Cancer gene therapy is a novel therapy that targets the underlying genetic defects in the cancer cell. Progress in this field has been rapid and gene therapy promises to further extend personalized cancer treatment. In this volume leading experts have contributed their experience in developing gene therapies for a variety of cancers. Translational gene therapy approaches are emphasized. Chapters include discussions of specific gene delivery technologies as well as their application to vari...

This book is about the p53 gene, one of the most frequently mutated or deleted genes in human cancers. The frequent occurrence of inactivated p53 implicates this gene product in the genesis of many human cancers. The p53 gene can suppress the growth of cancer cells and the transformation process by oncogenes. The p53 protein is a transcription factor that can repress or activate promoters containing one of three p53 DNA-binding motifs. The activity of p53 is regulated by phosphorylation an...

**The best and most concise single source for state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer –**newly revised, updated, and expanded.Lung cancer has long been the number-one cause of death from cancer every year and the third most frequently diagnosed after breast and prostate cancers. In 2010, about 15% of all cancer diagnoses and 30% of all cancer deaths were due to lung cancer. Needless to say, there is a great need for more rapid advancements in diagno...

The ultimate source of information on the design of new anticancer agents, emphasizing small molecules, this newest work covers recent notable successes resulting from the human genome and cancer genomics projects. These advances have provided information on targets involved in specific cancers that are leading to effective medicines for at least some of the common solid tumors. Unique sections explain the basic underlying principles of cancer drug development and provide a practical intro...

Cancer therapeutics include an ever-increasing array of tools at the disposal of clinicians in their treatment of this disease. However, cancer is a tough opponent in this battle, and current treatments, which typically include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, are not often enough to rid the patient of his or her cancer. Cancer cells can become resistant to the treatments directed at them, and overcoming this drug resistance is an important research focus. Additionally, increasing d...

There has been major growth in understanding immune suppression mechanisms and its relationship to cancer progression and therapy. This book highlights emerging new principles of immune suppression that drive cancer, and it offers radically new ideas about how therapy can be improved by attacking these principles. Following work that firmly establishes immune escape as an essential trait of cancer, recent studies have now defined specific mechanisms of tumor immune suppression. It also dem...

Gene therapy as a treatment for cancer is at a critical point in its evolution. Exciting new developments in gene targeting and vector technology, coupled with results from the first generation of preclinical and clinical studies have led to the design and testing of new therapeutic approaches. The Third Edition of Gene Therapy of Cancer provides crucial updates on the basic and applied sciences of gene therapy. It offers a comprehensive assessment of the field including the areas of suici...

Cancer, which has become the second-most prevalent health issue globally, is essentially a malfunction of cell signaling. Understanding how the intricate signaling networks of cells and tissues allow cancer to thrive - and how they can be turned into potent weapons against it - is the key to managing cancer in the clinic and improving the outcome of cancer therapies. In their ground-breaking textbook, the authors provide a compelling story of how cancer works on the molecular level, and ho...

The post-genomic era has brought new challenges and opportunities in all fields of the biology. In this context, several genome engineering technologies have emerged that will help deciphering genes function by as well as improve gene therapy strategies. Genomic modifications such as knock-in, knock-out, knock-down, sequence replacement or modification can today be routinely performed. However, in front of this large palette of methodologies scientists may experience difficulties to gather...

Novel Approaches and Strategies for Biologics, Vaccines and Cancer Therapies takes a look at the current strategies, successes and challenges involved with the development of novel formulations of biologics, vaccines and cancer therapy. This thorough reference on the latest trends in the development of diverse modalities will appeal to a broad community of scientists, students and clinicians. Written by leading authors across academia and industry, this book covers important topics such as...

This volume investigates how the mitochondrial genome is transmitted, segregated, and inherited. It starts by describing mtDNA mutations and deletions and how these impact on the offspring’s well-being. It progresses to discuss how mutations to the mtDNA-nuclear-encoded transcription, replication and translational factors lead to mtDNA-depletion syndromes and how these affect cellular function and lead to the pathology of human mitochondrial disease. It also highlights the importance of th...

This book discusses the emergence of a new class of genes with a specific anticancer activity. These genes, recently defined as “Anticancer Genes”, are reviewed in individual chapters on their mode of action, the specific cell death signals they induce, and the status of attempts to translate them into clinical application.Anticancer Genes provides an overview of this nascent field, its genesis, current state, and prospect. It discusses how Anticancer Genes might lead to t...