Expert laboratory and clinical researchers from around the world review how to design and evaluate studies of tumor markers and examine their use in breast cancer patients. The authors cover both the major advances in sophisticated molecular methods and the state-of-the-art in conventional prognostic and predictive indicators. Among the topics discussed are the relevance of rigorous study design and guidelines for the validation studies of new biomarkers, gene expression profiling by tissue microarrays, adjuvant systemic therapy, and the use of estrogen, progesterone, and epidermal growth factor receptors as both prognostic and predictive indicators. Highlights include the evaluation of HER2 and EGFR family members, of p53, and of UPA/PAI-1; the detection of rare cells in blood and marrow; and the detection and analysis of soluble, circulating markers.

This volume explores experimental strategies to study progranulin as a regulatory protein in biological and disease processes. The chapters in this book are divided into four parts: Part One is an introduction to the topic; Part Two looks at analytical and in vitro methods to study progranulin biology; Part Three discusses the role of progranulin in cancer; and Part Four describes the process of using animal models to study progranulin in health and disease. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and thorough, Progranulin: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for experienced researchers who want to expand their studies of this field, and newcomers who want to begin including progranulin into their work.

Prepared by world leaders on this topic, Biomarkers in Cancer Screening and Early Detection offers a comprehensive, state-of-the-art perspective on the various research and clinical aspects of cancer biomarkers, from their discovery and development to their validation, clinical utility, and use in developing personalized cancer treatment. Offers a comprehensive, state-of-the-art perspective on the various research and clinical aspects of cancer biomarkers Provides immediately actionable information – and hopefully also inspiration – to move discovery and clinical application forward Offers vital knowledge to help develop personalized cancer treatment for individual patients with specific cancers

At present there are a growing number of biomolecules under investigation to understand their potential role as cancer biomarker for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes. Intriguingly, the state of art on cancer biomarkers research shows interesting and promising results together to clamorous failures. Also from a clinical point of view, there are contradictory results on routine clinical use of the present cancer biomarkers. Some patients may be simply monitored in their course by a periodic blood sample, but sometimes this monitoring shows dramatic limits. A lot of patients show serious and extensive relapses without significant change in serum concentrations of biomarkers tested. Often the physician who should utilize these biomarker does not entirely know their limits and the total potential applications as well and sometimes this knowledge is influenced by economical and marketing strategies. This limited and "polluted" knowledge may have dramatic consequences for patient. The aim of this book is to diffuse all aspects of cancer biomarkers, from their biochemical peculiarities to all clinical implications by passing through their physiology and pathophysiology. This critical approach towards old and new cancer biomarkers should foster a deepened and useful understanding of the diagnostic and prognostic index of these fundamental parameters of laboratory medicine and in the same time facilitating the research of new and more sensitive-specific signals of the cancer cell proliferation.

The enormous expansion seen over the last decade in the mammo graphic detection of breast cancer lesions, especially the use of screen ing procedures for the early detection of clinically unsuspected tumors, has made it necessary to summarize the experience made by various centers in the world. The 2nd International Copenhagen Symposium on Detection of Breast Cancer afforded an opportunity of gathering scientists from all over the world to discuss the various problems of early breast cancer detection with special reference to screening procedures. This book forms a synthesis of the information presented by leading scientists from many of the world's mammo graphic centers, particularly those in Sweden and the USA. Hence, the reader will have the opportunity to study the outstanding work carried out by various institutes and centers of breast cancer screening. It is our sincere hope that a study of this volume will encourage other scientists to join in the work on screening procedures. S. Brunner B. Langfeldt P. E. Andersen Contents S. A. Feig: 1 Hypothetical Breast Cancer Risk from Mammography S. A. Feig: Benefits and Risks of Mammography 11 R. L. Egan and M. B. McSweeney: Multicentric Breast Carcinoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 M. B. McSweeney and R. L. Egan: Breast Cancer in the Younger Patient: A Preliminary Report 36 M. B. McSweeney and R. L. Egan: Bilateral Breast Carcinoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' 41 N. Bjurstam: The Radiographic Appearance of Normal and Metastatic Axillary Lymph Nodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 M. Moskowitz, S. A. Feig, C. Cole-Beuglet, S. H.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the field of breast cancer biology. It is a complete and descriptive reference on motioning pathways and new treatment options for the future transnational scientists and clinicians working on cancer research and treatment. We greatly appreciate the work of all the contributors to this book. They have brought with them tremendous diversity of perspectives and fields, which is truly reflective of the complexity of the topic, and they have come together in this project to serve as the node of multidisciplinary collaboration in this field. Finally, we must acknowledge the thousands of cancer patients who have participated in the studies, and who have inspired us to gather information to significantly progress knowledge in the field in recent years.

The use of biomarkers in basic and clinical research has become routine in many areas of medicine. They are accepted as molecular signatures that have been well characterized and repeatedly shown to be capable of predicting relevant disease states or clinical outcomes. In Role of Biomarkers in Medicine, expert researchers in their individual field have reviewed many biomarkers or potential biomarkers in various types of diseases. The topics address numerous aspects of medicine, demonstrating the current conceptual status of biomarkers as clinical tools and as surrogate endpoints in clinical research. This book highlights the current state of biomarkers and will aid scientists and clinicians to develop better and more specific biomarkers for disease management.