Anti-angiogenesis Strategies in Cancer Therapeutics provides a detailed look at the current status and future directions in the discovery and development of novel anti-angiogenesis strategies in oncology. This book highlights the different mechanisms involved in the modulation of angiogenesis, including inflammation, thrombosis, and microRNA, and shows how nanotechnology can further enhance the potential of existing and new anti-angiogenesis approaches. Written for industry scientists, researchers, oncologists, hematologists, and professors and students in the field, this comprehensive book covers all aspects of anti-angiogenesis strategies and their differences. - Covers important preclinical models and clinical trials in the discovery and development of novel anti-angiogenesis agents - Reviews FDA-approved anti-angiogenesis agents - Illustrates the value of nanotechnology in improving the utility of anti-angiogenesis agents - Offers insight into the development of novel anti-angiogenesis agents and future direction in this area

Tumour Angiogenesis is the first comprehensive book to cover all areas of this rapidly expanding research area. Each chapter is written by world experts in the field and topics covered include in vivo models, mechanisms, inhibition, and the role of macrophages, cytokines, proteases,extracellular matrix components, nitric oxide, prostanoids and oncogenes/tumour suppressor genes in angiogenesis. Other chapters examine the role of specific growth factors in angiogenesis - these include vascular endothelial growth factor, the basic fibroblast growth factor family, transforminggrowth factor-beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase and pleiotrophin and related molecules. Clinical issues are addressed in chapters that deal with the prognostic and predictive value of tumour microvessel density and thetherapeutic significance of microregional blood flow. The two final chapters examine the feasibility of targeting tumour vasculature using either antibodies or gene therapy.

This book is focused on the analysis of the role played by immune cell components in the angiogenic process associated with inflammation and tumor growth. Both innate and adaptive immune cells are involved in the mechanisms of endothelial cell proliferation, migration and activation, through the production and release of a large spectrum of pro-angiogenic mediators. These may create the specific microenvironment that favors an increased rate of tissue vascularization. The link between chronic inflammation and tumorigenesis was first proposed by Rudolf Virchow in 1863 after the observation that infiltrating leukocytes are a hallmark of tumors and first established a causative connection between the lymph reticular infiltrate at sites of chronic inflammation and the development of cancer. Tumors were described as wounds that never heal and surgeons have long described the tendency of tumors to recur in healing resection margin and it has been reported that wound healing environment provides an opportunistic matrix for tumor growth. As angiogenesis is the result of a net balance between the activities exerted by positive and negative regulators, this book will also provide information on some anti-angiogenic properties of immune cells that may be utilized for a potential pharmacological use as anti-angiogenic agents in inflammation as well as in cancer. The work is written for researchers in the field and also for graduate students which approach this matter.

Tumor angiogenesis is one of the most prominent mechanisms driving tumor development and progression. This book is written by internationally renowned experts. Part 1 describes the basic mechanisms. Tumor-angiogenic signaling pathways are presented as new potential targets for anti-angiogenic therapy. Part 2 reviews the efforts made to validate new targets and to show efficacy in animals. Part 3 is devoted to the clinical development of the novel anti-angiogenic drugs and their use in clinical practice.

Angiogenesis is the growth of blood vessels from the existing vasculature. The field of angiogenesis has grown enormously in the past 30 years, with only 40 papers published in 1980 and nearly 6000 in 2010. Why has there been this explosive growth in angiogenesis research? Angiogenic therapies provide a potential to conquer cancer, heart diseases, and more than 70 of life's most threatening medical conditions. The lives of at least 1 billion people worldwide could be improved with angiogenic therapy, according to the Angiogenesis Foundation. In this little book, we provide a simple approach to understand the essential elements of the angiogenic process, we critique the most powerful angiogenesis assays that are used to discover proangiogenic and antiangiogenic substances, and we provide an in-depth physiological perspective on how angiogenesis is regulated in normal, healthy tissues of the human body. All tissues of the body require a continuous supply of oxygen to burn metabolic substrates that are needed for energy. Oxygen is conducted to these tissues by blood capillaries: more capillaries can improve tissue oxygenation and thus enhance energy production; fewer capillaries can lead to hypoxia and even anoxia in the tissues. This means that angiogenic therapies designed to control the growth and regression of blood capillaries can be used to improve the survival of poorly perfused tissues that are essential to the body (heart, brain, skeletal muscle, etc.) and to rid the body of unwanted tissues (tumors). Table of Contents: Overview of Angiogenesis / Angiogenesis Assays / Regulation: Metabolic Factors / Regulation: Mechanical Factors / Glossary / References / Author Biographies

