Selected Aspects Of Cancer Progression Metastasis Apoptosis And Immune Response

The processes of tumor metastasis, apoptosis and anti-tumor immune response are among the most complex yet rapidly advancing fields in the area of cancer research. This monograph, with its leading authorship, presents a comprehensive coverage of the recent advances in the various key concepts in these fundamental aspects of human cancer. It contains state-of-the-science reviews on invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, apoptosis and immunologic aspects related to cancer.

This volume examines in detail the role of chronic inflammatory processes in the development of several types of cancer. Leading experts describe the latest results of molecular and cellular research on infection, cancer-related inflammation and tumorigenesis. Further, the clinical significance of these findings in preventing cancer progression and approaches to treating the diseases are discussed. Individual chapters cover cancer of the lung, colon, breast, brain, head and neck, pancreas, prostate, bladder, kidney, liver, cervix and skin as well as gastric cancer, sarcoma, lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma.

The past five years have witnessed an explosion of research efforts in the study of how cells die. This book provides an up-to-date overview of our current knowledge of apoptosis and how discoveries in this area impact on our understanding of cancer. By synthesizing many of the recent developments in this area and placing them in perspective, it fulfills an important need. All the contributions are written by experts in their respective fields. The first two chapters give a basic introduction to the cell death machinery and its role in tumor development and progression; subsequent chapters cover current aspects of apoptosis research, including the involvement of cell cycle-related proteins (e.g. cyclin-dependent kinases) in apoptosis, the role of Bcl-2, Bcr-Abl, Rb, p53 and myc in the regulation of cell death, and apoptosis in the context of specific neoplasms such as cancer of the prostate, kidney, leukemia and neuroblastoma. It is also discussed how insights into the regulation of apoptosis may be exploited for designing new drugs aimed at eliminating malignant cells. Compiling the most recent research results on the relationship between apoptosis and cancer in one handy volume, this book will provide a valuable reference for scientists working in cancer research as well as newcomers to the field.

The acknowledgment that viruses are potent biological factors in driving many cancers have seen a dramatic upsurge in recent years in large part to the success of the human papilloma virus vaccine against invasive cervical carcinomas and followed by the awarding of the noble prize in medicine in 2008 to Dr. Harald zurHausen who identified the link between papilloma virus and cervical cancers. Over the last few years there have been some volumes addressing different aspects of viruses and cancers and to some extent focusing on the DNA viruses, more specifically the human DNA viruses. This proposed volume will attempt to review and address the major gaps in current knowledge in DNA viruses as well as RNA viruses bringing a historical perspective of where studies began to a more recent molecular approach and vaccine successes in tumor viruses. We will also cover other known oncogenic viruses associated cancers in other mammals in addition to humans.

Named after Selene, Greek goddess of the moon, selenium (Se) has moved has moved from being thought of as a toxicant to being considered an essential nutrient with the potential to reduce cancer risk in the span of seven decades. Diversity of Selenium Functions in Health and Disease focuses on current knowledge of aspects of Se research relevant to its medical use, and particularly to chemoprevention of cancer. It covers how Se is integrated into selenoproteins, selenium compounds with individual functions and dual functions, and unexpected links to Se such as with diabetes. The text ends with a discussion of polymorphisms and mutations in genes of selenoproteins. The chapters elucidate why studies undertaken to prevent diseases with selenium ended with disappointing outcomes and often with the opposite result, i.e. disease promotion. They show that benefit, failure, or side effects depend on: The chemical form and dose of selenium The selenium status of the individual ingesting selenium The capacity of selenium form to serve as a source for selenoprotein biosynthesis The function of selenoproteins reacting to a change in the selenium status The stage of the disease (mainly cancer) at the time point of intervention The genetic background of individuals to be treated Bringing together the accumulated evidence regarding selenium biochemistry, the book covers aspects not found in available general monographs. The narrow focus on medical uses of Se helps resolve the present confusion about potential benefits and hazards of selenium in human health. The book gives you a solid scientific basis for optimum use of selenium in preventing or treating human diseases and answering the questions: Why is selenium essential? How much is required? What are the health consequences of low selenium and can selenium reduce cancer risk?

Improved understanding of the cellular and molecular makeup of tumors in the last 30 years has unraveled a previously unexpected level of heterogeneity among tumor cells as well as within the tumor microenvironment. The concept of tumor heterogeneity underlines the realization that different tumors can display significant differences in their genomic content as well as in their overall behavior. Our capacity to better understand the heterogeneous make up of tumors has very important consequences on our ability to design efficient therapeutic strategies to improve patient survival. This book highlights several aspects of tumor heterogeneity in the context of metastatic development and summarize some of the challenges posed by heterogeneity for tumor diagnostics and therapeutic management of tumors.

Immunotherapy in Resistant Cancer: From the Lab Bench Work to Its Clinical Perspectives provides high level knowledge on detailed mechanisms of actions and biological interactions of different immune drugs, with an aim of offering researchers and clinicians cutting-edge therapies to overcome drug resistance. The book explains the latest immunotherapies for different types of cancer, helping users carry out research projects or create alternatives for drug development in the pharmaceutical industry. Topics discussed include the relationship between immunotherapy and macrophages, immune checkpoints in different types of cancer, immune cocktails in solid tumors, and immune-phenotyping. Additionally, the book presents basic and clinical data on immunoresistance and glycosylation. This book is a valuable source for cancer researchers, medical doctors, clinicians and members of the biomedical field who must understand certain mechanisms to fight cancer that is resistant to immunotherapy. Provides basic and clinical evidence based on molecular interactions and clinical studies to address the risks and benefits of cancer immunotherapy Presents the results of new immunotherapy trials, discussing the state-of-the-art in different types of cancer Discusses targeted therapies approved by the FDA, along with therapies with clinical potential used in basic studies