Dear Readers, Understanding the pathological mechanisms involved in human diseases and their possible treatment has been historically based on comparative analysis of diverse animal species that share a similar genetic, physiological and behavioural composition. The ancient Greeks were the first to use animals as models for anatomy and physiology, and this was consequently adopted by other cultures and led to important discoveries. In recent years, there have been many efforts to understand and fight cancer through new revolutionary personalized treatments and wider screenings that help diagnose and treat cancer. A fundamental part of this effort is to develop suitable cancer animal models that simulate the different disease variants and their progression. Ranging from tumor-derived xenografts to genetically engineered models, a wide variety of systems are applied for this purpose, and many technological breakthroughs are changing the way cancer is studied and analyzed. In this Special Issue, we collected a set of research articles and reviews that focus on the generation of cancer animal models that are used for understanding the disease and contribute to designing and testing new drugs for cancer prevention or treatment. Vladimir Korinek Collection Editor.

Biomaterials for 3D Tumor Modeling reviews the fundamentals and most relevant areas of the latest advances of research of 3D cancer models, focusing on biomaterials science, tissue engineering, drug delivery and screening aspects. The book reviews advanced fundamental topics, including the causes of cancer, existing cancer models, angiogenesis and inflammation during cancer progression, and metastasis in 3D biomaterials. Then, the most relevant biomaterials are reviewed, including methods for engineering and fabrication of biomaterials. 3D models for key biological systems and types of cancer are also discussed, including lung, liver, oral, prostate, pancreatic, ovarian, bone and pediatric cancer. This book is suitable for those working in the disciplines of materials science, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, drug delivery and regenerative medicine. Reviews key biomaterials topics, including synthetic biomaterials, hydrogels, e-spun materials and nanoparticles Provides a comprehensive overview of 3D cancer models for key biological systems and cancer types Includes an overview of advanced fundamental concepts for an interdisciplinary audience in materials science, biochemistry, regenerative medicine and drug delivery

This collection of 25 research papers comprised of 22 original articles and 3 reviews is brought together from international leaders in bioinformatics and biostatistics. The collection highlights recent computational advances that improve the ability to analyze highly complex data sets to identify factors critical to cancer biology. Novel deep learning algorithms represent an emerging and highly valuable approach for collecting, characterizing and predicting clinical outcomes data. The collection highlights several of these approaches that are likely to become the foundation of research and clinical practice in the future. In fact, many of these technologies reveal new insights about basic cancer mechanisms by integrating data sets and structures that were previously immiscible. Accordingly, the series presented here bring forward a wide range of artificial intelligence approaches and statistical methods that can be applied to imaging and genomics data sets to identify previously unrecognized features that are critical for cancer. Our hope is that these articles will serve as a foundation for future research as the field of cancer biology transitions to integrating electronic health record, imaging, genomics and other complex datasets in order to develop new strategies that improve the overall health of individual patients.

Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma represents the first book of its kind to be dedicated solely to UTUC. It's aim is to improve understanding and eventually care of a disease that is greatly understudied and underappreciated, yet commonly dealt with by many medical and urologic oncologists. The volume features new data regarding genetic susceptibility, gene expression studies and causative factors; contemporary concepts and controversies regarding diagnosis and staging of UTUC; prediction tools and their value in treatment decisions within each disease stage and patient selection and treatment options such as endoscopic management, distal ureterectomy, radical nephroureterectomy and chemotherapy. Up-to-date information regarding boundaries of surgical resection, indication and extent of lymphadenectomy is covered as well as the role of perioperative/neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with high-risk UTUC. Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma will be of great value to all Urologists, Medical Oncologists and fellows in Urologic Oncology as well as upper level residents in training in Urology and Medical Oncology.