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Hematological cancers or blood cancers are a heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, primarily affect the blood and bone marrow. The “Hematological Cancer Pathophysiology: An Interdisciplinary Approach” is the tenth volume of the “Interdisciplinary Cancer Research” series, publishes a comprehensive volume on the pathophysiology of hematological cancers. This volume has an interdisciplinary approach in hematological cancers, including myeloproliferative neoplasms, T-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and intraocular lymphoma. Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and IgG4-related diseases are also discussed in the last chapters. This interdisciplinary series is of special value to researchers working on hematology and oncology. This is the main concept of Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), which is a part of Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN). This interdisciplinary book will be of special value to hematologists and oncologists who wish to extend their knowledge on hematological cancers.

This book focuses on laser-triggered nanobiomaterials for tumor inhibition. In this book, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-mediated cancer PTT through intratumoral or/and intravenous injection is introduced first. The benefits of intratumoral injection and the main factors affecting the retention of materials and permeability in solid tumors have been discussed. Furthermore, an attempt has been made to explore the performance of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles after intravenous injection for tumor-targeted PTT based on several strategies. The latter part probes the gaps to improve magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-mediated PTT through intratumoral and intravenous injection modes. This book also includes discussion on drug-loaded magnetic nanocomposites, magnetic iron oxide/Au nanocomposites, and magnetic iron oxide/semiconductor nanocrystal nanocomposites for combination cancer therapy, and enhanced cancer PTT has also been included as an integral part. This book also summarizes the most investigated photothermal agents, including noble metal nanoparticles, especially gold nanostars, hollow mesoporous copper sulfide nanoparticles, carbon-based nanoparticles, especially carbon nanotubes and graphic carbon nanocages, black phosphorous nanosheets, conjugated polymer nanoparticles, and organic dye nanoparticles. This book is useful for undergraduate and postgraduate students to better understand this research area. It may also provide useful information for technical nonspecialists whose background is in nanoscience and nanotechnology, biology, medicine, pharmacy, materials, chemistry, and physics.

“Biomedical Application of 4-Hexylresorcinol” is a comprehensive review of the latest research findings on the biomedical effects of 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR), a compound widely used as an antiseptic and food additive to prevent melanosis. Over the past two decades, the author has conducted extensive studies on 4HR, uncovering additional properties and applications that extend far beyond its traditional uses. This book aims to provide a thorough understanding of 4HR's numerous mechanisms and potential applications, with a focus on its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. The book, “Biomedical Application of 4-Hexylresorcinol,” is poised to fill this critical knowledge gap. It will captivate professionals in the realms of biomedical research, medicine, and pharmacology, as well as students pursuing these disciplines. What truly sets our book apart is its unique concentration on 4HR and the wide-ranging applications in biomedical research and clinical practice. As interest in alternative therapeutic approaches continues to grow, along with the increasing acknowledgment of the value of natural compounds, this book is perfectly positioned to become an indispensable resource for researchers, clinicians, and aspiring professionals alike.

This book intends to report new concept of onco-spheres in cancer ecosystem. Onco-spheres are defined as where cancer cells (living organisms) dynamically interact with nontumor cellular (other living organisms) and noncellular components (non-living environmental factors) in the ‘host'internal environment (habitat) to construct a self-sustainable cancer ecosystem, which can be scoped at three different levels: primary/regional, distal and systemic onco-spheres. Cancer cells should be conceived as ‘living organisms', interacting with cellular or noncellular components in the host internal environment, not only with the local tumor microenvironment (TME) but also constantly communicating with a distant organ niche as well interacting with the host's nervous, endocrine and immune systems, to construct a self-sustainable ‘biosphere', as we termed the tumor ecosystem. By looking at theinteraction of cancer and host as a unique ecosystem, we will use ecology principles to further delineate the features of the dynamics of the tumor ecosystem. As the pioneer in proposing this concept, we feel that this full-scale overview of the tumor ecosystem is able to inform the readers about this concept, and to pave the way for designing novel therapeutic strategies on actionable targets within tumor ecosystem. The book is likely to be of interest to immunologist, biologist, medical students, researchers and general public who wish to learn more on this new concept of tumor ecosystem, and how this could be applied in many fields of research.

