New Approaches In Cancer Pharmacology: Drug Design And Development: Vol. Ii (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. 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 1-4 Experimental Models to Investigate Novel Anticancer Drugs....Pages 5-10 Principles in the Design of DNA-Interactive Molecules....Pages 11-22 Discovery of Improved Platinum Analogues....Pages 23-37 Pharmacological Intervention with Signal Transduction....Pages 39-54 Discovery and Design of Inhibitors of Oncogenic Tyrosine Kinases....Pages 55-70 Apoptosis and Cancer Therapy....Pages 71-85 Engineering Antibodies for Targeted Cancer Therapy....Pages 87-97