Principles of Immunotherapy in Breast and Gastrointestinal Cancers: Activity, Mechanisms of Resistance and New Sensitization Strategies presents updated research findings on immunotherapy, with special focus on the mechanisms of resistance of those cancer types and how to overcome them. The book discusses topics such as tumor cell-intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of cancer resistance to immunotherapy; the role of currently available biomarkers; strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance; sensitizing agents for cancer resistance to cell mediated immunotherapy; and Immunotherapeutic approaches, mechanisms of resistance and sensitizing strategies in gastroesophageal and biliopancreatic tumors and colorectal cancer. It is a valuable resource for researchers, students and members of the biomedical and medical fields who want to learn more about resistance to immunotherapy and how to overcome it. - Presents relevant findings on immunotherapy for breast and GI cancer types in a synthetic and didactic way for easy consult - Describes resistance mechanisms of those cancer types and how to overcome them to improve immunotherapy outcomes - Encompasses several diagrams and figures to help readers get a clearer picture of the research findings and how they can be applied to the clinical setting

Part 1: Intratumoral Signatures Associated With Immune Responsiveness

A "mini-textbook" that delivers practical, need-to-know information in surgical oncology in an economical and user-friendly format. Coverage progresses from key basic science knowledge, principles of oncology care and research, to general diagnostic and operative procedures for a variety of cancers. Each chapter begins with key poings, presents crucial facts in boxes, and offers abundant illustrations, photographs, and tables to clarify complex concepts.

The interplay between tumors and their immunologic microenvironment is complex, difficult to decipher, but its understanding is of seminal importance for the development of novel prognostic markers and therapeutic strategies. The present review discusses tumor-immune interactions in several human cancers that illustrate various aspects of this complexity and proposes an integrated scheme of the impact of local immune reactions on clinical outcome. Current active immunotherapy trials have shown durable tumor regressions in a fraction of patients. However, clinical efficacy of current vaccines is limited, possibly because tumors skew the immune system by means of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, inflammatory type 2 T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), all of which prevent the generation of effector cells. To improve the clinical efficacy of cancer vaccines in patients with metastatic disease, we need to design novel and improved strategies that can boost adaptive immunity to cancer, help overcome Tregs and allow the breakdown of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Rectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers world-wide. It is also a paradigm for multimodal management, as the combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy is often necessary to achieve the optimal outcome. Recently, international experts met in Heidelberg, Germany to discuss the latest developments in the management of rectal cancer, including the anatomic and pathologic basis, staging tools, surgical concepts including fast-track surgery and laparoscopic resection, functional outcome after surgery and the role of radio- and chemotherapy. This monograph summarizes this meeting and gives an extensive overview of the current concepts in management of rectal cancer.

The book covers the basic concept of surgical and oncosurgical disciplines as a whole, as well as the management of surgical patients from pre-op preparation to discharge, i.e., all the basics needed for a successful outcome for oncosurgical patients. It covers surgical safety, the consumer protection act, medico-legal aspects, the importance of documentation, research and publications, and managing complications. The respective chapters cover pre-operative, intra-operative, and ICU management of cancer patients, based on a multi-disciplinary approach. Additionally, they highlight recent advances in surgical oncology and so-called incurable cancers. Edited and written by an interdisciplinary team of experts in oncology and palliative care, the book is intended as a clinically useful guide to the overlapping topics of pain management in cancer patients and the treatment of cancer in patients with multiple co-morbidities like cardiovascular, respiratory disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Given its scope, it will benefit multi-disciplinary oncologists, pain, palliative and intensive care experts, as well as students of surgical disciplines, from MBBS, MS and DNB, to MRCS, MCh and FRCS.