The book provides a comprehensive overview of classic and modern approaches of centrosome research, including new aspects of centrosome functions focusing on primary cilia and their implications in numerous diseases. In addition, several chapters raise awareness of centrosomes in areas that have not yet fully considered the centrosome as an organelle that impacts other organelle functions directly or indirectly. It further relates centrosome functions to other research areas such as aging and stem cell research. Since its discovery almost 150 years ago the centrosome is increasingly being recognized as a most impactful organelle for its role, not only as primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) but also as a major communication center for signal transduction pathways and as a center for proteolytic activities. Its significance for cell cycle regulation has been well studied and we now also know that centrosome dysfunctions are implicated in numerous diseases and disorders including cancer, cystic diseases of the kidney, liver fibrosis, cardiac defects, obesity and several other diseases and disorders. This new volume reviews the latest advances in the field and provides valuable background information that is readily understandable for the newcomer and the experienced centrosome researcher alike. Due to the interdisciplinary of the subject, it is a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians working in biomedical research, cell biology, cancer biology, reproduction and developmental biology, neuroscience and stem cell research.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health challenge as the third leading cause for cancer related mortalities worldwide. Despite advances in therapeutic strategies, the five-year survival rate for CRC patients has remained the same over time due to the fact that patients are often diagnosed in advanced metastatic stages. Drug resistance is another common reason for poor prognosis. Researchers are now developing advanced therapeutic strategies such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and combination nanotechnology for drug delivery. In addition, the identification of new biomarkers will potentiate early stage diagnosis.This book is the third of three volumes on recent developments in colorectal diagnosis and therapy. Each volume can be read on its own, or together. Each volume focuses on different novel therapeutic advances, biomarkers, and identifies therapeutic targets for treatment. Written by leading international experts in the field, coverage addresses the role of diet habits and lifestyle in reducing gastrointestinal disorders and incidence of CRC. Chapters discuss current and future diagnostic and therapeutic options for colorectal cancer patients, focusing on immunotherapeutics, nanomedicine, biomarkers, and dietary factors for the effective management of colon cancer.

Much research has focused on the basic cellular and molecular biological aspects of stem cells. Much of this research has been fueled by their potential for use in regenerative medicine applications, which has in turn spurred growing numbers of translational and clinical studies. However, more work is needed if the potential is to be realized for improvement of the lives and well-being of patients with numerous diseases and conditions.This book series'Cell Biology and Translational Medicine (CBTMED)'as part of Springer Nature's longstanding and very successful Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology book series, has the goal to accelerate advances by timely information exchange. Emerging areas of regenerative medicine and translational aspects of stem cells are covered in each volume. Outstanding researchers are recruited to highlight developments and remaining challenges in both the basic research and clinical arenas. This current book is the 16th volume of a continuing series.Chapter'Epithelial Stem Cells: Making, Shaping and Breaking the Niche'is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the development and application of microfluidics and biosensors in cancer research, in particular, their applications in cancer modeling and theranostics.Over the last decades, considerable effort has been made to develop new technologies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Microfluidics has proven to be a powerful tool for manipulating biological fluids with high precision and efficiency and has already been adopted by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With recent technological advances, particularly biosensors, microfluidic devices have increased their usefulness and importance in oncology and cancer research.The aim of this book is to bring together in a single volume all the knowledge and expertise required for the development and application of microfluidic systems and biosensors in cancer modeling and theranostics. It begins with a detailed introduction to the fundamental aspects of tumor biology, cancer biomarkers, biosensors and microfluidics. With this knowledge in mind, the following sections highlight important advances in developing and applying biosensors and microfluidic devices in cancer research at universities and in the industry. Strategies for identifying and evaluating potent disease biomarkers and developing biosensors and microfluidic devices for their detection are discussed in detail. Finally, the transfer of these technologies into the clinical environment for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients will be highlighted. By combining the recent advances made in the development and application of microfluidics and biosensors in cancer research in academia and clinics, this book will be useful literature for readers from a variety of backgrounds. It offers new visions of how this technology can influence daily life in hospitals and companies, improving research methodologies and the prognosis of cancer patients.

This book offers a summary and discussion of the advances of inflammation and infection in various cancers. The authors cover the classically known virus infections in cancer, novel roles of other pathogens (e.g. bacteria and fungi), as well as biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy. Further, the chapters highlight the progress of immune therapy, stem cells and the role of the microbiome in the pathophysiology of cancers.Readers will gain insights into complex microbial communities, that inhabit most external human surfaces and play a key role in health and disease. Perturbations of host-microbe interactions often lead to altered host responses that can promote cancer development. Thus, this book highlights emerging roles of the microbiome in pathogenesis of cancers and outcome of therapy. The focus is on mechanistic concepts that underlie the complex relationships between host and microbes. Approaches that can inhibit infection, suppress chronic inflammation and reverse the dysbiosis are discussed, as a means for restoring the balance between host and microbes.This comprehensive work will be beneficial to researchers and students interested in infectious diseases, microbiome, and cancer as well as clinicians and general physiologists.

This book highlights the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the initiation and progression of skin cancer. It also explains the role of the environment in skin cancer development and explores the potential of microbiome in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of skin cancer. The book also presents potential biomarkers for early detection of skin cancer and discusses recent advances in skin cancer prevention and treatment using photodynamic therapy. Lastly, it summarizes the applications of biomedical engineering, non-coding and nanotechnology in the diagnosis and therapeutics in skin cancer. It is a valuable resource for investigators in the field of skin cancer, including pathologists, medical and surgical oncologists, and dermatologists.

The present book on Molecular & Diagnostic Imaging and Treatment Strategies of ovarian cancer is one of two companion books with the second one being focused on Cell and Molecular Biology of Ovarian Cancer. Both books include new exciting aspects of ovarian cancer research with chapters written by experts in their respective fields who contributed their unique expertise in specific ovarian cancer research areas and include cell and molecular details that are important for the specific subtopics. Comprehensive and concise reviews are included of key topics in the field.