The purpose of this book is to highlight novel advances in the field and to incentivize scientists from a variety of fields to pursue angiogenesis as a research avenue. Blood vessel formation and maturation to capillaries, arteries, or veins is a fascinating area which can appeal to multiple scientists, students, and professors alike. Angiogenesis is relevant to medicine, engineering, pharmacology, and pathology and to the many patients suffering from blood vessel diseases and cancer, among others. We are hoping that this book will become a source of inspiration and novel ideas for all.

Tumor Vascularization discusses the different types of growth of tumor blood vessels and their implications on research and healthcare. The book is divided into three parts: the first one, General Mechanisms, discusses different vessel growth mechanisms, such as sprouting angiogenesis, non-angiogenesis dependent growth, intussusceptive microvascular growth, vascular co-option and vasculogenic mimicry. The second and third parts, entitled Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Implications are dedicated to translating recent findings in this field to patient treatment and healthcare. This book is a valuable source for cancer researchers, oncologists, graduate students and members of the biomedical field who are interested in tumor progression and blood vessels.

- Volume is divided into four sections, allowing easy navagation for researchers and practicing physicians - Text includes clinical trials - Written by leaders in the field

Volume 19, entitled Essential Metals in Medicine: Therapeutic Use and Toxicity of Metal Ions in the Clinic of the series Metal Ions in Life Sciences centers on the role of metal ions in clinical medicine. Metal ions are tightly regulated in human health: while essential to life, they can be toxic as well. Following an introductory chapter briefly discussing several important metal-related drugs and diseases and a chapter about drug development, the focus is fi rst on iron: its essentiality for pathogens and humans as well as its toxicity. Chelation therapy is addressed in the context of thalassemia, its relationship to neurodegenerative diseases and also the risks connected with iron administration are pointed out. A subject of intense debate is the essentiality of chromium and vanadium. For example, chromium(III) compounds are taken as a nutritional supplement by athletes and bodybuilders; in contrast, chromate, Cr(VI), is toxic and a carcinogen for humans. The benefi cial and toxic effects of manganese, cobalt, and copper on humans are discussed. The need for antiparasitic agents is emphasized as well as the clinical aspects of metal-containing antidotes for cyanide poisoning. In addition to the essential and possibly essential ones, also other metal ions play important roles in human health, causing harm (like the metalloid arsenic, lead or cadmium) or being used in diagnosis or treatment of human diseases, like gadolinium, gallium, lithium, gold, silver or platinum. The impact of this vibrant research area on metals in the clinic is provided in 14 stimulating chapters, written by internationally recognized experts from the Americas, Europe and China, and is manifested by approximately 2000 references, and about 90 illustrations and tables. Essential Metals in Medicine: Therapeutic Use and Toxicity of Metal Ions in the Clinic is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from pharmacology, enzymology, material sciences, analytical, organic, and inorganic biochemistry all the way through to medicine ... not forgetting that it also provides excellent information for teaching.

Molecular Therapies of Cancer comprehensively covers the molecular mechanisms of anti-cancer drug actions in a comparably systematic fashion. While there is currently available a great deal of literature on anti-cancer drugs, books on the subject are often concoctions of invited review articles superficially connected to one another. There is a lack of comprehensive and systematic text on the topic of molecular therapies in cancer. A further deficit in the relevant literature is a progressive sub-specialization that typically limits textbooks on cancer drugs to cover either pharmacology or medicinal chemistry or signal transduction, rather than explaining molecular drug actions across all those areas; Molecular Therapies of Cancer fills this void. The book is divided into five sections: 1. Molecular Targeting of Cancer Cells; 2. Emerging and Alternative Treatment Modalities; 3. Molecular Targeting of Tumor-Host Interactions; 4. Anti-Cancer Drug Pharmacokinetics; and 5. Supportive Therapies.