presents the latest new research developments from around the world in the field of liver cancer.

Genetic alterations in cancer, in addition to being the fundamental drivers of tumorigenesis, can give rise to a variety of metabolic adaptations that allow cancer cells to survive and proliferate in diverse tumor microenvironments. This metabolic flexibility is different from normal cellular metabolic processes and leads to heterogeneity in cancer metabolism within the same cancer type or even within the same tumor. In this book, we delve into the complexity and diversity of cancer metabolism, and highlight how understanding the heterogeneity of cancer metabolism is fundamental to the development of effective metabolism-based therapeutic strategies. Deciphering how cancer cells utilize various nutrient resources will enable clinicians and researchers to pair specific chemotherapeutic agents with patients who are most likely to respond with positive outcomes, allowing for more cost-effective and personalized cancer therapeutic strategies.