New Approaches In Cancer Pharmacology: Drug Design And Development (eso Monographs)

The European School of Oncology came into existence to respond to a need for information, education and training in the field of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. There are two main reasons why such an initiative was considered necessary. Firstly, the teaching of oncology requires a rigorously multidisciplinary approach which is difficult for the Universities to put into practice since their system is mainly disciplinary orientated. Secondly, the rate of technological development that impinges on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been so rapid that it is not an easy task for medical faculties to adapt their curricula flexibly. With its residential courses for organ pathologies and the seminars on new techniques (laser, monoclonal antibodies, imaging techniques etc.) or on the principal therapeutic controversies (conservative or mutilating surgery, primary or adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy alone or integrated), it is the ambition of the European School of Oncology to fill a cultural and scientific gap and, thereby, create a bridge between the University and Industry and between these two and daily medical practice. One of the more recent initiatives of ESO has been the institution of permanent study groups, also called task forces, where a limited number of leading experts are invited to meet once a year with the aim of defining the state of the art and possibly reaching a consensus on future developments in specific fields of oncology. This monograph is the first of two dealing with selected topics in the area of the design and development of new anticancer drugs. Its purpose is to present a collection of opinions from international experts in the field, with the aim of stimulating the further development of new drugs on a rational basis. The topic is treated in a lively way. The reviews focus on the very latest developments in key areas, concentrating on the exciting developments, controversies and future trends. They are not long histrical reviews, but nevertheless do provide the appropriate background and references. However, emphasis is on the state of the art. In this respect the approach is quite different from other books in the area. Readers, including particularly scientists and doctors interested in cancer drug, will find this useful as an up to date source of current opinion and debate. It will be suitable for experts in the field, but also accessible to research students for example. They should find it a valuable reference for the latest developments and particularly the controversial areas in the field. It is designed to promote and encourage further debate and to influence the research community. The particular topics covered are: DNA sequence and gene specific drugs - Antisense and antigene oligonucleotides targeted to oncogenes - Prospects of biological and gene therapies - Membrane and signal transduction targets - Design of novel anti-endocrine agents -Therapeutic monitoring and dose optimization in oncology - Screening for new anti-tumour drugs The development of new drugs for the treatment of cancer is both medically important and scientifically challenging. The monograph looks at some of the most exciting prospects, e.g., future clinical trials, new biological discoveries, and advances in molecular biology. This volume will be of interest to laboratory scientists in the academic sector and the pharmaceutical industry, as well as to medical profes- sionals. The particular topics covered are: Experimental models to investigate novel anticancer drugs - Principles in the design of DNA-interactive molecules - Discovery of improved platinum analogues - Pharmacological intervention with signal transduction - Discovery and design of inhibi- tors of oncogenic tyrosine kinases - Apoptosis and cancer therapy - Engineering antibodies for targeted cancer therapy Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-3 Sequence and Gene-Specific Drugs....Pages 5-11 Antisense and Antigene Oligonucleotides Targeted to Oncogenes....Pages 13-24 Prospects for Biological and Gene Therapies....Pages 25-32 Membrane and Signal Transduction Targets....Pages 33-46 Design of Novel Anti-Endocrine Agents....Pages 47-62 Design of Novel Bioreductive Drugs....Pages 63-74 Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Dose Optimisation in Oncology....Pages 75-91 Current Strategies in Anticancer Drug Discovery Within the EORTC....Pages 93-103