Successes And Limitations Of Targeted Cancer Therapy

The treatment of patients with advanced malignancies has undergone remarkable change in the last few years. While in the past decisions about systemic therapy were largely based on the performance status of a patient, oncologists today also take into account the pathological and molecular characteristics of the patient’s tumor. Targeting specific molecular pathways important for tumorigenesis has become the preferred way of treatment for many types of malignancies. With these advances come new challenges including the optimization of therapy, recognizing and dealing with side effects and, importantly, the development of resistance. This book provides an up-to-date overview of the advances and limitations of targeted therapy for several tumor entities including breast cancer, colon cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, lung cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer and renal cell carcinoma. Written by over a dozen internationally renowned scientists, the book is suitable for advanced students, postdoctoral researchers, scientists and clinicians who wish to update their knowledge of the latest approaches to targeted cancer therapies.

The three sections of this volume present currently available cancer gene therapy techniques. Part I describes the various aspects of gene delivery. In Part II, the contributors discuss strategies and targets for the treatment of cancer. Finally, in Part III, experts discuss the difficulties inherent in bringing gene therapy treatment for cancer to the clinic. This book will prove valuable as the volume of preclinical and clinical data continues to increase.

Radioimmunotherapy, also known as systemic targeted radiation therapy, uses antibodies, antibody fragments, or compounds as carriers to guide radiation to the targets. It is a topic rapidly increasing in importance and success in treatment of cancer patients. This book represents a comprehensive amalgamation of the radiation physics, chemistry, radiobiology, tumor models, and clinical data for targeted radionuclide therapy. It outlines the current challenges and provides a glimpse at future directions. With significant advances in cell biology and molecular engineering, many targeting constructs are now available that will safely deliver these highly cytotoxic radionuclides in a targeted fashion. A companion website includes the full text and an image bank.

This new volume updates the reader on selected areas of targeted therapy in breast cancer, with special emphasis on chemoprevention strategies, drug resistance, biomarkers, combination chemotherapy, angiogenesis inhibition and pharmacogenomics in the context of clinical efficacy. This selected review of targeted therapies will guide the reader on effective treatment as part of an integrated programme of patient management.

Advanced Drug Delivery Systems in the Management of Cancer discusses recent developments in nanomedicine and nano-based drug delivery systems used in the treatment of cancers affecting the blood, lungs, brain, and kidneys. The research presented in this book includes international collaborations in the area of novel drug delivery for the treatment of cancer. Cancer therapy remains one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine, as successful treatment requires the elimination of malignant cells that are closely related to normal cells within the body. Advanced drug delivery systems are carriers for a wide range of pharmacotherapies used in many applications, including cancer treatment. The use of such carrier systems in cancer treatment is growing rapidly as they help overcome the limitations associated with conventional drug delivery systems. Some of the conventional limitations that these advanced drug delivery systems help overcome include nonspecific targeting, systemic toxicity, poor oral bioavailability, reduced efficacy, and low therapeutic index. This book begins with a brief introduction to cancer biology. This is followed by an overview of the current landscape in pharmacotherapy for the cancer management. The need for advanced drug delivery systems in oncology and cancer treatment is established, and the systems that can be used for several specific cancers are discussed. Several chapters of the book are devoted to discussing the latest technologies and advances in nanotechnology. These include practical solutions on how to design a more effective nanocarrier for the drugs used in cancer therapeutics. Each chapter is written with the goal of informing readers about the latest advancements in drug delivery system technologies while reinforcing understanding through various detailed tables, figures, and illustrations. Advanced Drug Delivery Systems in the Management of Cancer is a valuable resource for anyone working in the fields of cancer biology and drug delivery, whether in academia, research, or industry. The book will be especially useful for researchers in drug formulation and drug delivery as well as for biological and translational researchers working in the field of cancer. Presents an overview of the recent perspectives and challenges within the management and diagnosis of cancer Provides insights into how advanced drug delivery systems can effectively be used in the management of a wide range of cancers Includes up-to-date information on diagnostic methods and treatment strategies using controlled drug delivery systems

A complete introduction and guide to the latest developments in cancer gene therapy-from bench to bedside. The authors comprehensively review the anticancer genes and gene delivery methods currently available for cancer gene therapy, including the transfer of genetic material into the cancer cells, stimulation of the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells, and the targeting of the nonmalignant stromal cells that support their growth. They also thoroughly examine the advantages and limitations of the different therapies and detail strategies to overcome obstacles to their clinical implementation. Topics of special interest include vector-targeting techniques, the lessons learned to date from clinical trials of cancer gene therapy, and the regulatory guidelines for future trials. Noninvasive techniques to monitor the extent of gene transfer and disease regression during the course of treatment are also discussed.

This work covers the pathophysiology of cancer, exploring the difficulty of optimal treatment due to the complexity and diversity of cancer types. The search for distinctive molecular biology characteristics of tumor cells is especially relevant in the identification of overexpressed receptors and proteins that can be used as a target for cancer treatment. We highlight the main therapeutic modalities, particularly conventional systemic chemotherapy, addressing its mechanisms of action, therapeutic classes and even the toxic effects. We also describe the main tumor markers, their importance in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and the specificity of tumor cells. The first chapters serve as an introduction to the central topic of this book, targeted therapy. Key aspects of target therapy, such as classes of drugs, immunotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are presented, and, for each one, the benefits, as well as the adverse effects are reported. Chapter 6 compares conventional systemic chemotherapy and targeted therapy, identifies the risks and benefits and also the eligibility criteria for patient care. The possibility of targeted therapy replacing conventional chemotherapy is discussed while reviewing studies that demonstrate the benefits of combining both types of treatment. Finally, the introduction of pharmaceutical nanotechnology to improve antineoplastic agents is addressed in the last chapter and sets the direction for future research in cancer treatment. This is a valuable resource for many health professionals including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, researchers and students interested in the field of oncology.