Molecular Aspects of Cancer and Its Therapy

This book highlights recent progress in the molecular, cellular and immunological mechanisms that contribute to the pathophysiology of cancer and the design of therapeutic modalities based upon these molecular insights. Areas of particular emphasis include cancer immunology and the immunotherapy of cancer, the role of cytokines in modulating the social bahaviour of cancer cells, the genetic alterations that characterize human cancer and metastasis, and a consideration of the more experimental approaches to cancer therapy, including gene therapy using expression vectors for cytokines and their receptors, antisense RNA therapy, and anti-idiotypic antibody immunization. This volume serves to introduce the general reader as well as the cancer specialist to personalized perspectives of particular topics in cancer research by leading research groups in the field. The combination of a ''reviews''-approach with a more research-oriented approach in discussions of specific research topics provides a stimulating and, hopefully, forward-looking volume which serves to update selected aspects of cancer research today. This combination will be useful to both the beginner as well as the more advanced biomedical scientist.