Glioma Signaling is a text reference on cellular signaling processes focused on the mechanism of nucleotide receptors activation by exogenic nucleotides and the formation of complex signaling cascades, including cytoplasmic transcription factors, induced by growth factors, cytokines and cannabinoids. The book provides a framework explaining how signal transduction elements may modulate glioma cytoskeleton structure, cytoplasmic calcium concentration changes, cellular growth, progression and invasion, as well as presents perspective concerning potential targets for glioma therapy.

Gliomas are central nervous tumours with a glial cell of origin, such as neural stem cells, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. They usually occur in the brain (supratentorial, infratentorial, brainstem) but occasionally originate in the spine. Gliomas may be benign or malignant, comprise of various histopathological subtypes and WHO grades (I-IV). Despite having a low incidence rate of around 3.19 per 100,000 (in the US) and a median age of 64 years for a first diagnosis, gliomas account for 80% of malignant brain tumours, and are most often fatal; they are the leading cause of cancer-related death among males from the ages of 0-39 and in females aged 0-19.

This text properly considers the most recent and relevant advances in molecular RB of GB, taking into account the related topics of pathobiology, and underscores the most promising translational perspectives from the preclinical to the clinical domain. Section I (From Bedside to Bench) discusses conditions associated with RT resistance of GB and the consequent RB hints, technology improvements intended to overcome RT-resistance of GB, mathematical modeling of RB parameters from clinical studies, the present impact of molecular prognostic factors in therapy of GB, and RT tolerance of normal brain. Section II (Preclinical Research and Pathobiology Topics) presents the traditional and mechanistic/molecular approaches to RB of GB, genetic and epigenetic studies on GB, issues of cell-death pathways, stem-like cells, invasiveness, tumor microenvironment, hypoxia, mi-RNA manipulations, and nanoparticle technology. Section III (Translational Perspectives) presents RB issues related to molecular profiling and classification of GB as frames of reference for clinical studies, translational perspectives of gene therapy, evolving protocols based on pre-clinical data and large data-bases and ontologic models. Radiobiology of Glioblastoma: Recent Advances and Related Pathobiology will be of great value to pathologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists as well as basic researchers and clinical investigators.

Treatment of glioma is currently one of the most challenging problems in oncology, as well as in neurosurgery. Despite major advances in our understanding of the pathomechanism, diagnosis by imaging and the availability of powerful therapeutic tools, the life expectancy of patients with glioblastoma has only been slightly prolonged and a cure remains elusive. None of the currently available surgical tools, including operative microscopes, lasers and image-guided surgery, can enable the detection and removal of all of the tumor tissue. In recent years, however, the landscape has been changing immeasurably, and molecular studies over the past two decades have identified a variety of genetic aberrations that are specifically associated with individual types of gliomas. In addition, certain molecular abnormalities have been linked to therapy responses, thereby establishing clinical biomarkers and molecular targets, and the use of novel agents is being investigated. These agents have been specifically engineered to exert specific cytotoxicity against gliomas, either on their own as single agents or in combination with other modalities. Moreover, there has been an enormous surge of interest in the area of immunology and immunotherapy, which has been facilitated by our understanding of the molecular basis of gliomas. Although several kinds of immunotherapeutic trials have been undertaken, we still await a great breakthrough in terms of clinical efficacy to prolong the survival time of glioma patients.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a uniformly fatal primary brain tumour. Whilst many therapeutic interventions have been studied pre-clinically very few new therapies have been approved for the use of GBM therapy. These tumours present a unique challenge due to their location within the brain, making delivery of therapeutic interventions challenging. Active immunotherapy represents an attractive avenue for therapy, with activated immune cells being shown to cross the blood brain barrier and penetrate brain tumours. Despite several advances being made in numerous other cancer types, many immunotherapeutic interventions in GBM have failed to make it past phase 3 clinical trials and as of now (2022) no immunotherapeutic interventions have been approved for the therapy of GBM.

In the past few years nucleic acids technologies have grown into a powerful analytical and also increasingly therapeutic tool. It has been applied not only to the uncovering of gene functions in many organisms, but also to pathogenetic analysis and recently also for the treatment of human diseases. The book discusses in depth the potential of these innovative methods in the broad field of central nervous system and brain tumours particularly. Whereas there is currently no comprehensive overview on potential and challenges of nucleic acids technologies for basic brain tumours and for the clinical management of patients with brain tumours, this book does explicitly cover the many other aspects of the "RNA World" (pathogenic and therapeutic potential of microRNAs, aptamer technology, etc.), too. With this significantly broadened scope as compared to currently existing books it appears to be an urgently needed new publication.

Glioblastoma Resistance to Chemotherapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Innovative Reversal Strategies brings current knowledge from an international team of experts on the science and clinical management of glioblastoma chemoresistance. The book discusses topics such as molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance, experimental models to study chemoresistance, chemoresistance to drugs other than Temozolomide, and specific strategies to reverse chemoresistance. Additionally, it encompasses information on how to mitigate chemoresistance by targeted enhancement of p53 function. This book is a valuable resource for cancer researchers, oncologists, neuro-oncologists and other members of the biomedical field. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most invasive and malignant primary brain tumor in humans with poor survival after diagnosis, therefore it is imperative that molecular and cellular mechanisms behind therapy resistant GBM cells, as well as the therapeutic strategies available to counter the resistance are comprehensively understood. - Provides comprehensive, core knowledge related to the entire discipline of glioblastoma chemoresistance, from its many etiological mechanisms, to specific strategies to reverse resistance - Presents current information from an international team of experts on the basic science, pre-clinical research, and clinical management of glioblastoma chemoresistance - Discusses molecular and cellular mechanisms behind therapy resistant glioblastoma cells, as well as the therapeutic strategies available to counter this resistance

Zusammenfassung: This volume explores the latest technologies used to study the co-existence of neuronal and neuron-glia synapses in the brain. The chapters in this volume are organized into three parts. Part One covers recent advancements in the technical approaches for studying glutamatergic signalling between neurons. Part Two highlights approaches to study the functional role of astrocytes at neuronal synapses. Part Three focuses on fast signalling at neuron-glia synapses, and highlights relevant methods for investigating these unusual synapses, including slice electrophysiology and in vivo gene delivery techniques. In the Neuromethods series style, all chapters contain key advices from experts in the field that are valuable for performing successful experiments on the topic in your laboratory. Cutting-edge and thorough, New Technologies for Glutamate Interactions: Neurons and Glia is a valuable resource for both neuronal and glial physiologists who are interested in learning about and developing new methods to further understand neuronal and neuron-glia synaptic transmission