Cancer is a major public health concern and one of the leading causes of death. There is no simple solution for this complex disease, therefore interdisciplinary approaches might help to find solutions to many unanswered questions and challenges about cancer. The rapid flow of interdisciplinary research in cancer during recent years has increased our understanding of the nature of cancers. Such interdisciplinary approaches could be helpful for both the diagnosis and the development of more effective therapeutic strategies. The “Interdisciplinary Cancer Research” series publishes comprehensive volumes on different cancers and presents the most updated and peer-reviewed articles on human cancers. Over the past decade, increased cancer research has greatly improved our understanding of the nature of cancerous cells which has led to the development of more effective therapeutic strategies to treat cancers. This interdisciplinary series is of special value to researchers and practitioners working on cell biology, immunology, hematology, biochemistry, genetics, oncology and related fields. This is the main concept of Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), which is a part of Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN).

Cancer treatment is a challenging issue, while the treatment modalities have extended from traditional surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy to new therapeutic approaches, including targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and hormone therapy. Therefore, an interdisciplinary approach is needed to find a better therapeutic protocols in order to increase the prognosis and quality of life of patients with cancer. The second volume of the “Interdisciplinary Cancer Research” series, entitled “Cancer Treatment: An Interdisciplinary Approach” publishes comprehensive volumes on different cancer treatment modalities and presents the most updated and peer-reviewed articles on cancer therapy. This interdisciplinary series is of special value to researchers and practitioners working on cell biology, immunology, hematology, biochemistry, genetics, oncology and related fields. This is the main concept of Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), which is a part of Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN). This interdisciplinary book will be of special value for researchers and clinicians who wish to extend their knowledge on cancer treatment.

Mathematical modeling, analysis and simulation are set to play crucial roles in explaining tumor behavior, and the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells over multiple time and spatial scales. This book, the first to integrate state-of-the-art numerical techniques with experimental data, provides an in-depth assessment of tumor cell modeling at multiple scales. The first part of the text presents a detailed biological background with an examination of single-phase and multi-phase continuum tumor modeling, discrete cell modeling, and hybrid continuum-discrete modeling. In the final two chapters, the authors guide the reader through problem-based illustrations and case studies of brain and breast cancer, to demonstrate the future potential of modeling in cancer research. This book has wide interdisciplinary appeal and is a valuable resource for mathematical biologists, biomedical engineers and clinical cancer research communities wishing to understand this emerging field.

Bioengineering Innovative Solutions for Cancer bridges the gap between bioengineering and cancer biology. It focuses on a 'bottom up' understanding of the links between molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organisms, and health and functions-all within a bioengineering context. Chapters cover the main methods, technologies and devices that could help diagnose cancer sooner (e.g., ultrasensitive imaging and sensing technologies) and helpful treatments (e.g., new, more targeted therapies). The book takes an interdisciplinary approach that is ideal for those who need the latest information on design techniques and devices that help treat cancer using new, more targeted therapies. By covering the many different ways engineers can deliver innovative solutions to tackle cancer, this book is a valuable read for researchers who have an ambition to make an impact on people's life in either an academic or industrial setting.

Case Studies in Interdisciplinary Research successfully applies the model of the interdisciplinary research process outlined by author Allen F. Repko in Interdisciplinary Research, (SAGE ©2008) to a wide spectrum of challenging research questions. Self-contained case studies, written by leaders in interdisciplinary research, and utilizing best-practice techniques in conducting interdisciplinary research shows students how to apply the interdisciplinary research process to a variety of problems.

Since the 1970s, the origin of cancer is being explored from the point of view of the Somatic Mutation Theory (SMT), focusing on genetic mutations and clonal expansion of somatic cells. As cancer research expanded in several directions, the dominant focus on cells remained steady, but the classes of genes and the kinds of extra-genetic factors that were shown to have causal relevance in the onset of cancer multiplied. The wild heterogeneity of cancer-related mutations and phenotypes, along with the increasing complication of models, led to an oscillation between the hectic search of ‘the’ few key factors that cause cancer and the discouragement in face of a seeming ‘endless complexity’. To tame this complexity, cancer research started to avail itself of the tools that were being developed by Systems Biology. At the same time, anti-reductionist voices began claiming that cancer research was stuck in a sterile research paradigm. This alternative discourse even gave birth to an alternative theory: the Tissue Organization Field Theory (TOFT). A deeper philosophical analysis shows limits and possibilities of reductionist and anti-reductionist positions and of their polarization. This book demonstrates that a radical philosophical reflection is necessary to drive cancer research out of its impasses. At the very least, this will be a reflection on the assumptions of different kinds of cancer research, on the implications of what cancer research has been discovering over 40 years and more, on a view of scientific practice that is most able to make sense of the cognitive and social conflicts that are seen in the scientific community (and in its results), and, finally, on the nature of living entities with which we entertain this fascinating epistemological dance that we call scientific research. The proposed Dynamic and Relational View of carcinogenesis is a starting point in all these directions.

There are different types of treatment for breast cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Deciding on the types of treatment depends on several factors, such as the stage and grade of cancer, biomarkers, and general health of patients. The seventh volume of the "Interdisciplinary Cancer Research" series, entitled "Breast Cancer Treatment: An Interdisciplinary Approach" publishes comprehensive reviews on different treatment opportunities on breast cancer. An update on treatment of triple-negative breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ is provided. Ablative breast cancer surgery, radiotherapy, and percutaneous breast cancer treatment are explained. Promising hormone immunotherapy combination as well as targeted therapies for breast cancer is also discussed. This interdisciplinary series is of special value to researchers working on oncology. This is the main concept of Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), which is a part of Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN). This interdisciplinary book will be of special value to researchers and oncologists who wish to extend their knowledge on breast cancer treatment.

2775 references to research projects being conducted in the United States and elsewhere. Entries arranged under 11 topics, e.g., Cancer therapy, Supportive care of cancer patients, and Rehabilitation. Entries include title, researcher, address, contract number, summary, and supporting agency. Indexes by subjects, investigators, contractors, supporting agencies, and contractor numbers.

Interdisciplinary research is a cooperative effort by a team of investigators, each an expert in the use of different methods and concepts, who have joined in an organized program to attack a challenging problem. Each investigator is responsible for the research in their area of discipline that applies to the problem, but together the investigators are responsible for the final product. The need for interdisciplinary training activities has been detailed over the last 25 years in both public and private reports. The history of science and technology has even shown the important advances that arose from interdisciplinary research, including plate tectonics which brought together geologists, oceanographers, paleomagnetists, seismologists, and geophysicists to advance the ability to forecast earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In recognition of this, the need to train scientists who can address the highly complex problems that challenge us today and fully use new knowledge and technology, and the fact that cooperative efforts have proved difficult, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), the National Institute on Nursing Research (NINR), and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) requested that an Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee be created to complete several tasks including: examining the needs and strategies for interdisciplinary training in the brain, behavioral, social, and clinical sciences, defining necessary components of true interdisciplinary training in these areas, and reviewing current educational and training programs to identify elements of model programs that best facilitate interdisciplinary training. Bridging Disciplines in the Brain, Behavioral, and Clinical Sciences provides the conclusions and recommendations of this committee. Due to evaluations of the success of interdisciplinary training programs are scarce, the committee could not specify the "necessary components" or identify the elements that "best facilitate" interdisciplinary training. However, after reviewing existing programs and consulting with experts, the committee identified approaches likely to be successful in providing direction for interdisciplinary endeavors at various career stages. This report also includes interviews, training programs, and workshop agendas used.