Cancer Chemotherapy: Basic Science to the Clinic

This textbook is a clear and accessible introduction to the scientific and clinical aspects of the creation, development and administration of drugs or drug regimens used in the treatment of cancer. Unique in its approach, this book enables the student to gain an understanding of the pathological, physiological and molecular processes governing malignancy, whilst also introducing the role of health professionals and scientists in the research and treatment of cancer. The book consolidates all the essential information necessary for a full understanding of cancer chemotherapy, providing an informative, inexpensive and up-to-date coverage of the subject aimed at an undergraduate level readership.
Key Features:
Incorporates numerous diagrams, tables and illustrations to aid understanding.
Examines key pharmacological and pharmaceutical issues such as dosing, toxicity and preparation of anti-cancer drugs.
Includes a key chapter of practice essay questions to ease revision.
Comprehensive coverage of drugs currently in pre-clinical and clinical development.
An indispensable text for undergraduate students studying pharmacy and medicine as well as those doing courses such as molecular biology, biomedical sciences and pharmacology which cover aspects of oncology.

"A useful addition to stand beside standard sources." (Pharmaceutical Journal, December 2009)

Preface.
1. Cancer epidemiology.
1.1 Cancer incidence, prevalence and mortality.
1.2 Childhood cancers.
1.3 Global epidemiology.
2. Histopathology of cancer.
2.1 Introduction.
2.2 Malignant, benign and normal (non-malignant) tissue.
2.3 Cell death.
3. Carcinogenesis, malignant transformation and progression.
3.1 Introduction.
3.2 Chemical carcinogenesis.
4. Molecular biology of cancer: Oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes.
4.1 Introduction.
4.2 Oncogenesis.
4.3 Tumour suppressor genes.
5. Tumour metastasis: A convergence of many theories.
5.1 Introduction.
5.2 Detachment and migration from the primary tumour.
5.3 Intravasation.
5.4 Transport.
5.5 Extravasation.
5.6 Growth of the metastatic tumour mass.
6. Health professionals in the treatment of cancer.
6.1 Introduction.
6.2 Pathology.
6.3 Radiology.
6.4 Role of the surgical oncologist.
6.5 Oncology pharmacy.
6.6 Oncology nursing.
6.7 The NHS Cancer Plan.
7. Principles of cancer chemotherapy.
7.1 Introduction.
7.2 Timing of chemotherapy.
7.3 Biomarkers and their uses.
7.4 Clinical assessment of biomarkers.
7.5 Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics of cancer chemotherapy.
8. Classic anticancer agents.
8.1 Introduction.
8.2 Alkylating agents.
8.3 Antimetabolites.
8.4 Agents derived from natural or semisynthetic products.
8.5 Hormonal anticancer agents.
8.6 Clinically used chemotherapy regimens.
9. The philosophy of cancer research.
9.1 Introduction.
9.2 Structure of cancer research organizations in the United Kingdom.
9.3 Cancer research in the United States.
10. Novel anticancer agents.
10.1 Introduction.
10.2 Target validation.
10.3 Identification and optimization of lead drugs.
10.4 Preclinical pharmacology.
11. Clinical trials.
11.1 Introduction.
11.2 Evaluation of treatment response.
11.3 Assessment of vascularity and angiogenesis by nuclear medicine technology.
12. Tumour hypoxia.
12.1 Introduction.
12.2 Bioreductive drugs.
12.3 Inhibitors of HIF-1 and HIF-1-regulated genes.
13. Antiangiogenic and antivascular agents.
13.1 History of angiogenesis as a therapeutic target.
13.2 Anti-angiogenic drug targets.
13.3 The return of thalidomide.
13.4 Monoclonal antibodies as anti-angiogenic agents.
13.5 The hollow fibre assay as a drug screen for anti-angiogenic drugs.
13.6 Vascular disrupting agents.
14. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
14.1 Introduction.
14.2 Tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting angiogenesis.
14.3 Non-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
15. Ras inhibitors.
16. Inhibitors of the Akt PKB pathway.
17. Targeting stress proteins: HSP90 inhibitors.
18. The proteasome.
18.1 Introduction.
18.2 The proteasome as a target for novel drug strategies.
18.3 Ubiquitylation as a target.
19. Checkpoint protein kinases as novel targets - mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR).
19.1 Mammalian target of rapamycin.
19.2 Structure and activation of mTOR.
19.3 Novel anticancer agents targeting mTOR.
20. Telomerase.
21. Histone deacetylase: an epigenetic drug target.
21.1 Introduction.
21.2 HDAC and DNA packaging.
21.3 HDAC inhibitors.
22. Pharmaceutical problems in cancer chemotherapy.
22.1 Manifestation of toxicity.
22.2 Regimen-related toxicity.
22.3 Secondary malignancies.
22.4 Drug resistance.
22.5 Pharmaceutical complications.
22.6 Phlebitis and venous irritation.
22.7 Health and safety.
22.8 National guidance on the safe administration of intrathecal chemotherapy.
23. Oncology pharmacy at home and abroad.
24. Practice exam questions.
25. Bibliography and further reading.
Index.