It has become clear that tumors result from excessive cell proliferation and a corresponding reduction in cell death caused by the successive accumulation of mutations in key regulatory target genes over time. During the 1980s, a number of oncogenes were characterized, whereas from the 1990s to the present, the emp- sis has shifted to tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). It has become clear that oncogenes and TSGs function in the same pathways, providing positive and negative growth regulatory activities. The signaling pathways controlled by these genes involve virtually every process in cell biology, including nuclear events, cell cycle, cell death, cytoskeletal, cell membrane, angiogenesis, and cell adhesion effects. Mu- tions in tumor suppressor genes have been identified in familial cancer syndromes, and the same genes in many cases have been found to be mutationally inactivated in sporadically occurring cancers. In their normal state, TSGs control cancer development and progression, as well as contribute to the sensitivity of cancers to a variety of therapeutics. Understanding the classes of TSGs, the biochemical pa- ways they function in, and how they are regulated provides an essential lesson in cancer biology. We cannot hope to advance our current knowledge and to develop new and more effective therapies without understanding the relevant pathways and how they influence the present approaches to therapy. Moreover, it is important to be able to access not only the powerful tools now available to discover these genes, but also their links to cell biology and growth control.
Powerful new tools are now available to discover and understand tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) and the biochemical mechanisms by which they control cancer development and progression. In Tumor Suppressor Genes, Volume 2: Regulation, Function, and Medicinal Applications, leading physician scientists and researchers explore the cell biology and biochemical function of the tumor suppressor genes, as well as their physiological role in vivo. The authors detail the physical methods-NMR, microarray approaches, posttranslational structure analysis, analysis of regulation at the gene expression and protein signaling levels-used to understand the function of tumor suppressor genes. In vivo approaches discussed include studies in yeast, Drosophila, mice, and human tumors. The authors also discuss how one ultimately derives a "tumor progression model," the drug discovery process, and the weaknesses of cancers that allow drugs to selectively kill them. Other aspects reviewed include screening strategies, targeting the blood supply of tumors, and the replacement of defective cancer genes to achieve a therapeutic effect. The companion volume of this set, Tumor Suppressor Genes, Volume 1: Pathways and Isolation Strategies, covers all known tumor suppressor genes, describing their cellular signaling pathways, how they were discovered, how they can be analyzed, and how they can be optimally used in cancer therapeutics
Comprehensive and authoritative, the two volumes of Tumor Suppressor Genes provide an unparalleled compilation of key data on all known tumor suppressor pathways and a treasury of techniques for their discovery, analysis, and uses in cancer therapeutics.
"The book will prove a great help to everybody who would like to enter the field of experimental and or clinical research. Those who are interested in basic understanding microbiology of cancer will enjoy this as well." -Neoplasma
