Introduction to Cancer Metastasis provides, in one place, an overview of organ-specific cancer metastasis and the most common sites of cancer metastasis. Through specific chapters on individual primary cancers, their metastasis, and chapters on common metastatic sites, this volume comprehensively informs readers about the broader knowledge base in cancer metastasis. The process of metastasis is particularly responsible for making cancer so lethal. This volume explores both metastasis from sites of origin and common metastatic sites, thus increasing understanding of both perspectives. - Includes basic biology and translational approaches to organ-specific cancer sites - Provides readers with information on emerging therapeutic targets for cancer metastasis - Contains contributions from leading researchers around the globe

Introduction to Cancer Metastasis provides an overview of organ-specific cancer metastasis and the most common sites of cancer metastasis all in one place. Through specific chapters on individual primary cancers and their metastasis, along with chapters on common metastatic site, this volume comprehensively informs readers on the broader knowledge so far obtained on cancer metastasis. The process of metastasis is particularly responsible for making cancer so lethal. This volume explores both metastasis from sites of origin and common metastatic sites, so as to increase understanding of both perspectives. Includes basic biology and translational approaches to organ-specific cancer sites Provides readers with information on emerging therapeutic targets for cancer metastasis Contains contributions from leading researchers around the globe

Resistance to therapies, both targeted and systemic, and metastases to distant organs are the underlying causes of breast cancer-associated mortality. The second edition of Breast Cancer Metastasis and Drug Resistance brings together some of the leading experts to comprehensively understand breast cancer: the factors that make it lethal, and current research and clinical progress. This volume covers the following core topics: basic understanding of breast cancer (statistics, epidemiology, racial disparity and heterogeneity), metastasis and drug resistance (bone metastasis, trastuzumab resistance, tamoxifen resistance and novel therapeutic targets, including non-coding RNAs, inflammatory cytokines, cancer stem cells, ubiquitin ligases, tumor microenvironment and signaling pathways such as TRAIL, JAK-STAT and mTOR) and recent developments in the field (epigenetic regulation, microRNAs-mediated regulation, novel therapies and the clinically relevant 3D models). Experts also discuss the advances in laboratory research along with their translational and clinical implications with an overarching goal to improve the diagnosis and prognosis, particularly that of breast cancer patients with advanced disease.

There has been a dramatic increase in knowledge of tight junctions in the past decade. The molecular structure of tight junctions, cellular functions and the pathophysiological roles of tight junctions are becoming clear. Of the most important functions, the role of the cellular structure in cancer spread and drug delivery are increasingly realised. It is now clear that there are fundamental changes to tight junctions during the process of cancer development. Tight junctions are also critical to the metastatic process of cancer cells. The cellular structure is also crucial in drug therapies, namely, the permeability and bioavailability of the drugs, penetration of barriers such as the blood brain barrier. This current volume aims to summarise the current knowledge of tight junctions, their role in cancer and cancer metastasis and is of interest to scientists and clinicians.

Metastasis is responsible for a large burden of morbidity and mortality among cancer patients, and currently few therapies specifically target metastatic disease. Further scientific dissection of the underlying pathways is required to pave the way for new therapeutic targets. This groundbreaking new text comprehensively covers the processes underlying cancer metastasis and the clinical treatment of metastatic disease. Whereas previous volumes have been compendia of laboratory research articles, the internationally renowned authors of this volume have summarized the state-of-the-art research in the metastasis field. A major section covers the cellular and molecular pathways of metastasis and experimental techniques and the systems and models applied in this field. Subsequently, the clinical aspects of the major cancer types are considered, focusing on disease-specific research and therapeutic approaches to metastatic disease. The focus is on novel pathophysiological insights and emerging therapies; future directions for research and unmet clinical needs are also discussed.

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.

In Volume I, Analysis of Cells and Tissues, we presented a range of protocols aimed at mapping and analyzing the expression of various molecules of pot- tial interest in metastasis research and for examining their production at the genetic level. In this second volume of metastasis research protocols, we move to the level of living cells and tissues and present methodologies applicable to examining metastatic behavior in vitro and in whole animal models. The methods described in the first section of this volume concentrate on the separation of cell lines with high and low metastatic potential, including the genetic modification of cell lines. The assay systems to test defined aspects of the metastatic cascade are then described in Part II and include cell migration assays, assays for matrix degrading enzymes, basement membrane degrading assays, adhesion assays, and assays of angiogenesis. The role of the specific elements of the metastatic cascade assayed in each of these systems in turn must of course be put into perspective relative to their roles in entire living organisms.