This book provides an overview of the fundamentals of tumor biology and the influence of various biologic factors, including inhomogeneity of cancer cells, microenvironment, and host factors, on the design of therapeutic strategies and the outcome of established and emerging treatments. Particular attention is devoted to multidisciplinary combined modality therapy. The topics reviewed include tumorigenesis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, physiology of malignant tissues, adhesion and invasion, development of metastases, and the role of the immune system in cancer development. Subsequent chapters focus on cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. The principles of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and molecularly targeted therapy are discussed, treatment resistance is explained, and strategies for rational combinations are provided, including the design of translational studies. Furthermore, the principles and clinical implications of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, such as gene expression profiling, gene transfer and silencing, proteomics, and molecular imaging, are presented. The chapters in this book have been written by an outstanding group of basic scientists, clinical researchers, and cancer professionals with long experience in the field. Their aim is to educate and inspire all those who devote most of their work to research into cancer and its treatment.
From the reviews:
"The stated aim of the editors of this book is 'to provide the practising radiation oncologist with a concise overview of the most important and up-to-date information pertaining to tumour biology as it impacts on cancer treatment' ? useful guide to the molecular era of cancer biology and personalised cancer therapy, particularly in relation to radiation oncology. ? The book would be of interest to any oncologist and would serve as a useful revision tool for the FRCR part 1 examination." (Joe O'Sullivan, RAD Magazine, December, 2009)
Aus den Rezensionen:
"Dieses umfassende Lehrbuch erläutert alle wesentlichen Gesichtspunkte der Tumorbiologie ... Die Literaturhinweise sind umfangreich, vollständig und aktuell, sofern dies in einem Lehrbuch überhaupt möglich ist. Die Autoren sind international ausgewiesene Grundlagenwissenschaftler und klinische Krebsforscher. Die Kapitel weisen ein qualitativ hochwertiges Layout mit zahlreichen, durchgehend farbigen Bildern auf und sind gut lesbar. Das Buch stellt eine wesentliche Bereicherung der tumorbiologischen Literatur dar. Wir empfehlen es als aktuelles radiobiologisches Standardwerk." (Stephan Roth, in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie, 1/December/2009, S. 844)
