Successes and Challenges of NK Immunotherapy: Increasing Anti-tumor Efficacy describes the unique therapeutic applications of NK cells to fight cancers and eliminate the bulk and subset of cancer stem cells responsible for metastasis, relapse and recurrences. The book provides information on the development, engineering, mechanisms of action, response to various preclinical models, and applications in various clinical trials. Sections cover the development of highly engineered cytotoxic NK cells, their mechanisms of action, preclinical and clinical applications, the development and application of CAR-NK cells, and new NK-drug conjugates, also emphasizing that activated NK cells can target and kill highly resistant cancer stem cells. Written by the leading experts on NK immunotherapy worldwide, this is a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians and members of the biomedical field who are interested in understanding novel and efficient therapies to fight cancers. Discusses the unique developmental applications of NK immunotherapy against cancers, which differs greatly from other types of immunotherapies Provides up-to-date and highly relevant information through chapters written by the leading researchers in the field Presents a significant number of schematic diagrams for easy understanding and reproducibility

Molecular Cancer Therapeutics covers state-of-the-art strategies to identify and develop cancer drug target molecules and lead inhibitors for clinical testing. It provides a thorough treatment of drug target discovery, validation, and development. The introductory chapters provide an overview of pathways to discovery and development of molecular cancer therapeutics. Subsequent chapters progress from initial stages of drug target discovery to drug discovery, development, and testing in preclinical and clinical models. Topics include drug lead screening, drug-to-lead development, proof-of-concept studies, medicinal chemistry issues, intellectual property concerns, and clinical development. This invaluable reference promotes understanding of steps involved in developing drug leads for industrial partnering and development. It provides an overview of the strategies for discovery and validation of drug target molecules, and discusses cell- and molecule-based drug screening strategies, as well as mouse models for cancer. Coverage also includes how to refine drug leads for suitability in clinical testing, the special issues of clinical testing of molecular-targeted drugs, and intellectual property concerns.

Plants that Fight Cancer, Second Edition, is a compilation that reviews cancer treatment and research-based information on the plant kingdom as the source of both known and novel chemical moieties and mixtures, many of them still under identification. This new edition follows the organization of the first book with a considerable expansion of content that more than doubles the volume of information. Divided into four segments, the first part is dedicated to a review of our current knowledge of cancer, the different types and incidence, the molecular pathways of the disease, and the various treatment protocols, with an emphasis on chemotherapy. The second part is a brief journey in pharmacognosy, with detailed information about each of the fourteen different chemical groups of plant secondary metabolites, their use in cancer chemotherapy, and updated information on the biotechnological production of the most representative compounds in clinical practice. The third part of the book comprises six chapters dedicated to either plant chemotherapeutical approaches to specific cancer types (e.g. bladder, prostate) or specific groups of plant secondary metabolites with novel and promising properties for cancer treatment (e.g. naphthoquinones, lectins, phenanthridone alkaloids). The fourth part, containing investigative information on almost 300 individual plant species with established anticancer properties, either on a clinical or in vitro level, is with no doubt the most analytical. This new edition contains chapters on cytotoxic phenanthridone alkaloid constituents of the Amaryllidaceae; naphthoquinone-contained anticancer terrestrial plants; polyphenols and cancer immunology; medicinal plant product-based fabrication nanoparticles (Au and Ag) and their anticancer effects; bladder and prostate cancer; and plant lectins in cancer treatment. FEATURES • Provides efficient information for all kinds of cancer and plant chemotherapeutical approaches to specific cancer types • Discusses specific groups of plant secondary metabolites with novel and promising properties for cancer treatment • Provides scientific information for medicinal uses of various plants • Contains analytical information on almost 300 individual plant species with established anticancer properties, either on a clinical or in vitro level • Focuses on plant genera and species that are either already used in cancer chemotherapy or have been identified with antitumor and antileukemic properties to a bigger or lesser extent

Cancer cells can change and adapt, especially within the host environment; a phenomenon known as cancer plasticity. Several factors, including the immune system can influence, and be influenced by, cancer plasticity which in turn can impact upon patient responses to treatment. As such, we currently face several challenges for implementing combination therapies as effective cancer treatment strategies. We have compiled a topic with a number of articles that emphasize the various aspects of cancer plasticity, describing in particular the important role of the tumor microenvironment. As we embark on a new era of precision medicine with multi-modal therapies for improving patient outcomes, this topic highlights some relevant points for consideration that are pertinent to the incorporation and effective use of new treatments as part of cancer treatment regimens, including immune-modulating drugs.