Transforming Growth Factor-Beta in Cancer Therapy, Volume II: Cancer Treatment and Therapy (Cancer Drug Discovery and Development)

Transforming Growth Factor- ß in Cancer Therapy, Vols. 1 and 2, provides a compendium of findings about the role of transforming growth factor- ß (TGF- ß) in cancer treatment and therapy. The second volume, Cancer Treatment in Therapy, is divided into three parts. The companion volume details the role of TGF- ß on basic and clinical biology. Transforming Growth Factor-B in Cancer Therapy, Volume II: Cancer Treatment and Therapy The chapters in this volume confer an abundance of knowledge about the current state ofour understanding oftransforming growth factor-B (TGF-B) in cancer treatment and therapy. Unlike several more traditional positive polypeptide growth factors that stim­ ulate cellular proliferation, the prototypical TGF-B is now known to inhibit the growth of most normal cell types, including those of epithelial and mesenchymal origin. However, there are examplesofcell types that can be stimulated by TGF-B under certain conditions. TGF-B also induces the accumulation of matrix molecules by stimulating their synthesis as well as inhibiting their degradation. Moreover, TGF-B induces apoptosis of certain cell types, thereby restricting their proliferation. OveractivityofTGF-~ has been linked to several diseases. For instance, the effect ofTGF-~ on matrix accumulation contributes to fibrotic conditions, like glomerulonephritis, lung fibrosis and liver cirrhosis (1). TGF-~ has a very complicated role in cancer that is only beginning to be understood. Transforming Growth Factor- A in Cancer Therapy, Vols. 1 and 2, provides a compendium of findings about the role of transforming growth factor- A (TGF- A) in cancer treatment and therapy. The first volume, Basic and Clinical Biology, is divided into three parts. Part I presents basic concepts of transforming growth factor- A signaling in normal physiology and cancer pathobiology. Part II investigates transforming growth factor- A superfamily members in normal and tumor biology. The final part details transforming growth factor- A in inflammation and fibrosis. This volumea (TM)s companion, Cancer Treatment in Therapy, examines transforming growth factor- A in other developing and advanced cancers and methods of treatment and therapy. Together, Transforming Growth Factor- A in Cancer Therapy, Vols. 1 and 2, provide researchers and clinicians a comprehensive and cutting-edge reference for the findings about the role of transforming growth factor- A in biology and cancer treatment V. 1. Basic And Clinical Biology -- V. 2. Cancer Treatment And Therapy. Edited By Sonia Jakowlew. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.