Oncogene-Directed Therapies

by Janusz W. Rak (Editor)

Overview

Prominent investigators and clinicians summarize in a balanced blend of fundamental science, basic research, experimental therapeutics, and early clinical experiences, what is known about oncogenes and oncogenesis, and describe how that knowledge can be used to treat the cancer. The contributors explain how, why, and under what conditions certain proteins acquire the ability to transform eukaryotic cells, and detail the crucial biological consequences of this oncogenic transformation, particularly for cellular mitogenesis, survival, differentiation, migration, proteolysis, or angiogenic competence. Their articles thoroughly explicate the premises, principles, techniques, and approaches to oncogene targeting in various types of human cancer by using signal transduction inhibitors, immunological targeting methods, and antisense gene therapy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780896039827
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	12/03/2002
Series:	Cancer Drug Discovery and Development
Edition description:	2003
Pages:	487
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.04(d)

Table of Contents

I. Basic Concepts in Oncogene Research.- 1 Genetic Basis of Cancer Progression.- 2 The Molecular Basis of Chromosomal Instability in Human Cancer Cells.- 3 Signal Transduction Networks: Ras as a Paradigm.- 4 Oncogenic Receptor Tyrosine Kinases.- 5 Ras-Mediated Deregulation of Gene Expression and Contribution to Oncogenesis.- 6 The Interplay Between Tumor Suppressor Genes and Oncogenes in Tumorigenesis.- 7 Genetic Basis of Altered Responsiveness of Cancer Cells to Their Microenvironment.- II. The Functional Impact of Oncogene Expression on Cancer Cellstherapeutic Implications.- 8 Deregulation of Cell Cycle Progression by Oncogenic Transformation.- 9 Oncogenes as Regulators of Cell Survival: The Role of Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes in the Induction of Resistance to Anoikis and Hypoxia.- 10 Oncogenes and Tumor Angiogenesis.- 11 Oncogenes as Therapeutic Targets to Prevent Metastasis.- 12 The Impact of Oncogenes on Tumor Maintenance.- 13 Primary and Secondary Events in Oncogene-Driven Tumor Development: Lessons from Transgenic Model Systems.- III. Oncogenes as Targets for Anticancer Therapy In Vivo.- 14 Targeting Oncogenes in Hematopoietic Malignancies.- 15 Clinical Evaluation of Agents Targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in Cancer.- 16 Inhibition of the HER-2/neu Oncogene: A Translational Research Model for the Development of Future Targeted Therapies.- 17 Farnesyltransferase Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents.- 18 Targeting Oncogenic Signaling Pathways in Human Astrocytomas.- 19 Targeting Oncogenes in Pediatric Malignancies.- 20 Inhibiting Signal Transduction as an Approach to Radiosensitizing Tumor Cells.- 21 Oncogenes as Targets for Cancer Vaccines.- 22 Bcl-2 Antisense Oligonucleotides Therapy for Cancer: Targeting the Mihondria.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Hidayatullah G. Munshi, MD (Northwestern University)
Description: Dr. Janusz Rak of the Henderson Research Center in Ontario, Canada has brought together a number of well-established researchers to show what is known about oncogenes and how this knowledge has helped to design targeted cancer therapies.
Purpose: The book describes clearly that the knowledge gained from understanding the basic biology of oncogenes has shaped how we treat cancer and has resulted in the development of a number of compounds that have been successfully used in clinical trials.
Audience: This book will be useful to anyone interested in the biology of cancer and how the basic knowledge gained from many years of effort could be translated into practical treatments. Thus, this book will be useful not only to those just starting their research careers, including graduate and medical students, but also to those who have been involved in the field of cancer biology and treatment for a number of years, including seasoned scientists and clinicians.
Features: The book is divided into three parts. The first part covers the basic concepts in oncogene research, including signal transduction networks. The second part details how oncogenes are important in tumor maintenance, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The last third of the book describes in detail compounds developed with this increased knowledge and understanding that are currently being used in clinical trials or already approved by the government.
Assessment: This is a well referenced and up-to-date book that will give the reader a taste of the excitement and revolution currently underway in the treatment of cancer with the use of targeted therapies.

Doody's Review Service

"The book is well referenced, and readers will easily be able to locate primary literature for in-depth reading on specific topics. The figures and illustrations are extremely useful in summarizing complex topics that are discussed. In summary, this is an unique, well-organized, and timely presentation on a topic of high importance. People who will find this volume especially useful include students of tumor biology, basic scientists with an interest in novel therapeutic or translational research, and all clinicians who are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer." - Neuro-oncology

"This book attempts to cover a vast and rapidly evolving field of research, both basic and clinical, and does so successfully by giving the reader a balanced mix of basic science, experimental therapeutics and clinical observations. Most chapters are richly illustrated and all have extensive lists of relevant references." - Medical Oncology

"...this book will be useful not only to those just starting their research careers, including graduate and medical students, but also to those who have been involved in the field of cancer biology and treatment for a number of years, including seasoned scientists and clinicians." -Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal

From the Publisher