Cytokines in Human Health: Immunotoxicology, Pathology, and Therapeutic Applications / Edition 1

by Robert V. House, Jacques Descotes

Overview

Cytokines in Human Health: Immunotoxicology, Pathology, and Therapeutic Applications explores the role of cytokines in immunotoxicology and human health using a variety of complex methods, from basic research to highly applied therapeutic applications. The first section of the book is devoted to basic concepts of cytokine biology, especially as this relates to the practice of immunotoxicology. Chapters in this section review the ability of external influences to modify the expression, production, and activity of these molecules. The second section provides a broad understanding of the range of cytokine activity in human disease, describing methods for assessing cytokine immunotoxicity. In the third and final section of the book, the increasingly important use of cytokines as therapeutics is explored in detail. This section includes examinations into the effects of cytokines on the immune system and in treating cancer. Timely and comprehensive, Cytokines in Human Health: Immunotoxicology, Pathology, and Therapeutic Applications will serve as both a primer and a starting point for a more detailed investigation of the role these fascinating biological regulators play in human health and disease.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781588294678
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	04/23/2007
Series:	Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology
Edition description:	2007
Pages:	366
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.05(d)

Table of Contents

to Cytokines as Targets for Immunomodulation.- Cytokine Measurement Tools for Immunotoxicology.- The Relevance of the T1/T2 Paradigm in Immunotoxicology.- Microbial Exploitation and Subversion of the Human Chemokine Network.- The Use of Cytokines in the Identification and Characterization of Chemical Allergens.- Inflammatory Cytokines and Lung Toxicity.- Cytokine Polymorphisms and Relationship to Disease.- Effects of Drugs of Abuse on Cytokine Responses.- Preclinical Approaches for the Safety Assessment of Cytokines.- Flu-Like Syndrome and Cytokines.- Cytokine-Induced Vascular Leak Syndrome.- Cytokines and Autoimmune Diseases.- Evaluation of Antibodies in Clinical Trials of Cytokines.- Cytokines and Pharmacokinetic Drug Interactions.- Evaluation of the Immunological Effects of Cytokines Administered to Patients With Cancer.- Clinical Adverse Effects of Cytokines on the Immune System.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Cheryl E Rockwell, Ph.D., B.S.(University of Kansas Medical Center)
Description: Cytokines serve various roles in different areas of human health, which range from the pathophysiological effects of immunotoxicants upon cytokine production and function to cytokines that are used clinically as therapeutics.
Purpose: This book serves as a primer or a starting point for a more detailed investigation of cytokines in human health, providing a broad reference for new investigators and established researchers alike.
Audience: It is written for basic researchers who focus on cytokine biology as well as clinical researchers who have an interest in the applied therapeutic applications of cytokines. It is a suitable reference for both basic and clinical researchers as well as graduate and medical students. The authors are established researchers in their respective areas.
Features: The book covers a range of various topics that span the immunotoxicological effects of chemicals on cytokine production and the subsequent pathological effects on humans to emerging therapeutics of cytokines and/or their inhibitors in the treatment of diseases. Specifically, it addresses current methodology in cytokine detection, the role of skin and respiratory sensitizers in T cell polarization, the mechanisms of lung toxicity by air pollutants, the effect of drugs of abuse on immune responses, current and future therapeutic uses and strategies for cytokines and/or their inhibitors in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer, as well as the adverse effects of cytokine/inhibitor treatments in humans. In addition, it addresses the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms in various cytokine genes and a number of diseases, including asthma and other autoimmune diseases. Overall, this book provides a very broad overview of several different areas with citations which the reader may use for further information. The text is quite readable, easy to understand and not particularly detailed, making it suitable as an initial reference. The figures and tables are generally straightforward and easy to follow. The established paradigms in cytokine biology are covered with particular reference to human health. The differences between murine and human cytokine regulation are mentioned where pertinent. Like cytokine systems themselves, the subject matter is diverse, spanning the adverse to the beneficial effects of cytokines in humans. The chapters covering the therapeutic uses of cytokines in autoimmunity, cancer, and other diseases are topical, referencing not only current therapies, but also emerging therapies in preclinical and clinical trials.
Assessment: While several books address immunotoxicology generally, and others focus on autoimmunity specifically, this book is unique in the way it ties together several different areas of immunology in the context of the roles of cytokines within various pathophysiological conditions and therapies. This book is a useful reference for those interested in cytokine research.

Doody's Review Service

"...unique in the way it ties together several different areas of immunology in the context of the roles of cytokines within various pathophysiological conditions and therapies...a useful reference for those interested in cytokine research." -Doody's Book Review, Weighted Numberical Score: 88 - 3 Stars

"...an interesting overview of the applications and role of cytokines in human health and disease, and with large numbers of reference supplied with each chapter it is most certainly a good source of reference material for researchers in the field." -Immunology News

"This book is the latest addition to the ‘Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology’ series … . The editors, Robert House and Jacques Descotes, are internationally renowned experts in the immunotoxicology field … . Overall, this is a useful volume, which should serve as a good reference source for toxicologists and immunologists working in the immunotoxicology and/or biopharmaceutical fields. The various chapters are concisely written and well referenced … ." (Peter Ryle, BTS Newsletter, Winter 2007)

From the Publisher