The book starts with an introduction to and history of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), followed by a description of their differentiation, their role in the tumour microenvironment and their therapeutic targeting. It closes with an outlook on future developments. In cancer patients, myelopoiesis is perturbed and instead of generating immunogenic myeloid cells (such as dendritic cells, inflammatory macrophages and granulocytes), there is an increase in highly immature MDSCs. These...

This comprehensive volume explores the latest research on the mechanisms of resistance in cancer cells to CTL-mediated immunotherapy. Chapter topics discuss cell-mediated immunity as the result of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) directed specifically against cancer cells. In addition, the volume reviews how CTL mediate the cytotoxic activity, in large part, by the indication of apoptosis; hence, tumor cells develop anti-apoptotic mechanisms and thereby, resist CTL-induced apoptosis. In order...

“Nerve-Driven Immunity: Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides in the Immune System” summarizes, analyzes and sheds new light on an unrecognized, yet very important role of key neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in the immune system.Each chapter of the book deals with a different neurotransmitter/neuropeptide from the following list: Dopamine, Adrenaline, Noradrenaline, Acetylcholine, Glutamate, GABA, Somatostatin, Neuropeptide Y (NPY), Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), Calcito...

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the discovery of Natural Killer (NK) cells, this volume focuses on the recent advances in our understanding of NK cell development and differentiation and their acquisition of functional properties, as well as the latest models for NK-cell analysis in mice and applications in clinical medicine. NK cells have travelled a circuitous path from their initial description as ‘spontaneous killers’ (for some simply an experimental artifact) to being a bona ...

Targeted Therapy in Translational Cancer Research for the Translational Oncology series provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in our understanding of tumor biology, elucidates the roles of targets and pathways involved in carcinogenesis, and describes current state-of-the-art anticancer therapy, as well as the most promising areas of translational research and targeted therapy.Introduces cutting-edge ‘bench to bedside and back’ breakthroug...

The diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic disorders, is being made with increasing frequency over the past decade owing to increased recognition, improved understanding, and an aging population. This book, completely updated since the first edition, summarizes in a concise and focused way the current knowledge of all aspects of MDS. Clinical presentation, etiology, epidemiology, molecular biology, classification, and staging are...

This issue of the Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America, Guest Edited by Dr. William G. Cance, is devoted to Translational Cancer Research for Surgeons. Translational Cancer research aims to move bench research to the bedside by applying basic science toward potential therapies. This issue will present the concepts of translational research and development of targeted therapeutics, and its implications for surgeons. It will show clinical applications for surgeons regarding sarcoma/GIS...

Glioblastoma is the most malignant brain tumor that still remains incurable. It is such a deadly disease that patients do not survive more than a few months after diagnosis. Our understanding of the histopathology and molecular mechanisms of formation of glioblastoma is rapidly advancing so as to provide us clues for devising rational therapeutic strategies for treatment of this malignancy. It is important that we continue to improve our knowledge about the pathogenesis of this devastating...

This work will provide a historical perspective on tumor immunotherapy, discuss fundamental mechanisms of failed tumor rejection, look at passive strategies to boost anti-tumor immunity, as well as have an in-depth look at active strategies to boost anti-tumor immunity.

Tumor-Induced Immune Suppression - Prospects and Progress in Mechanisms and Therapeutic Reversalpresents a comprehensive overview of large number of different mechanisms of immune dysfunction in cancer and therapeutic approaches to their correction. This includes the number of novel mechanisms that has never before been discussed in previous monographs.The last decades were characterized by substantial progress in the understanding of the role of the immune system in tumor...

The concept of cancer stem cells has great clinical implications. This is due to the fact that small subpopulations of these cells have been identified in a variety of neoplastic conditions ranging from solid tumors to liquid malignancies. Although there are some huge gaps in our current understanding of the role played by cancer stem cells in cancer biology, a growing body of evidence provides strong support for the principal functions of these cells in tumorigenesis. This has represented...

The difference among pluripotent stem cells, multipotent stem cells, and unipotent stem cells is pointed out. Vast therapeutic applications of the following specific stem cells in disease and tissue injury are discussed: human embryonic stem cells, human mesenchymal stem cells, germ cell-derived pluripotent stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, human umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells, breast tumor stem cells,and hematopoietic stem cells. Because of the potential of human embryo...