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.

Cancer continues to be one of the major causes of death throughout the developed world, which has led to increased research on effective treatments. Because of this, in the past decade, rapid progress in the field of cancer treatment has been seen. Recent Advances in Cancer Research and Therapy reviews in specific details some of the most effective and promising treatments developed in research centers worldwide. While referencing advances in traditional therapies and treatments such as chemotherapy, this book also highlights advances in biotherapy including research using Interferon and Super Interferon, HecI based and liposome based therapy, gene therapy, and p53 based cancer therapy. There is also a discussion of current cancer research in China including traditional Chinese medicine. Written by leading scientists in the field, this book provides an essential insight into the current state of cancer therapy and treatment. Includes a wide range of research areas including a focus on biotherapy and the development of novel cancer therapeutic strategies. Formatted for a broad audience including all working in researching cancer treatments and therapies. Discusses special traits and results of Chinese cancer research.

Experimental chemotherapy continues to be at the forefront of cancer thera peutics. Topics covered in the preceding volume on cancer chemotherapy in this series such as study of drugs by alkaline elution, the development of the antimetabolite tiazofurin, and the treatment of germ cell tumors have become informative references to current experimentalists and practitioners. In even earlier volumes, reviews of the platinum compounds, anthracyclines, and osteosarcoma represent topics associated with such rapid progress requiring a look back to provide the appropriate perspective. Similarly, we venture to predict that the topics in this volume will become useful landmarks for future drug development and disease strategies. In the area of drug development, what is being learned about old, estab lished antineoplastics is raising renewed expectations that it will be translated into improved applications and patient benefit. For example, we now have the ability to modulate the action of alkylating agents and fluorinated pyri midines to achieve greater sensitivity. A new compound for an old target, trimetrexate, an antifolate that does not polyglutaminate, will have a role not only in treatment of neoplastic diseases, but also protozoal infection.

Where do you begin to look for a recent, authoritative article on the diagnosis or management of a particular malignancy? The few general oncology textbooks are generally out of date. Single papers in specialized journals are informative but seldom comprehensive; these are more often preliminary reports on a very limited number of patients. Certain general journals frequently publish good indepth reviews of cancer topics, and published symposium lectures are often the best overviews available. Unfor tunately, these reviews and supplements appear sporadically, and the reader can never be sure when a topic of special interest will be covered. Cancer Treatment and Research is a series of authoritative volumes which aim to meet this need. It is an attempt to establish a critical mass of oncology literature covering virtually all oncology topics, revised frequently to keep the coverage up to date, easily available on a single library shelf or by a single personal subscription. We have approached the problem in the following fashion. First, by dividing the oncology literature into specific subdivisions such as lung can cer, genitourinary cancer, pediatric oncology, etc. Second, by asking emi nent authorities in each of these areas to edit a volume on the specific topic on an annual or biannual basis. Each topic and tumor type is covered in a volume appearing frequently and predictably, discussing current diagnosis, staging, markers, all forms of treatment modalities, basic biology, and more.

There have been tremendous advances in our understanding of molecular and tumor biology during the past few years. In the field of cancer therapeutics, it is expected that cytotoxic drug approaches will be gradually replaced with treatments based on biological targeted approaches. Hopefully these new targeted therapies will significantly increase efficacy and lack the devastating and troublesome side effects elicited by cytotoxic chemotherapy. This volume is the first book to cover the general topic of targeted cancer therapy. It presents a range of targets such as tumor angiogenesis, cell cycle control and cell signalling, COX-2, apoptosis/cell survival, invasion and metastasis and approaches like kinase inhibitors, antisense, and antibody-based therapeutics. The emphasis is on preclinical development, including target validation, development of biomarkers, strategies for combination approaches, and development of resistance. The particular challenges involved in translating these data to clinical application are discussed. This volume should be of broad general interest to researchers and clinicians involved in cancer therapy as well as other scientists interested in current strategies for cancer treatment.

Americans praise medical technology for saving lives and improving health. Yet, new technology is often cited as a key factor in skyrocketing medical costs. This volume, second in the Medical Innovation at the Crossroads series, examines how economic incentives for innovation are changing and what that means for the future of health care. Up-to-date with a wide variety of examples and case studies, this book explores how payment, patent, and regulatory policiesâ€"as well as the involvement of numerous government agenciesâ€"affect the introduction and use of new pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and surgical procedures. The volume also includes detailed comparisons of policies and patterns of technological innovation in Western Europe and Japan. This fact-filled and practical book will be of interest to economists, policymakers, health administrators, health care practitioners, and the concerned public.