Oncogenes

Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine, Ninth Edition, offers a balanced view of the most current knowledge of cancer science and clinical oncology practice. This all-new edition is the consummate reference source for medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, internists, surgical oncologists, and others who treat cancer patients. A translational perspective throughout, integrating cancer biology with cancer management providing an in depth understanding of the disease An emphasis on multidisciplinary, research-driven patient care to improve outcomes and optimal use of all appropriate therapies Cutting-edge coverage of personalized cancer care, including molecular diagnostics and therapeutics Concise, readable, clinically relevant text with algorithms, guidelines and insight into the use of both conventional and novel drugs Includes free access to the Wiley Digital Edition providing search across the book, the full reference list with web links, illustrations and photographs, and post-publication updates

How is growth controlled in normal cells? How are the growth control mechanisms perturbed in cancer cells? This book provides an up-to-date description of research aimed at resolving these questions. It is organized into four sections, each containing a series of short reviews written by experts in the field. The general headings are: growth factors, receptors, and related oncogenes: transduction of mitogenic signals and ras oncogenes; nuclear oncogenes and regulation of gene expression; and multiple steps involved in malignant transformation. The articles emphasize concepts rather than detailed facts and are intended not only for specialists in the field but also for interested readers, such as physicians and advanced students, who wish to stay abreast of developments in one of the most exciting fields in current biomedical research.

The Second Edition of The Oncogene and Tumour Suppressor Gene FactsBook has been completely revised, updated, and expanded by 60%. The book contains more than 80 entries on oncogenes including JUN, MYC, and RAS, as well as DNA tumour viruses, tumour suppressor genes, including p53, retinoblastoma, BRCA1, BRCA2, VHL, F2FL, and essential material on angiogenesis and metastasis, apoptosis, cell cycle control, and gene therapy. Includes much new data on this fast-moving field, including newly discovered oncogenes Summarizes the clinical association and molecular properties of all known oncogenes and tumor suppression genes Contains more than 2000 terms for reference and further research Revised to included signaling pathways, apoptosis, and metastasis

An oncogene is a modified gene, or a series of nucleotides that encode a protein, and direct the cell to the development of a neoplastic phenotype. Usually, oncogenes are involved in tumour development and increase the possibility that the development of a cell directs towards cancer. In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the classification, mechanisms of activation and role in cancer development of oncogenes. Topics include the role of oncogenes in gynaecological pathology; oncomirs as the next frontier of oncogenes affecting cancer aetiology and tumour progression; the role of the epidermal growth factor receptor as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma and other malignancies; and tumour suppressers involved in DNA repair and carcinoprevention.

According to author Harvey Bialy, the work of molecular biologist Peter Duesberg has been grossly distorted by the media and scientific establishments. Until recently, the scientific community--and most notably, those from the National Institute for Health--have been unwilling to look at his provocative theories of different causes for cancer and HIV/AIDS. Inspired by UC Berkeley's rare creation of an archive for Duesberg's papers, this book explores Duesberg's early groundbreaking work with viruses and oncogenes, his contentious fights with other scientists, and the profound influence of his life's work.

Discoveries that a small subset of cellular genes --- proto-oncogenes --- are frequent targets of carinogenic insults or chance that convert them to oncogenes have opened new areas of approach to understanding and eventually controlling the events leading to cancer. New technology has made it possible not only to identify genes involved in the etiology of cancer, but to dissect their molecular composition. This symposium brought together scientists from areas of carcinogenesis and molecular biology to review the state-of-the-art in this field. The papers presented in this proceedings volume can be grouped into four broad areas: the mechanisms of onc gene activation and associations of onc genes with tumours, the mechanisms of onc gene action, the physiology of proto-onc genes, and the discovery and characterization of new onc genes.

Popular understanding holds that genetic changes create cancer. James DeGregori uses evolutionary principles to propose a new way of thinking about cancerÕs occurrence. Cancer is as much a disease of evolution as it is of mutation, one in which mutated cells outcompete healthy cells in the ecosystem of the bodyÕs tissues. His theory ties cancerÕs progression, or lack thereof, to evolved strategies to maximize reproductive success. Through natural selection, humans evolved genetic programs to maintain bodily health for as long as necessary to increase the odds of passing on our genesÑbut not much longer. These mechanisms engender a tissue environment that favors normal stem cells over precancerous ones. Healthy tissues thwart cancer cellsÕ ability to outcompete their precancerous rivals. But as our tissues age or accumulate damage from exposures such as smoking, normal stem cells find themselves less optimized to their ecosystem. Cancer-causing mutations can now help cells adapt to these altered tissue environments, and thus outcompete normal cells. Just as changes in a speciesÕ habitat favor the evolution of new species, changes in tissue environments favor the growth of cancerous cells. DeGregoriÕs perspective goes far in explaining who gets cancer, when it appears, and why. While we cannot avoid mutations, it may be possible to sustain our tissuesÕ natural and effective system of defense, even in the face of aging or harmful exposures. For those interested in learning how cancers arise within the human body, the insights in Adaptive Oncogenesis offer a compelling perspective.