The processes of tumor metastasis, apoptosis and anti-tumor immune response are among the most complex yet rapidly advancing fields in the area of cancer research. This monograph, with its leading authorship, presents a comprehensive coverage of the recent advances in the various key concepts in these fundamental aspects of human cancer. It contains state-of-the-science reviews on invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, apoptosis and immunologic aspects related to cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Metastatic lung cancer is responsible for more than ninety percent of lung cancer related deaths. However, relatively little progress has been made in understanding the process of lung cancer metastasis. The two main aims of this book are a) to introduce clinical aspects to basic scientists and basic molecular and cellular concepts to clinical investigators, in order to promote collaboration and foster much needed translational research; and b) to introduce new and emerging concepts and approaches in metastasis research to lung cancer research community at large. In this attempt, the book will cover a broad spectrum of subjects ranging from the current trends in the clinical management of the metastatic disease, to the systems biology approach for gaining insights into the mechanisms of metastasis. Some of the subjects covered will include: defining basic hallmarks of a metastatic cell, the concept of tumor stem cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, evasion of immune-surveillance, tumor-stromal interactions, angiogenesis, molecular imaging and biomarker discovery.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and in many parts of the western world, it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This book covers colon cancer metastasis from the most fundamental aspects to clinical practice. Major topics include physiopathology, genetic and epigenetic controls, cancer initiating cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, growth factors and signalling, cell adhesion, natures of liver metastasis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, inflammatory response, prognostic markers, sentinel node and staging, and finally diagnosis and treatment. Each chapter has been contributed by leaders in the field. A key feature is that it connects with a large readership including students, fundamentalists and clinicians. Another specific feature of the book is that the chapters are written in a didactic and illustrative fashion. These characteristics coupled with the choice of the topics and authors, makes this book a reference in the field. It represents an essential acquisition for medical libraries, clinicians as well as medical and graduate students.

Individual neoplastic diseases often show discrete growth direct effect of tumor metastases or to adverse consequences patterns subject to many modifications according to the associated with these therapeutic modes (e.g., complications stage of the disease, the species involved and the tumor type of immunosuppression which can lead to mortality arising concerned. Primary neoplasms are less difficult to treat in from infectious disease). contrast to secondary neoplasms. The chief type of secon It is therefore quite clear that there is a crucial need for dary neoplastic growth, metastasis, is also comparatively new methods for the detection of micrometastases and the development of new modalities for the treatment of estab less well understood. Phylogenetically, metastasis attains its highest level of development in the mammal and is best lished metastases. It is likely that such modalities must known in man, but is still far from being understood. overcome tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance to yield new therapeutic modalities with improved margin of safety The process of cancer growth and progression, from the initiation of neoplastic transformation of normal cells to the and efficacy over currently available anti-neoplastic drugs.

Metastatic dissemination of cancer is a main cause of cancer related deaths, therefore biological mechanisms implicated in metastatic process presents an essential object of cancer research. This research requires creation and utilization of adequate laboratory models. The book describes main approaches to model processes of metastatic cancer dissemination and metastases development. The book is structured in according with various metastatic pathways reflecting molecular specificity of metastatic process as well as anatomical specificity of aria of dissemination. Each chapter is introduced by short discussion of clinical aspects of certain metastatic pathway. Especial attention is paid for methods of visualization, quantification and analysis of the modeled metastases. Additional chapter is devoted to methods of mathematic modeling of tumor spread. The data presented in the book may be helpful for cancer researchers and oncologists.