This volume examines in detail the role of chronic inflammatory processes in the development of several types of cancer. Leading experts describe the latest results of molecular and cellular research on infection, cancer-related inflammation and tumorigenesis. Further, the clinical significance of these findings in preventing cancer progression and approaches to treating the diseases are discussed. Individual chapters cover cancer of the lung, colon, breast, brain, head and neck, pancreas, prostate, bladder, kidney, liver, cervix and skin as well as gastric cancer, sarcoma, lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma.

The microcirculation is highly responsive to, and a vital participant in, the inflammatory response. All segments of the microvasculature (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) exhibit characteristic phenotypic changes during inflammation that appear to be directed toward enhancing the delivery of inflammatory cells to the injured/infected tissue, isolating the region from healthy tissue and the systemic circulation, and setting the stage for tissue repair and regeneration. The best characterized responses of the microcirculation to inflammation include impaired vasomotor function, reduced capillary perfusion, adhesion of leukocytes and platelets, activation of the coagulation cascade, and enhanced thrombosis, increased vascular permeability, and an increase in the rate of proliferation of blood and lymphatic vessels. A variety of cells that normally circulate in blood (leukocytes, platelets) or reside within the vessel wall (endothelial cells, pericytes) or in the perivascular space (mast cells, macrophages) are activated in response to inflammation. The activation products and chemical mediators released from these cells act through different well-characterized signaling pathways to induce the phenotypic changes in microvessel function that accompany inflammation. Drugs that target a specific microvascular response to inflammation, such as leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion or angiogenesis, have shown promise in both the preclinical and clinical studies of inflammatory disease. Future research efforts in this area will likely identify new avenues for therapeutic intervention in inflammation. Table of Contents: Introduction / Historical Perspectives / Anatomical Considerations / Impaired Vasomotor Responses / Capillary Perfusion / Angiogenesis / Leukocyte-Endothelial Cell Adhesion / Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions / Coagulation and Thrombosis / Endothelial Barrier Dysfunction / Epilogue / References

An overview of the current systems biology-based knowledge and the experimental approaches for deciphering the biological basis of cancer.

Begins a series for clinicians, graduate students, and researchers in academia, regulatory agencies, or industry, offering monographs both on classes of adhesion molecules and on the function of such molecules in particular systems. Here the emphasis is on the clinical evaluation of these molecules, particularly as novel biochemical and genetic markers to define tumor differentiation based on functional and morphological assessment, and also their potential use as targets for biological therapy. Includes ten pages of color plates. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This comprehensive encyclopedic reference provides rapid access to focused information on topics of cancer research for clinicians, research scientists and advanced students. Given the overwhelming success of the first edition, which appeared in 2001, and fast development in the different fields of cancer research, it has been decided to publish a second fully revised and expanded edition. With an A-Z format of over 7,000 entries, more than 1,000 contributing authors provide a complete reference to cancer. The merging of different basic and clinical scientific disciplines towards the common goal of fighting cancer makes such a comprehensive reference source all the more timely.

A comprehensive resource on the recent developments of stem cell use in wound healing With contributions from experts in the field, Wound Healing offers a thorough review of the most recent findings on the use of stem cells to heal wounds. This important resource covers both the basic and translational aspects of the field. The contributors reveal the great progress that has been made in recent years and explore a wide range of topics from an overview of the stem cell process in wound repair to inflammation and cancer. They offer a better understanding of the identities of skin stem cells as well as the signals that govern their behavior that contributes to the development of improved therapies for scarring and poorly healing wounds. Comprehensive in scope, this authoritative resource covers a wealth of topics such as: an overview of stem cell regeneration and repair, wound healing and cutaneous wound healing, the role of bone marrow derived stems cells, inflammation in wound repair, role and function of inflammation in wound repair, and much more. This vital resource: Provides a comprehensive overview of stem cell use in wound healing, including both the basic and translational aspects of the field Covers recent developments and emerging subtopics within the field Offers an invaluable resource to clinical and basic researchers who are interested in wound healing, stem cells, and regenerative medicine Contains contributions from leading experts in the field of wound healing and care Wound Healing offers clinical researchers and academics a much-needed resource written by noted experts in the field that explores the role of stem cells in the repair and restoration of healing wounds.

Eosinophils in Health and Disease provides immunology researchers and students with a comprehensive overview of current thought and cutting-edge eosinophil research, providing chapters on basic science, disease-specific issues, therapeutics, models for study and areas of emerging importance.