This book reviews current immunotherapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, including immune composition, immune checkpoint inhibitors, cell therapy, and peptide vaccines used to protect against esophageal, gastric, hepato-biliary, pancreatic and colorectal cancers. It also discusses the current challenges of using immunotherapy for the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies. The book reviews highly sensitive and specific immunomarkers for the detection of GI malignancies, and examines therapeutic vaccines and the major cytokines involved in GI immunotherapy, as well as their basic biology and clinical applications. In closing, the book explores various aspects of computational biology for the detection and treatment of GI malignancies.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health challenge as the third leading cause for cancer related mortalities worldwide. Despite advances in therapeutic strategies, the five-year survival rate for CRC patients has remained the same over time due to the fact that patients are often diagnosed in advanced metastatic stages. Drug resistance is another common reason for poor prognosis. Researchers are now developing advanced therapeutic strategies such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and combination nanotechnology for drug delivery. In addition, the identification of new biomarkers will potentiate early stage diagnosis.This book is the first of three volumes on recent developments in colorectal diagnosis and therapy. Each volume can be read on its own, or together. Each volume focuses on different novel therapeutic advances, biomarkers, and identifies therapeutic targets for treatment. Written by leading international experts in the field, coveragealso addresses the role of diet habits and lifestyle in reducing gastrointestinal disorders and incidence of CRC. Chapters discuss current and future diagnostic and therapeutic options for colorectal cancer patients, focusing on immunotherapeutic, nanomedicine, biomarkers, and dietary factors for the effective management of colon cancer.

This book compiles selected articles presented at the International Conference on Biotechnology & Biological Sciences, BIOSPECTRUM 2017, organized by the Department of Biotechnology, University of Engineering & Management, Kolkata. Focusing on biotechnology-based analysis and intervention to address certain human diseases, the book includes a holistic discourse on disease profiling, molecular level analysis of diseases, and non-invasive medical interventions. It features articles on non-invasive treatment of iron deficiency anemia with iron nanoparticles; novel diagnosis methods based on microarray data; analysis using machine learning techniques like artificial neural network for early detection and treatment of cancer; and drug discovery for preventing the growth of human leukemic cells. Further, the book sheds light on in silico drug design using lipopeptides, and identifying the binding sites for their corresponding ligands. Presenting the concepts of the design of potent and safe antimicrobial compounds to fight multi drug resistant pathogens, it also includes interesting reviews on the design and development of various non-invasive methods, such as multi NIR wavelength probes to identify the risk areas in the diabetic foot at an early stage; and a low-cost cochlear implant prototype designed and developed from commercial off the-shelf components to empower the hearing impaired.The book appeals to students, academics and researchers in a wide range of subject areas, including biotechnology, life sciences, medicine and cancer research.

This book summarizes the latest advances in nanomaterials and techniques in the field of tumor-targeted diagnosis and therapy. It provides valuable information for beginners and senior researchers, and stimulates new research directions by offering novel and provocative insights into the properties and technical principles of nanomaterials. The book systemically discusses the challenges in tumor treatment, current tumor-targeted strategies, drug-release strategies, diagnosis and therapeutic patterns, and also explores newly developed multifunctional nanomaterials and related systems.

This contributed volume emphasizes the potential of stem cells to be pertained in the urology field and attempts to disclose the history of the field up to the latest advances to date. It gathers the majority of papers that advocate utilizing stem cells as the best option for treating, diagnosing, and managing diseases related to urological system. This book covers a broad spectrum of issues, including mesenchymal stem cells, cancer stem cells, organoids, regenerative medicine, erectile dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, and kidney transplant. From several decades ago, as characteristic features of stem cells have been explored, it has attracted a great amount of interests. In view of their multiple capacity of differentiating into various lineages, many studies were conducted to assess their beneficial potential. Despite considerable progress into applying stem cells in animal models, for translating into clinical practices there are several obstacles to be resolved. However, few clinical studies have been performed in each field and outcomes were delightful. There is an ongoing hope for stem cells to someday, be the mainstream treatments of urological diseases, although stem cells treatments already exist they are not well-known. Indeed, this book is essential for anyone who is working with the purpose of employing stem cells to treat the urological diseases and discusses at length the latest advances as well as their limitations.

