الصفحة 1
الصفحة 1
Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a medical enigma. As a childhood neoplasm arising from neural crest cells, it is characterized by diverse clinical behaviors ranging from spontaneous remission to rapid tumor progression and death. Although clinical outcome can be predicted to a large extent by the stage of disease and the age at diagnosis, an in-depth understanding of its clinico-pathological behavior, now greatly aided by sophisticated molecular genetic profiling, will improve diagnostic precision and refine risk-based therapies. Comprehensive international efforts have advanced our understanding of tumor biology and improved the clinical management of children with neuroblastoma. This book reviews our current understanding of the genes and biological pathways that contribute to neuroblastoma pathogenesis, modern risk-based treatment approaches for these patients, and recent advances in biologically based therapy. It provides a concise up-to-date reference for practitioners, students, and researchers.
Mechanisms of Angiogenesis
Is it advisable to go back from bedside to the bench? During the last decade, few topics encountered such a broad interest in bio- gy and medicine as angiogenesis. The amazing ability of the body to restore blood flow by induction of blood vessel growth as part of an adaptive process has alarmed physicians dealing with diseases in which angiogenesis is either exaggerated (as in tumors) or too slow (as in ischemic diseases of heart and brain). Not surprisingly, pro- and antiangiogenic strategies have found their way into clinical trials. For instance, for the USA, the NIH website in early 2004 displayed 38 clinical studies involving either pro- or antiangiogenic th- apies. Given the expected overwhelming wealth of clinical data, the question may be asked whether further exploration of biological mechanisms is required or whether results from the bedside are instructive enough to proceed. This question depends also on the progress of pro- and antiangiogenic clinical trials. In the following, I give a short overview about some of the progress that has been made in this field. Since Judah Folkman proposed antiangiogenic tumor therapy thirty years ago, it has become increasingly evident that agents which interfere with blood vessel formation also block tumor progression. Accordingly, antiangiogenic therapy has gained much attention as a potential adjunct to conventional c- cer therapy.
From Melanocytes to Malignant Melanoma: The Progression to Malignancy
Melanoma offers an excellent model for cancer biology and an opportunity to understand the progression of a normal skin cell-the melanocyte-to malignancy. In From Melanocytes to Melanoma: The Progression to Malignancy, leading researchers and clinicians join forces to explain how skin cancer develops from its benign precursor cell type.
Cytokines in the Genesis and Treatment of Cancer
Cytokines in the Genesis and Treatment of Cancer provides a comprehensive picture of the dual role of host responses in promoting and inhibiting tumor progression. This volume represents an important investigation into the emerging intersection of cancer biology and cancer immunology. Divided into four sections, the volume’s first three parts focus on cytokines in the genesis of cancer. The final section describes the notable progress — both in animal models and humans — in demonstrating the use of cytokine or anticytokine therapies for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Cytokines in the Genesis and Treatment of Cancer brings together an impressive array of internationally distinguished investigators who are devoted to the study of cytokines and cancer. Together, they produce an insightful, comprehensive discussion of cytokines and cancer that will serve as the perfect reference for all those working in the field.
Cell Adhesion and Cytoskeletal Molecules in Metastasis
In this volume, the expression of specific adhesion molecules within human cancer tissues are highlighted. The expression signatures from published DNA microarray and immunohistochemistry studies are detailed. The concept that the alteration of specific adhesion molecules influence the cancer migration ability and cancer damage responses is detailed in this volume; both features are essential for the survival of an invading tumor cell. Defining the minimal adhesion receptors preserved on cancer cells during tumor progression will define the metastatic adhesion signature. Understanding the metastatic adhesion signature will reveal vulnerabilities that could be exploited for the prevention and/or eradication of the invading cancer cell.
