Oncogene-Directed Therapies

In recent years an entirely new category of anticancer agents has entered the clinic. This class of drugs, the frontrunners of which are Herceptin and Gleevec, are no longer a product of the intuitive and largely empirical explorations that brought about traditional anticancer treatments like chemotherapy. Rather, these new agents have emerged directly from molecular analysis of various cancer-causing genes (oncogenes). In Oncogene-Directed Therapies, prominent investigators and clinicians, several of them pioneers in the field, summarize what is known about oncogenes and oncogenesis-in a balanced blend of fundamental science, basic research, experimental therapeutics, and early clinical experience-and describe how that knowledge can be used to treat the disease. The contributors explain how, why, and under what conditions certain proteins acquire the ability to transform eukaryotic cells, and detail the crucial biological consequences of this oncogenic transformation, particularly for cellular mitogenesis, survival, differentiation, migration, proteolysis, or angiogenic competence. Their articles thoroughly explicate the premises, principles, techniques, and approaches to oncogene targeting in various types of human cancer by using signal transduction inhibitors, immunological targeting methods, and antisense gene therapy. Also included is a review of the results of preclinical and clinical testing of some of today's most advanced therapeutic agents. Unique in perspective and comprehensive in its coverage, Oncogene-Directed Therapies not only integrates for all those engaged in-or simply interested in the cutting-edge of-"the war on cancer" the many remarkable recent achievements in our molecular understanding and treatment of these diseases, but also clarifies what directions future research might optimally take, as well as what significant accomplishments might lie ahead.