Lipids are responsible not just for constituting cellular membrane but also for storing energy, transducing signaling, and modifying proteins. Bioactive lipids, or lipid mediators, transduce signaling as intracellular messenger like phosphoinoitides, and also regulate cell-cell communication through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are potentially valuable drug targets in many diseases. Until now, about 40 GPCRs within ~300 rhodopsin-like (class A) GPCRs, are identified as lipid GPCRs. Advances of lipid research have enabled to develop novel small molecules targeting lipid GPCRs for several diseases. Most notably, fingolimod (FTY720), a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, became the first FDA-approved medicine as an orally bioavailable drug for treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition to fingolimod, other drugs targeting lipid GPCRs had been developed such as latanoprost (prostaglandin F2a analogue, used for ocular hypertension and glaucoma), epoprostenol and treprostinil (prostaglandin I2 analogue, used for pulmonary arterial hypertension), montelukast and pranlukast (cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, used for asthma and allergies), etc. Novel drugs are also expected like lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor antagonist for treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Drug development targeting lipid signalling pathways are backdated to more than a century, when aspirin was synthesized and selling by Bayer, while the basic mechanism of aspirin's effects (block prostanoid synthesis by inhibiting cyclooxygenases) had not been discovered until 1970s. Nowadays, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprophen are commonly used as antipyretic analgesics and available readily over-the-counter oral drugs. Both upstream and downstream enzymes, such as phospholipase A2s and prostaglandin E synthases, respectively, are also potential therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases. Recent studies of lipid metabolism expand the lipid biology field from pro-inflammatory lipid mediators to anti-inflammatory epoxy fatty acids (epoxyeicosatrienoic acids), and also omega-3 fatty acid-derived pro-resolving lipid mediators (lipoxin, resolvin, and neuroprotectin). These bioactive lipids, their metabolic pathways and receptors are of great interest in developing next-generation anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving drugs for a wide variety of diseases including. This book summarizes not only historical overview of lipid signaling pathways but also provides summary of cutting-edge studies that may provide some hints of novel “druggable” lipid signaling targets.

This book, written by members of the European network PROTEOSTASIS, provides an up-to-date review of the research regarding protein homeostasis in health and disease. With new discoveries contributing to the increasing complexity of this topic, the book offers a detailed overview of the pathways regulating protein homeostasis, including autophagy and the ubiquitin protein family. Following a basic introduction, it explains how defects in protein homeostasis contribute to numerous pathologies, including cancer, neurodegeneration, inflammation and a number of rare diseases. In addition, it discusses, the role of protein homeostasis in cellular development and physiology. Highlighting the latest research in the field of protein homeostasis and its implications for various clinically relevant diseases, the book appeals to researchers and clinicians, while also offering a reference guide for scholars who are new to the field.

This book discusses the role of genes, oncogenes, anti-oncogenes, free radicals, PUFAs, anti-oxidants, lipid peroxidation process, telomere, and angiogenesis on the origin of cancer, cell proliferation, and cancer in general. It includes a broad introduction to cancer cells; genes, oncogenes, and anti-oncogenes; and free radicals. In later chapters, it discusses in depth the relationship among free radicals, lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidants in cell proliferation. It also discusses aerobic and anaerobic metabolism and their relationship to cancer, as well as the Warburg effect and its potential in the development of new targets for cancer management. Based on these and other evidences, Molecular Biochemical Aspects of Cancer introduces a novel concept that suggests that selective enhancement of free radical generation in tumor cells could form a strategy to induce apoptosis of cancer cells employing bioactive lipids. It presents a new method of treatment ofcancer using in vitro, in vivo and clinical data. This book will interest oncologists, scientists, molecular biologists, life scientists.

Im vorliegenden Band werden nicht-hereditäre Tumorerkrankungen behandelt, deren Häufigkeit zwischen 85% und 95% liegt und damit ungleich höher ist als die der hereditären Tumorerkrankungen. Auch den nicht-hereditären Tumoren liegen Mutationen von DNS-Basenpaaren zugrunde, jedoch ohne Veränderungen der Keimbahn. Der pleiotrope Charakter dieser Erkrankungen erfordert zur Erkennung ihrer Ursachen eine komplizierte Diagnostik. Besonders betroffen sind Organe, die einer Einwirkung von Schadstoffen in besonderem Maße ausgesetzt sind. Diese Belastungen spiegeln sich in den insgesamt 13 Kapiteln dieses Bandes wider. Sie reichen von Hirn-, Brust- und Lungentumoren, über Tumoren der Leber, des Ösophagus und Magens, des Pankreas, des Darmes, der Blase und Niere, der Prostata und der Keimdrüsen bis zu Tumoren der Knochen und Weichteile.

Survivin ist in nahezu allen malignen Tumorerkrankungen überexprimiert und aufgrund seiner dualen Rolle als Apoptose-Inhibitor und Zellzyklus-Regulator an zwei entscheidenden Prozessen der Onkogenese beteiligt. Für die Ausübung beider biologischer Funktionen ist die Interaktion von seinem Kernexportsignal mit dem Exportrezeptor Crm1 essentiell, weshalb die gezielte Inhibition dieser Interaktion einen guten Angriffspunkt für die Krebstherapie darstellt. Lisa Oelschläger analysiert die Effekte supramolekularer Liganden auf die Funktion von Survivin, die mit ihrer hohen Affinität gegenüber oberflächenexponierten Lysin- und Arginin-Seitenketten einen vielversprechenden neuen Ansatz zur gezielten Inhibition der Survivin-Crm1-Interaktion darstellen.

Being a complex disease that affects millions of people world over, cancer research has assumed great significance. Translational cancer research transforms scientific discoveries in the laboratory into clinical application to reduce incidence of cancer, morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, personalized medicine in cancer is the concept that selection of a treatment should be tailored according to the individual patient's specific genomic characteristics, including mutations, chromosomal aberrations, protein interactions, and SNPs, and even more, taking into account the inmume system, the metabolism and maybe in the next future also the microbiome.

