Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer with invasive growth patterns. Recent advances in melanoma management have focused on cell growth, proliferation, migration, and survival biomarkers. Numerous FDA-approved molecular-targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), have been developed targeting genetic biomarkers that play a critical role in tumorigenesis when overexpressed. The use of targeted therapies as an alternative or adjuvant to immunotherapy has revolutionized the management of metastatic melanoma. Although this treatment strategy is more efficacious and less toxic than traditional therapies, targeted therapies are less effective after prolonged treatment due to acquired resistance given the mutations and activation of resistant mechanisms in melanoma tumors. In this sense, identifying novel target therapies and repositioned drugs that could modulate the disease progression, the potential molecular and pharmacological mechanisms of therapies are of utmost interest.

The past few years have witnessed an astonishing international effort that established the role of some 20 new molecules in apoptosis and added activation or suppression of apoptosis to the accepted biological functions of a great many others already familiar in cancer biology. Some of these molecules are receptors, transducing cytokine-mediated signals; others appear to intensify or diminish the risk that a compro mised cell will fire its apoptosis effector mechanism. All are of interest as potential targets for tumor therapy, and some may prove to be control points influenced in the pathogenesis of cancer and other diseases as diverse as viral infection, neurodegenerative disorders, and stroke. Sometimes, in the midst of these developments, a kind of euphoria ap pears to have gripped the research community, with the expectation that apoptosis will afford explanations to many unsolved questions in cellu lar regulation. This book, in a series of thoughtful and provocative ar ticles--some from established leaders in the field, and others from younger scientists--seeks to redress the balance.

Written by the leading melanoma experts from the United States, Australia, and Europe, this new edition incorporates the clinical outcomes of more than 70,000 patients treated at major melanoma centers throughout the world and is the definitive and most authoritative textbook on melanoma used worldwide. Providing the most up-to-date and comprehensive information needed for the clinical management and scientific study of melanoma, Cutaneous Melanoma, 6th edition covers everything from precursors of melanoma to advanced stages of metastatic disease.

From its introduction, oncological chemotherapy has been encumbered by poor selectivity because antiproliferative drugs are often toxic not only to tumor cells but also to important populations of the body’s non-neoplastic cells. Modern targeted therapies interact with defined molecules present on cancer cells, adding increased selectivity to their toxic effects. This book presents an integrated critical view on the theories, mechanisms, problems and pitfalls of the targeted therapy approach.

Advances in cancer research have led to an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the development of cancer and how the immune system responds to cancer. This influx of research has led to an increasing number and variety of therapies in the drug development pipeline, including targeted therapies and associated biomarker tests that can select which patients are most likely to respond, and immunotherapies that harness the body's immune system to destroy cancer cells. Compared with standard chemotherapies, these new cancer therapies may demonstrate evidence of benefit and clearer distinctions between efficacy and toxicity at an earlier stage of development. However, there is a concern that the traditional processes for cancer drug development, evaluation, and regulatory approval could impede or delay the use of these promising cancer treatments in clinical practice. This has led to a number of effortsâ€"by patient advocates, the pharmaceutical industry, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)â€"to accelerate the review of promising new cancer therapies, especially for cancers that currently lack effective treatments. However, generating the necessary data to confirm safety and efficacy during expedited drug development programs can present a unique set of challenges and opportunities. To explore this new landscape in cancer drug development, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine developed a workshop held in December 2016. This workshop convened cancer researchers, patient advocates, and representatives from industry, academia, and government to discuss challenges with traditional approaches to drug development, opportunities to improve the efficiency of drug development, and strategies to enhance the information available about a cancer therapy throughout its life cycle in order to improve its use in clinical practice. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

Animal Models in Cancer Drug Discovery brings forward the most cutting-edge developments in tumor model systems for translational cancer research. The reader can find under this one volume virtually all types of existing and emerging tumor models in use by the research community. This book provides a deeper insight on how these newer models could de-risk modern drug discovery. Areas covered include up to date information on latest organoid derived models and newer genetic models. Additionally, the book discusses humanized animal tumor models for cancer immunotherapy and how they leverage personalized therapies. The chapter on larger animal, canine models and their use in and their use in pre-investigational new drug (pre-IND) development makes the volume unique. Unlike before, the incorporation of several simplified protocols, breeding methodologies, handling and assessment procedures to study drug intervention makes this book a must read. Animal Models in Cancer Drug Discovery is a valuable resource for basic and translational cancer researchers, drug discovery researchers, contract research organizations, and knowledge seekers at all levels in the biomedical field.