John M. S. Bartlett - Böcker

Over one hundred well-respected scientists comprehensively review every aspect of the biology underlying ovarian cancer and present a remarkably detailed collection of easy-to-follow methods for illuminating basic mechanisms underlying all forms of cancer. Here today's investigators will find the broadest imaginable array of molecular biology techniques specially designed to determine not only tumor genetics, expression, and protein function, but also to elucidate the genetic mechanisms by which gene and immunotherapies may be perfected. Versatile and comprehensive, Ovarian Cancer Methods and Protocols constitutes a veritable treasury of well-proven expert methods that will help basic scientists and clinical researchers alike master the powerful technologies required for effective cancer research today.

This practical manual provides a comprehensive yet concise guide to state-of-the-art molecular techniques and their applications. It starts with an overview of the essential principles of molecular techniques, followed by separate chapters detailing the use of these techniques in particular tissues and organs, and describing recommended treatment plans. Each chapter covers the tests available, their advantages, limitations, and use as diagnostic and prognostic tools, with key learning points at the end of each topic. Using both histologic and cytologic samples, it discusses how to interpret test results in a pathologic context and enables trainees and practising pathologists to gain an in-depth understanding of molecular diagnostic techniques and how to incorporate them into routine diagnostic practice. Aiding the daily practice of refining diagnosis, as well as offering a didactic approach, this book is an essential reference for practising pathologists and cytopathologists as well as trainees in pathology.

If there is one aspect of current cancer research that represents a major ch- lenge in both novice and experienced researchers, it is the rapid advance in our understanding of the disease. Researchers can be required to switch from analysis of gene expression to kinetics of protein activation, from genetic studies to the analysis of protein funtion. Cancers are highly complex disease systems and researchers aiming to understand the functioning of cancer systems require access to a wide range of laboratory techiques from a broad range of research disciplines. Increasingly, however, published methods are incomplete or refer back to a series of previous publications each containing only a small part of the complete pro- col. The aim of Ovarian Cancer: Methods and Protocols is to provide for ovarian cancer researchers in the first instance, a laboratory handbook that will facilitate research into cancer systems by providing a series of expert protocols, with proven efficacy, across a broad range of technical expertise. Thus, there are sections on tumor genetics and cellular signal transduction, as well as sections on apoptosis and RNA analysis. The value of Ovarian Cancer: Methods and Protocols to the ovarian cancer researcher will, I trust, be considerably enhanced by (1) the provision of a series of overviews relating to the biology, diagnosis, and treatment of this important neoplasm, and (2) the provision of a series of technical overviews introducing each part that provides an expert review of the applications and pitfalls of the various techniques included.

A diverse collection of readily reproducible methods for use in cancer detection. Highlights include FISH-based methodologies currently used in the diagnosis of solid tumors, the molecular diagnosis of genetic abnormalities by DNA array technologies - including sequence-specific oligonucleotide arrays and CGH arrays - and methodologies directed at the detection of epigenetic events and at quantitative gene expression. The authors apply these novel diagnostic procedures to a broad range of cases taken from cytology, solid tumor pathology, hematology, and rare cell detection, paying special attention to potential future developments and the practical problems of dealing with quality control and accuracy.