Introduction to Cancer Biology

An accessible, introductory textbook covering the basic principles and latest research on the causes, growth, detection, and treatment of cancers.

Robin Hesketh (Author)

9781316512616, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 14 September 2023

450 pages
26.1 x 20.8 x 2.6 cm, 1.23 kg

'A comprehensive look at cancer biology and treatment with chemical-level precision.' John Schmidt, Villanova University, Pennsylvania

From basic principles to insights into pioneering research, this introductory textbook provides the fundamentals of cancer biology that will enable students of biology and medicine to enter the field with confidence. It opens with a discussion of global cancer patterns, how cancers arise, and the risk factors involved. A description of the normal signalling pathways within cells then explains how DNA mutations affect proteins and what this means for the development and behaviour of tumours. Later chapters discuss methods for tumour detection, biomarker identification and the impact of genome sequencing, before reviewing the development of anti-cancer drugs and exciting current advances in treatment. With 50% new material, including two new chapters on genetic analysis of cancer and cancer chemotherapy, improved pedagogy, examples of revolutionising technologies in drug design and delivery, and useful online resources, this textbook offers an accessible and engaging account of cancer biology for undergraduate and graduate students.

Preface
1. Lessons from epidemiology
2. Causes of cancer
3. Genetic analysis of cancer
4. Signaling in normal cells
5. 'Cancer genes': Mutations and cancer development
6. What is a tumour? 7. Cancer signaling networks
8. Cancer detection, diagnosis and radiotherapy
9. Cancer chemotherapy
10. The future of cancer detection and treatment
Appendix A: Tumour grading and staging
Appendix B: Classes of major oncoproteins
Appendix C: Major tumour suppressor genes
Appendix D: Ten major cancers at a glance
Glossary, References, Index.

Subject Areas: Developmental biology [PSC]