"Members of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) family, which include activins and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), are essential intercellular signaling molecules that control of cell proliferation and embryonic development. This book provides a comprehensive view of the different members of the TGFβ family and their receptors, as well as their roles in normal physiology and development and pathological conditions such as cancer"--

This comprehensive encyclopedic reference provides rapid access to focused information on topics of cancer research for clinicians, research scientists and advanced students. Given the overwhelming success of the first edition, which appeared in 2001, and fast development in the different fields of cancer research, it has been decided to publish a second fully revised and expanded edition. With an A-Z format of over 7,000 entries, more than 1,000 contributing authors provide a complete reference to cancer. The merging of different basic and clinical scientific disciplines towards the common goal of fighting cancer makes such a comprehensive reference source all the more timely.

Cancer and Noncoding RNAs offers an in-depth exploration of noncoding RNAs and their role in epigenetic regulation of complex human disease, most notably cancer. In addition to examining microRNAs, this volume provides a unique evaluation of more recently profiled noncoding RNAs now implicated in carcinogenesis, including lncRNAs, piRNAs, circRNAs, and tRNAs, identifying differences in function between these noncoding RNAs and how they interact with the rest of the epigenome. A broad range of chapters from experts in the field detail epigenetic regulation of various cancer types, along with recent next generation sequencing technologies, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and bioinformatics approaches. This book will help researchers in genomic medicine and cancer biology better understand the role of noncoding RNAs in epigenetics, aiding in the development of useful biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and new RNA-based disease therapies. - Provides a comprehensive analysis of noncoding RNAs implicated in epigenetic regulation of gene expression and chromatin dynamics - Educates researchers and graduate students by highlighting, in addition to miRNAs, a range of noncoding RNAs newly associated with carcinogenesis - Applies current knowledge of noncoding RNAs and epigenomics towards developing cancer and RNA-based disease therapies - Features contributions by leading experts in the field

Epigenetic Cancer Therapy unites issues central to a translational audience actively seeking to understand the topic. It is ideal for cancer specialists, including oncologists and clinicians, but also provides valuable information for researchers, academics, students, governments, and decision-makers in the healthcare sector. The text covers the basic background of the epigenome, aberrant epigenetics, and its potential as a target for cancer therapy, and includes individual chapters on the state of epigenome knowledge in specific cancers (including lung, breast, prostate, liver). The book encompasses both large-scale intergovernmental initiatives as well as recent findings across cancer stem cells, rational drug design, clinical trials, and chemopreventative strategies. As a whole, the work articulates and raises the profile of epigenetics as a therapeutic option in the future management of cancer. - Concisely summarizes the therapeutic implications of recent, large-scale epigenome studies, including the cancer epigenome atlas - Discusses targeted isoform specific versus pan-specific inhibitors, a rational drug design approach to epigenetics relevant to pharmacoepigenetic clinical applications - Covers new findings in the interplay between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and drug resistance, demonstrating that epigenetic machinery is a candidate target for the eradication of these CSCs

This book is devoted to innovative medicine, comprising the proceedings of the Uehara Memorial Foundation Symposium 2014. It remains extremely rare for the findings of basic research to be developed into clinical applications, and it takes a long time for the process to be achieved. The task of advancing the development of basic research into clinical reality lies with translational science, yet the field seems to struggle to find a way to move forward. To create innovative medical technology, many steps need to be taken: development and analysis of optimal animal models of human diseases, elucidation of genomic and epidemiological data, and establishment of “proof of concept”. There is also considerable demand for progress in drug research, new surgical procedures, and new clinical devices and equipment. While the original research target may be rare diseases, it is also important to apply those findings more broadly to common diseases. The book covers a wide range of topics and is organized into three complementary parts. The first part is basic research for innovative medicine, the second is translational research for innovative medicine, and the third is new technology for innovative medicine. This book helps to understand innovative medicine and to make progress in its realization.

This is the first comprehensive book on Smad signal transduction. Forward looking reviews of Smads are provided in a series of 22 cutting-edge chapters. The book is written for an audience with basic understanding of molecular and cell biology. This volume provides an in-depth review of a rapidly developing field and extensive cross-references between chapters are provided.

Gliomas, developing in the brain from the transformed glial cells, are a very special kind of tumor, extremely refractory to conventional treatments. Therefore, for the development of new antitumor strategies, a better understanding of molecular mechanisms responsible for their biology, growth and invasion is still needed. This book is a reference on cellular signaling processes regulating gliomas physiology and invasiveness. The work is focused on the mechanism of nucleotide receptor activation by exogenous nucleotides and formation of complex signaling cascades induced by growth factors, cytokines and cannabinoids. The second edition of the book enriched in new chapters provides a framework explaining how signal transduction elements may modulate numerous genetic and epigenetic alterations, describes the role of local microenvironment in cellular growth, progression and invasion and, in the light of extensive new results, presents perspectives concerning potential targets for gliomas therapy.

Corepressors are newly discovered assemblies of proteins that play essential roles in eukaryotic gene regulation. Recent discoveries about corepressors have provided new insights into the molecular basis of gene regulation, and have established surprising connections between the mechanisms of action of a wide variety of transcriptional regulators. The reviews in this volume critically discuss the nature, mechanisms of action, and physiological roles of corepressors in a diverse assortment of biological systems. Both basic and clinical investigators will be able to find relevant information. The comprehensive nature of the compilation, and the breadth of the reviews, are intended to provide the reader with an excellent introduction to the newly emergent and rapidly-growing field of corepressor research. A valuable and detailed reference guide.

This volume covers all aspects of embryonic stem cell differentiation, including mouse embryonic stem cells, mouse embryonic germ cells, monkey and human embryonic stem cells, and gene discovery.* Early commitment steps and generation of chimeric mice* Differentiation to mesoderm derivatives* Gene discovery by manipulation of mouse embryonic stem cells

This book systemically presents the latest research on renal fibrosis, covering all the major topics in the field, including the possible mechanisms, biomarkers, and strategies for prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Due to its high prevalence, CKD represents a huge global economic and social burden. Irrespective of the initial causes, CKD progresses to end stage kidney disease (ESKD) due to renal fibrosis, which is characterized by glomerulosclerosis, tubule atrophy and atresia, and the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the kidney. Unfortunately, an estimated 1%-2% of the adult population living with CKD will need renal replacement therapy at some point as a result of ESKD. As such, strategies for preventing or slowing CKD progression to ESKD are of utmost importance, and studies aiming to understand the mechanisms of renal fibrosis have been the focus of intensive research. Recently, novel insights into the pathophysiological processes have furthered our understanding of the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis, and more importantly, promoted studies on the early diagnosis and treatment of CKD. This book draws lessons from the extensive, state-of-the-art research in this field, elaborating the new theories and new techniques to offer readers a detailed and comprehensive understanding of renal fibrosis and as well as inspiration for future research directions.