This book explains how current medicines against cancer work and how we find new ones. It provides an easy-to-understand overview of current options to treat patients with cancer, which includes Surgery, Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy, Targeted therapy and Immunotherapy. The efficiency of all these treatments is limited by the capacity of cancer cells to escape therapy. This book explains the mechanisms of anti-cancer drug resistance and strategies to overcome it. The discovery and development process of a new drug is detailed beginning with the identification and validation of a therapeutic target, the identification of an inhibitor of the target and its subsequent preclinical and clinical development until its approval by regulatory authorities. Particular emphasis has been given to specific aspects of the development process including lead generation and optimization, pharmacokinetics, ADME analysis, pharmacodynamics, toxicity and efficacy assessment, investigational new drug (IND)and new drug application (NDA) and the design of clinical trial and their phases. The book covers many aspects of modern personalized oncology and discusses economic aspects of our current system of developing new medicines and its impact on our societies and on future drug research. The author of this book, Dr. Link counts with more than 20 years of experience in biomedical research reflected in numerous publications, patents and key note and plenary presentations at international conferences. Interested readers, students and teachers should read this book as it provides a unique way to learn/teach about basic concepts in oncology and anti-cancer drug research.

This book presents a state-of-the-art report on recent advances concerning Ganoderma and where the field is going. Although some older work is also cited, the main focus is on advances made over the past 20 years in the research history, classification, chemical components and industry of Ganoderma. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) has been used as a traditional medicine in Asian countries to maintain health and to treat diseases for more than two thousand years. Recently, its value has been demonstrated in preventing and treating certain diseases, such as tumors, liver disorders, renal injury, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, cerebral ischemia reperfusion, bronchitis etc. In addition, laboratory and clinical studies have confirmed that the chemical components of Ganoderma, such as Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptides and triterpenes isolated from the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum, produce diverse pharmacological effects. Ganoderma and its components play an important partin antioxidant stress, radical-scavenging, immunomodulation, and intracellular signaling regulation, and accordingly warrant further study. This book systematically reviews the latest advances in our understanding of Ganoderma's basic knowledge, history of modern research, species, cultivation, components, spore polysaccharide and industry of Ganoderma, and offers researchers and graduate students valuable new insights into the development and clinical applications of Ganoderma and related products.

This exhaustive work shows that new therapies using anti-angiogenic drugs are of particular importance because they can be used against many different types of cancer, as tumor angiogenesis seems to be involved in most if not all solid metastasizing malignancies. The first part of this book summarizes the knowledge acquired on the molecular entities that play a role in tumor angiogenesis and their mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the identification of molecular markers and their validation as predictive and/or prognostic tools is reviewed. In the second and most important part, the clinical applications of anti-angiogenic treatments are documented for a wide variety of tumors. In particular, the modes of combination with other targeted and/or cytotoxic cancer therapies are presented.​

This book represents an up-dated summary of the state of the art of the characterization of cancer stem cell/ cancer initiating cell (CSC/CIC) properties. An overview of the definition and biological properties of CSCs/CICs as well as the role of these cells in determining the resistance to standard and immune-based therapies is provided. It also discusses limitations in the achievement of a definitive biological characterization of CSCs/CICs due to their high extent of plasticity and heterogeneity that is also mutually driven by the interaction of these cells with the tumor microenvironment. The limitations in targeting CSCs/CICs with immunotherapy are also explained together with explorative combination approaches that could increase the susceptibility of these cells to the recognition by immune cells. This book is conceived for a broad audience, including students, teachers, scientific experts. The critical revision of available results in terms of immunological profile of CSCs/CICs and the efficacy in targeting these cells by immunological approaches, results in a comprehensive and up to date recapitulation of the field and provides interesting suggestions on how to focus future investigations in order to assess the role of CSCs/CICs as prognostic and predictive biomarkers of responsiveness to therapies for cancer patients.

This book gathers multidisciplinary articles that present advances of our understanding of diseases and the effective treatment of patients. The authors share recent clinical and experimental research findings, highlighting poorly understood areas with uncertain treatment outcomes, such as giant-cell bone tumors and their propensity to metastasize to the lungs; subterranean rehabilitation in pulmonary disorders; male reproductive hormone regulation during physical exercise in hyperbaric, hyperoxic environments, like underwater diving; and amelioration of cognitive decline owing to increased cerebral blood transit time after internal carotid artery stenting. Other topics include new concepts and innovations in the treatment of diabetes in pregnancy, and leg ulcers in chronic venous insufficiency, as well as molecular research on the toxic effects of oxidative stress, impaired cell autophagy, and experimental conditions resembling air pollution. Featuring the latest interdisciplinary advances in biomedicine, this book is a valuable resource for medical professionals, both academics and practitioners, and all allied health-care workers.

