The Role Of Steroid Hormones And Growth Factors In Cancer

Protooncogenes and Growth Factors in Steroid Hormone Induced Growth and Differentiation reviews current information regarding the complex nature of hormone-induced cell growth and differentiation. The contributors examine the emerging consensus that protooncogenes and growth factors mediate perhaps the most crucial steps leading to cell growth and differentiation. The primary objective of this book is to unite the status of current research related to protooncogenes and growth factors from diverse physiological systems to help readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Leading researchers have contributed outstanding chapters pertaining to steroid hormone-regulated cell growth and differentiation in normal and/or neoplastic tissues. This book will appeal to basic science researchers, clinicians, industrial researchers, and graduate students.

From the tissue culture dish to genetically modified mice, this volume explores the long recognized role of steroid hormones in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. Many striking effects of steroid hormones are apparent during development and neoplasia and these topics are covered extensively. Several chapters address the pharmacological uses of steroid and related hormones, their analogs and antagonists in controlling growth of endocrine cancers. This book also highlights the complex role of cross talk between steroid hormones and signals initiated at the cell surface in the regulation of cell cycle in hormone responsive tissues.

Hormones and Growth Factors in Development and Neoplasia Edited by Robert B. Dickson, Lombardi Cancer Research Center, Georgetown University David S. Salomon, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, National Cancer Institute, NIH The study of hormones is critical to our understanding of developmental aberrations leading to cancer, and the discovery of polypeptide growth factors has led to profound insights into the duality of control of development and cancer by hormones at the tissue and cellular levels. In this book, leading researchers in the field present a cohesive overview of several important growth factor systems and how they interact with endocrine hormones in the context of tissue-tissue interactions; control of cellular growth, differentiation, and death; and reciprocal control of receptors and ligands at the molecular level. In its first two sections, Hormones and Growth Factors in Development and Neoplasia introduces important growth factors and hormonal systems in invertebrate and amphibian model systems, highlights early evolutionary and developmental functions for the classes of molecules later shown to be important in human cancer, establishes the roles of growth factors and hormones in mammalian development, and focuses on early embryonic events and later events leading to sexual dimorphism. The book's third section discusses in detail the control of postnatal developmental processes in male and female reproductive tracts, focusing on the prostate and mammary glands as well as the female reproductive tract, all of which are of special importance in hormonally driven cancers. Finally, the book takes a direct look at cancers and the molecular mechanisms of hormone-growth factor interactions. Among the many topics covered in this timely volume are: * Ecdysone in development of Drosophila * The progesterone receptor in mammalian development * Regulation of cell survival and apoptosis in the reproductive tracts and the breast * Hormones, growth factors, oncogenes, and prostate cancer With its novel approach, authoritative coverage, and broad scope, Hormones and Growth Factors in Development and Neoplasia is informative and relevant for researchers across a spectrum of disciplines, including cancer research, endocrinology, developmental biology, and cell biology.

Hormonal carcinogenesis is an important and controversial area of current research. In addition to accelerating existing cancers, can hormones play the role of primary carcinogens? How do genetic factors influence hormone-related cancer risk? Hormones, Genes, and Cancer addresses these questions. Over the past few decades, cancer research has focused on external environmental causes(e.g., tobacco smoke, viruses, asbestos). With the advent of new genetic sequencing techniques, we are just now beginning to understand how the body's internal environment(i.e., the hormones and growth factors that determine normal development) influences cancer etiology and prevention. From molecular insights to clinical analyses, this volume provides state-of-the-art information on the complex interactions between hormones and genes and cancer. The epidemiology and molecular endocrinology of prostate, breast, uterine, ovarian and testicular cancer are detailed in this timely treatise.

Breast and prostate cancers are both hormone-dependent, at least in some stages of their progression. Hormonal manipulation represents an important therapeutic approach. Although most of breast and prostate cancers initially respond to hormone therapy, most tumors reinitiate to growth. Finally, hormone-resistant and metastatic breast and prostate cancers may develop. Thus, the challenge is the dissection of mechanisms by which steroid receptor signaling pathways continue to influence cell growth and invasiveness. Compelling evidence indicates that steroid hormones elicit non-genomic responses in extra-nuclear compartment of target cells. In this cellular location, steroid-coupled receptors rapidly recruit signaling effectors or scaffold proteins and activate multiple pathways leading to proliferation, survival, migration and invasiveness. The immediate challenge is the dissection of key events regulating the steroid response of target tissues to prevent progression and improve treatment of breast and prostate cancers.

During the last two decades, progress in steroid hormone research has resulted in the development of new approaches to contraception as well as diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders and cancers. Although significant advances have been made in the purification, characterization, immunochemistry and molecular biology of steroid receptors, the precise molecular mechanism of steroid hormone action has remained obscure. This book captures the detailed presentations made at the first conference on Steroid Receptors in Health and Disease held at Meadow Brook Hall, Oakland University in the fall of 1987. The purpose of this international con ference was to facilitate scientific exchange toward a better understand ing of the mode of action of steroid hormones. The scientific sessions consisted of poster presentations and state-of-the-art lectures, the latter of which make up this volume. The first chapter is meant to provide the reader with a more general background of the topics covered in the book, as well as to discuss certain theme-related issues that are either not yet well-established or accepted or are in the stage of infancy. It is hoped that this volume will serve as a useful treatise for students and investigators interested in basic and clinical aspects of biological regulation by steroid hormones. A task of this magnitude could not have been undertaken without the encouragement, advice and continued generous assistance of the members of the scientific committee. I am gratefully indebted to Drs.