Signal Transduction in Cancer (Cancer Treatment and Research Book 115)

One of the most exciting areas of cancer research now is the development of agents which can target signal transduction pathways that are activated inappropriately in malignant cells. The understanding of the molecular abnormalities which distinguish malignant cells from their normal counterparts has grown tremendously. This volume summarizes the current research on the role that signal transduction pathways play in the pathogenesis of cancer and how this knowledge may be used to develop the next generation of more effective and less toxic anticancer agents. Series Editor comments: "The biologic behavior of both normal and cancer cells is determined by critical signal transduction pathways. This text provides a comprehensive review of the field. Leading investigators discuss key molecules that may prove to be important diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets." This book summarizes current research on the role of signal transduction pathways in cancer and its implications for the development of more effective anticancer agents. Material is divided into four sections reflecting physiological groupings, focusing on receptors at the cell surface, intracellular signaling cascades, transcription factors functioning in the nucleus, and pathways triggering programs of cell death. Some specific topics include cell death signaling in malignancy and steroid hormone receptor signaling in cancer. Frank is affiliated with Harvard Medical School. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Cancers possess two cardinal features, dysregulated growth and invasiveness or the ability to metastasize.