The present book is an attempt to provide a detailed review of studies that clarify our current understanding of the role of hypoxia in the progression of primary cancer to metastatic disease. It will enable researchers to discover the critical cellular changes that occur under hypoxic conditions and play a role in metastatic dissemination, from the activation of hypoxia-inducible factors, HIF-1 and HIF-2, to the transcriptional profile changes that occur in cancer cells and promote cancer cell survival under detrimental conditions. Readers will discover the methods and challenges involved in imaging and quantifying the degree of hypoxia in a primary tumor. We will provide an understanding of the hypoxia-induced phenotypes that influence heterogeneity, alter the secretome and tumor microenvironment, modify cellular metabolism, and promote immune suppression and resistance to chemotherapy. Finally, we will uncover the therapeutic strategies that are being devised to target the hypoxic microenvironment in the hopes of preventing metastasis and improving the efficacy of standard-of-care cancer treatments. This work is an up to date source of information on the challenges and complexity of the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Basic and translational scientists, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and those interested in how tumors metastasize will find this book a reference that details how hypoxia influences metastatic disease.

This book is about the various roles of bioactive ceramides and other sphingolipids in cellular biology. The enigmatic biophysical and biochemical properties of ceramides and their propensity to influence membranes whether as rafts or protein-permeable channels are heavily discussed. Metabolism of ceramides and their metabolites is also focused with ceramide synthase family of proteins being a target of extensive review. Ceramide 1-phosphate and other sphingolipids are also presented in cellular physiology and pathophysiology. Prokaryotic origins of mitochondria at the level of membranes and the occurrence of apoptosis in bacteria are presented. Many aspects of ceramide and sphingolipid biology are addressed in this book. Its focus is the metabolism of ceramide in normal and diseased states and the biophysical and biochemical mechanisms governing the bioactivity of these molecules. Sphingolipid research has surged over the past thirty years and this book gathers the recent findings of various aspects of sphingolipid biochemistry. World-renowned scientists from the field of lipid biology, specifically sphingolipid biochemistry, were gathered to write this book. Scholars from most continents of the globe committed to write diligently about their expertise and the newest findings in the relevant fields. This book came to fruition after almost a year and a half of laborious preparation and diligent writings. This book is targeted to the experienced reader who is looking to read about the various aspects of bioactive ceramide signaling, as well as to the newcomer into the field, as the topics are explained in concise yet very informative manner. The authors and editor wish all readers a pleasant time reading this volume, and are adamant that this book will meet all expectations.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Recent years have increased significantly our understanding of the genetic alterations that can underlie CRC, but also unraveled the molecular heterogeneity of the disease. Although a simple correlation between genetic pathways, histopathological features and clinical outcome cannot be established, the heterogeneity of CRC is also an opportunity for the development of targeted therapeutic approaches, able to treat an individual tumor with higher efficiency and less toxic side effects. One CRC subtype is characterized by high mutation rates (MSI-H), DNA methylation changes (CIMP-H), mutation in the BRAF oncogene and occurrence of serrated adenomas in the proximal colon. Other groups prevail in the distal colon and consist of either adenomatous polyps with chromosomal aberrations (CIN) and WNT pathway activation, or carry frequent KRAS mutation and metabolic deregulation, or have strong mesenchymal andinfiltrative characteristics. Characterization of driver-mutation events in these CRC subgroups has led to the development of specific drugs targeting, for example, the MAPK pathway, but initial clinical trials have revealed unexpected response rates. The collection of chapters in this volume address the biology of specific CRC subtypes and how these may be targeted to improve precision therapy and clinical benefit for the patients.

This book provides practical guidance on all aspects of reverse phase protein array (RPPA) technology, which permits the quantification of protein levels in cell or tissue lysates. In addition, the latest results are presented from laboratories across the world where experts are successfully running the challenging RPPA data platform. After an introductory chapter by the inventor of the RPPA technique, the demanding task of lysate preparation is explained. Subsequent chapters review printing platforms and analytical platforms and discuss antibody screening in detail. The role of RPPA data in integrative analyses is thoroughly examined, and the various applications of RPPA, for example to identify molecular targeting drugs or evaluate cancer drug efficacy, are discussed with reference to the latest knowledge. It is hoped that the book will foster the implementation of RPPA by documenting the practical details of the technology and by revealing its great potential. It will be of high value for researchers who plan to build an RPPA platform in their institute and for researchers, clinicians, and companies who use RPPA through collaboration with an existing RPPA facility.

This book presents a state-of-the-art report on recent advances concerning Ganoderma and where the field is going. Although some older work is also cited, the main focus is on advances made over the past 20 years in the pharmacology and clinical applications of Ganoderma.Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) has been used as a traditional medicine in Asian countries to maintain health and to treat diseases for more than two thousand years. Recently, its value has been demonstrated in preventing and treating certain diseases, such as tumors, liver disorders, renal injury, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, cerebral ischemia reperfusion, bronchitis etc. In addition, laboratory and clinical studies have confirmed that the chemical components of Ganoderma, such as Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptides and triterpenes isolated from the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum, produce diverse pharmacological effects. Ganoderma and its components play an important part in antioxidant stress, radical-scavenging, immunomodulation, and intracellular signaling regulation, and accordingly warrant further study. This book systematically reviews the latest advances in our understanding of pharmacology and clinical applications of Ganoderma, and offers researchers and graduate students valuable new insights into the pharmacology and clinical applications of Ganoderma and related products.

