Cancer-Leading Proteases: Structures, Functions, and Inhibition presents a detailed discussion on the role of proteases as drug targets and how they have been utilized to develop anticancer drugs. Proteases possess outstanding diversity in their functions. Because of their unique properties, proteases are a major focus of attention for the pharmaceutical industry as potential drug targets or as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This book covers the structure and functions of proteases and the chemical and biological rationale of drug design relating to how these proteases can be exploited to find useful chemotherapeutics to fight cancers. In addition, the book encompasses the experimental and theoretical aspects of anticancer drug design based on proteases. It is a useful resource for pharmaceutical scientists, medicinal chemists, biochemists, microbiologists, and cancer researchers working on proteases.

Introduction. -- Basic Molecular Mechanisms. -- Prevention and Detection. -- Current Approaches. -- Novel Approaches.

A balanced treatment of both classical cell biology and modern molecular biology issues. This second edition has been revised to update all scientific content and references. Developed to be a readable story that is accessible, interesting and comprehensible for all introductory students the authors provide a balanced treatment of both classical cell biology and modern molecular biology issues. Students are further presented with historical and experimental approaches to explain the evolution of models and ideas, and to provide actual data for each concept.

Since most cancer therapies primarily act by inducing apoptosis in tumor cells, insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating apoptosis are crucial to developing novel, more effective treatment strategies. Here, a highly distinguished team of authors from top institutes around the world leads readers from the principles of programmed cell death to the role of apoptosis in cancer development and emerging treatment strategies. Divided into two distinct parts, the first focuses on apoptosis signaling, covering in depth such topics as mitochondria, effector systems, the Bcl-2 family, IAPs, survival pathways, tumor suppressor genes, modulators, lysosomes and phagocytosis. The second section goes on to analyze apoptosis in cancer and cancer therapy, with a detailed look at model systems, molecular diagnosis, cellular stress, DNA damage and repair, molecular targets and therapeutic aspects. With its strong focus on recent developments in cancer therapy, this book is aimed at oncologists, molecular and cell biologists, biochemists, and those working in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries.