Molecular Biology of Cancer

Molecular Biology of Cancer: Mechanisms, Targets, and Therapeutics offers an accessible, engaging, and optimistic account of cancer biology for undergraduate and graduate students.

Using the hallmarks of cancer as a starting point, the book looks at the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning the transformation of cells into cancer cells. After discussing the theory, each chapter then demonstrates how this knowledge can be directly applied to the development of new targeted therapies, giving the reader a clear appreciation of how the theory translates to tackling the disease.

Drawing on the latest research in this dynamic field, the author makes cutting edge science readily accessible. The book features a variety of learning features - 'Pause and think', 'How do we know that?', self-tests and activities - to help students engage with, and master, the concepts presented. The emphasis is not on exhaustive coverage of the subject to the point of overwhelming with detail, but on acquiring a solid understanding of the essentials and an appreciation of how a theoretical understanding can be transformed into therapeutic benefit.

Online Resource Centre

The Online Resource Centre features:

For registered adopters of the book:
- Figures from the book, ready to download.
- A test bank of multiple choice questions, with feedback linked to the book.

For students:
- Web links to a range of additional cancer biology resources on the internet.

Table of Contents

1: Introduction
2: DNA structure and stability: mutations versus repair
3: Regulation of gene expression
4: Growth factor signaling and oncogenes
5: The cell cycle
6: Growth inhibition and tumor suppressor genes
7: Apoptosis
8: Stem cells and consequences of blocked differentiation
9: Metastasis
10: Angiogenesis
11: Nutrients, hormones, and gene interactions
12: Tumour immunology and immunotherapy
13: Infectious agents and inflammation
14: New technologies and drug development

Lauren Pecorino, Principal Lecturer in Cancer Biology, University of Greenwich

Dr Lauren Pecorino obtained her PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, USA. She then moved to London to carry out a post-doctoral tenure at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research where she studied the phenomenon of limb regeneration. Here she used a technique called biolistics, using a 'gene gun' to shoot gold bullets coated with DNA to introduce genes into the regenerating limbs of live newts. Since 1996, Lauren has been a member of academic staff at the University of Greenwich, where she developed her interest in teaching Cancer Biology.