The Organizing Committee of the 15th International Conference on Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation and Related Diseases compiled a group of junior investigators to provide reviews on the topics they presented at the Puerto Vallarta Bioactive Lipids conference, as part of the book series, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (AEMB). The book in this series will be titled Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation and Related Diseases. Topics range from all classes of lipids including prostaglandins, resolvins, spingolipids, P450-derived lipids, endocannabanoids and phospholipids. The focus includes physiology, cell biology, and structural studies in organisms from bacteria to humans and how these studies addressed the role of lipids in various disease i.e. cancer, inflammation, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and others.

This book contextualizes translational research and provides an up to date progress report on therapies that are currently being targeted in lung cancer. It is now well established that there is tremendous heterogeneity among cancer cells both at the inter- and intra-tumoral level. Further, a growing body of work highlights the importance of targeted therapies and personalized medicine in treating cancer patients. In contrast to conventional therapies that are typically administered to the average patient regardless of the patient's genotype, targeted therapies are tailored to patients with specific traits. Nonetheless, such genetic changes can be disease-specific and/or target specific; thus, the book addresses these issues manifested in the somatically acquired genetic changes of the targeted gene. Each chapter is written by a leading medical oncologist who specializes in thoracic oncology and is devoted to a particular target in a specific indication. Contributors provide an in-depth review of the literature covering the mechanisms underlying signaling, potential cross talk between the target and downstream signaling, and potential emergence of drug resistance.

This book focuses on issues in clinical practice and research that are of general interest. The articles primarily focus on understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases, their prevention, and therapy. The topics addressed include cardiovascular regulation with regard to blood pressure and heart rate variability, and to coupling blood pressure changes with subarachnoid fluid oscillations. In addition, the book discusses recent advances in the diagnostics of and targeted molecular therapy for renal and pancreatic malignancies, growth disorders, vitamin D and calcium homeostasis in children in the context of neonatal urolithiasis, and neurosurgical interventions in multifarious age-related diseases of the vertebrae. Neuropsychological aspects of patients'quality of life and of shaping medical staff's attitude toward patients are also addressed. The respective articles are intended to build a bridge between basic and clinical research. Further, the book enhancesthe current body of knowledge on diagnostics and patient treatment and offers valuable new perspectives on practical clinical issues. As such, it offers a unique resource for clinicians, family physicians, medical scholars, and professionals engaged in patient management.

This textbook provides a structured, easy to understand and thorough insight into the mode of function of plant secondary metabolites in plants and humans. It explains the biosynthesis and molecular action of nicotine, cannabis, caffeine and Co, describes the effects of these drugs on signal transduction at receptors and ion channels in animals, their relevance for human health and their potential for recreational use and abuse. It also offers a broad and comprehensive understanding on the role and function of these diverse molecules for the plants that make them. This textbook is written for master students and scientist in biochemistry and biology as well as for pharmaceutical and medical students. It will be a valuable study tool for teachers and students alike.

This book reviews recent work on molecular chaperones of the prefoldin family from their discovery in Archaea to the basic clarification of their structure. Even though, there is still a lot to investigate in order to understand the roles and functions of prefoldins, some preliminary work suggests their contribution in assembly and activation of a variety of macromolecular complexes. Hence, the reader is introduced to recent structural findings via cryo-electron microscopy and to the importance of this particular group of proteins in health and disease. This book also discusses the particular structure of the URI prefoldin-like complex. In addition, recent developments in the generation of URI mouse models speculate on the functions and emerging roles of the URI prefoldin-like complex in various cellular processes. This novel protein complex represents a unique cellular machinery, which molecular basis of its activity still remains to be determined.This work is thus a guide to help researchers in the field to have a more comprehensive and critical view of the prefoldin world.

Based on 30 years of clinical and research experience, backed by a careful assessment of four decades of published data, Dr. Faguet documented in The War on Cancer (Springer 2005), early advances in cancer treatment and patient survival that soon stalled. Ten years later and after an exhaustive analysis of evidence-based data available through 2013 that incorporates 755 references, he reveals the root causes of the stagnation in cancer control, including the role played by major stakeholders and advocates a coordinated national effort, akin to the Apollo program, to unveil the causes of cancer and their mastery. In the interim, Dr. Faguet urges caregivers to manage patients according to the four ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, respect for patients'autonomy and justice especially at the end of life.

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 potential of cancer stem cells in the development of novel and innovative tools for the treatment of metastatic tumors. This book aims to offer a broad framework for obtaining insight into the state-of-the-art knowledge on cancer stem cell biology and highlight the therapeutic implications of these cells in the future of clinical oncology.

