Targeted Therapies

Since the last edition of this book, major advances have been made in our understanding of key pathways that control tumor progression. This has led to the development of new anticancer agents that have the ability to block the activity of proteins involved in neoplastic cell development and proliferation. Targeted Therapies in Oncology, Second Edition provides a concise timely panorama of existing targeted therapies and progress into future anticancer treatments. These therapies notably include: Targeted agents of immune checkpoints Signal-transduction inhibitors Antiangiogenic agents Vascular-disrupting agents Apoptosis modulators Stem cell inhibitors Tumor profiling for drug development The book emphasizes the biology behind this new class of drugs as well as the clinical achievements obtained. The contributors to this volume stand at the cutting edge of cancer research and treatment around the world.

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.

Multiple Myeloma remains an incurable malignancy. As the disease progresses, it invariably becomes resistant to treatment and almost all patients develop refractory disease. There are multiple different types of targeted therapies and many of them are used in combination at different stages of disease. Targeted therapies that are approved to be used include Proteasome Inhibitors, Immunomodulatory Drugs and Monoclonal Antibodies. Second and third generations of these drugs are developed to overcome resistance and they have unique mechanism of actions. Targeted therapies that are undergoing clinical trials include CAR-T cells, bi-specific antibodies, vaccines, ubiquitin ligase inhibitors and BCL-2 inhibitors. This book will help to develop an understanding of targeted therapies in Multiple Myeloma. Its goal is to provide a unique review of the mechanism of action and resistance of the many targeted therapies in Multiple Myeloma by leaders of the field. The book will be useful for students in medical science, clinicians, health professionals, scientists, pharmaceutical professionals, drug developers, and policy makers. This book will provide an insightful knowledge of the biology of Multiple Myeloma, the mechanism of action and resistance of targeted therapies, application of biomarkers and genomics and possible strategies in overcoming resistance and future development.

The accessible guide to the principles behind new, more targeted drug treatments for cancer Written for anyone who encounters cancer patients, cancer data or cancer terminology, but have no more than a passing knowledge of cell biology. A Beginner's Guide to Targeted Cancer Treatments provides an understanding of how cancer works and the many new treatments available. Using over 100 original illustrations, this accessible handbook covers the biology and mechanisms behind a huge range of targeted drug treatments, including many new immunotherapies. Dr Vickers translates a complex and often overwhelming topic into something digestible and easily understood. She also explains what cancer is, how it behaves and how our understanding of cancer has changed in recent years. Each chapter takes the reader through how new cancer drugs work and their benefits and limitations. With the help of this book, readers will be able to better understand more complex, in-depth articles in journals and books and develop their knowledge. This vital resource: Offers the latest insights into cancer biology Provides a broad understanding of how targeted cancer treatments work Describes many of the new immunotherapy approaches to cancer treatment, such as checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-modified T cells Helps readers feel confident discussing treatment options with colleagues and patients Provides an overview of which treatments are relevant to each of the most common solid tumours and haematological cancers, and the rationale behind them Demystifies the jargon – terms such as the EMT, cancer stem cells, monoclonal antibodies, kinase inhibitors, angiogenesis inhibitors etc. Explains the resistance mechanisms to many new treatments, including issues such as the way cancer cells diversify and evolve and the complex environment in which they live

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.

This book contextualizes translational research and provides an up to date progress report on therapies that are currently being targeted in lung cancer. It is now well established that there is tremendous heterogeneity among cancer cells both at the inter- and intra-tumoral level. Further, a growing body of work highlights the importance of targeted therapies and personalized medicine in treating cancer patients. In contrast to conventional therapies that are typically administered to the average patient regardless of the patient’s genotype, targeted therapies are tailored to patients with specific traits. Nonetheless, such genetic changes can be disease-specific and/or target specific; thus, the book addresses these issues manifested in the somatically acquired genetic changes of the targeted gene. Each chapter is written by a leading medical oncologist who specializes in thoracic oncology and is devoted to a particular target in a specific indication. Contributors provide an in-depth review of the literature covering the mechanisms underlying signaling, potential cross talk between the target and downstream signaling, and potential emergence of drug resistance.

On April 23 and 24, 2019 the Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders convened a workshop titled "Advancing Gene-Targeted Therapies for Central Nervous System Disorders" in Washington, DC. This public workshop brought together experts and key stakeholders from academia, government, industry, philanthropic foundations, and disease/patient-focused nonprofit organizations to explore approaches for advancing the development of gene-targeted therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, and implications of developing these therapies. Participants explored lessons learned from both successful and unsuccessful clinical development programs; new knowledge about the genetic underpinnings of brain disorders; the current status and future potential of gene-targeted therapies for CNS disorders; challenges and potential solutions for translating preclinical findings to approved therapies; and patient and caregiver perspectives. They also discussed what will be needed to develop these therapies for common disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. The workshop included approaches that target both DNA and RNA, as well as gene products using viral vectors, antisense oligonucleotides, and RNA interference. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussion of the workshop.

The first book focusing specifically on frequent and frequently disabling side effects involving the skin, hair and nails in cancer patients According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately thirty million people living with a diagnosis of cancer – the majority of whom will receive surgery, systemic therapy, and/or radiation, and who will suffer from dermatologic adverse events. Dermatologists and oncologists are only beginning to grapple with these events, which pose serious quality-of-life issues with so many patients, and will become more prevalent as survival rates improve, thanks in part to new cancer treatments and drug regimens. Concentrating on a topic that has only been briefly touched upon by other texts, this book offers a focused perspective on the clinical presentation, underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, and management of skin, hair, and nail conditions for oncologists, dermatologists, and allied practitioners. Dermatologic Principles and Practice in Oncology: Conditions of the Skin, Hair, and Nails in Cancer Patients: • Covers in detail the dermatologic adverse events of oncologic therapies, clinical presentations, and treatment recommendations • Enables dermatologists and other practitioners to significantly improve the care of patients with cancer • Addresses the dermatologic adverse events of cancer therapies used globally, of which a large number are found in developing countries • Emphasizes prophylactic measures – based on treatments used and type of cancer – to prevent the appearance of adverse events • Provides built-in discussions on patient education for practical counseling during therapies • Offers rapid-reference sections on topical dermatology drugs The first book to present dermatologic conditions in cancer patients and survivors in a uniform and in-depth manner, Dermatologic Principles and Practice in Oncology is ideal for oncologists, oncology nurses, and dermatologists who wish to take better care of those with adverse skin, hair, and nail conditions.