WT1 is a DNA Binding Protein Containing Four C2H2 Zinc Fingers.............................................. 89 The DNA Binding Domain ofWT1 ··············································~··· 90 WT1 Inhibits Tag and SV40 Origin Dependent Replication......................................................... 97 WT1 is an Unusual C2H2 Zinc Finger Protein.................................. 98 WT1 is a Transcriptional Regulator.................................................... 99 Possible Downstream Targets ofWT1 Transcriptional Regulation... 103 Protein-Protein Interactions Involving WT1..................................... 104 Other Factors that May Contribute to or Modify the Cellular Function ofWT1.................................. 104 WT1 and Apoptosis.......................................................................... 106 Conclusion........................................................................................ 107 7. Naturally Occurring Mutations in the WTJ Gene.................. 113 Introduction..................................................................................... 113 WTI Mutations in Wilms Tumor..................................................... 114 Analysis of WTI Mutations in Tumors Other than Wilms Tumor... 122 Constitutional WTI Mutations and the Denys-Drash Syndrome...... 125 Conclusion........................................................................................ 131 8. Other Loci Implicated in Wtlms Tumor................................. 137 Introduction..................................................................................... 137 Nephrogenic Rests, WTI Mutations and Wilms Tumor................... 137 Undetectable WTI Mutations........................................................... 138 Wilms Tumor and WITI.................................................................. 140 Loss of Heterozygosity for Chromosome 1 p and 16q........................ 141 Wilms Tumor and Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome........................ 141 Wilms Tumor and Perlman Syndrome............................................. 144 Imprinting, IGF/l, HI9 and Wilms Tumor...................................... 144 Wilms Tumor and Li-F raumeni Syndrome....................................... 149 Familial Wilms Tumor..................................................................... 149 Wilms Tumorand Other Disease Associations................................. 150 Conclusion........................................................................................ 150 Index.............................................................................

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 and other transcription factors. Replacement of the p53 function or restoration of the p53 biochemical pathway is a focus of gene therapy.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis is the central methodology in proteome research, and the state of the art is described in detail in this text, together with extensive coverage of the detection methods available. Sufficient detail is given to allow the readers to apply these technologies to their own particular requirements.

Der vorliegende Band bietet eine umfassende Übersicht über hämatologische Neoplasien, ihre molekularmedizinischen Ursachen und deren Einfluss auf Diagnose und Therapie. Folgende Themenbereiche werden behandelt: 1. Hereditäre Erkrankungen mit erhöhtem Risiko für hämatologische Neoplasien 2. Molekularbiologie sporadischer hämatologischer Neoplasien 3. Sporadische Leukämien 4. Sporadische Lymphome

A large proportion of cancers is preventable. External factors, discovered by epidemiological studies during the last 50 years, account for a majority of all cancer deaths. However, still rather little is known, about how environmental and genetic factors interact, how they may regulate gene activation etc. And it is a long way from the discovery of a basic regulatory mechanism to practical patient treatment. This volume describes the present state of the art in carcinogenesis, possibilities for cancer prevention, and gives genetic background in cancer development. Attention is given to the host-environment interaction, considering how this interaction may lead to cancer formation and how it can be utilised in cancer prevention. The molecular basis for cancer development and the molecular basis for prevention are described.

This book meets the demand of a recent surge of interest in germinal centers, the foci of antigen-induced, rapidly proliferating B lymphocytes, representing sites in mammalian lymphoid tissue where memory B cells are generated. Various aspects of the generation of germinal centers, the somatic hypermutation process and the cellular interactions involved in the selection process are discussed in detail. A chapter on germinal center-derived lymphomas completes the treatment.

Durch den molekularbiologischen Erkenntnisfortschritt und die damit zusammenhängenden Methodenentwicklungen sowie die kürzlich gelungene Entschlüsselung des menschlichen Genoms ergeben sich auch für die Krebsforschung und insbesondere für die Früherkennung hereditärer Tumore durch eine umfassende Gendiagnostik neue Möglichkeiten für die Erfassung von genetischen Risikofaktoren, die zur Krebsentstehung prädisponieren. In 19 Kapiteln werden von ausgewiesenen Experten die heute erkennbaren molekularen Ursachen von hereditären Krebserkrankungen dargestellt. Die Themen reichen von malignen Veränderungen des Auges, der Haut und der Brust bis zu Tumorerkrankungen der Bauchspeicheldrüse, der Niere und der Prostata. In 5 Kapiteln werden gastrointestinale Erkrankungen in einem gesonderten Abschnitt beschrieben.

Cancer cachexia is a complex syndrome characterized by diminished nutrient intake and progressive tissue depletion manifest clinically as anorexia and weight loss. This review examines the basic research that has addressed the fundamental derangements in host intermediary protein metabolism and evaluates current therapeutic approaches to the management of cancer cachexia. This volume provides a new approach as well as a comprehensive review of current basic and clinical research.

Advances in genetics, molecular biology and gene delivery technologies in recent years have led to new gene therapy strategies for treatment of a variety of diseases. This book gives a comprehensive overview of the present status and future directions of gene delivery systems and therapeutic strategies for the clinical application of gene therapy in cancer, cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases. Stem cell-based therapies and gene expression regulatory systems as novel platform technologies for various gene therapy applications are also discussed. Leading experts give excellent overviews of basic molecular aspects and clinical applications in this new emerging biomedical field.