Margaret Hanausek – författare

A much-needed collection of cutting-edge methods for the detection and discovery of new cancer markers, particularly molecular tumor markers. Each method is fully described by a hands-on expert who regularly uses it in the laboratory and has perfected it to a high degree of ready reproducibility. Special emphasis is given to statistical considerations in the analysis of tumor markers, recent discoveries in the field of serum and tissue marker proteins, cytogenetic markers, molecular markers, and markers for the early detection of cancer. The well-honed procedures detailed here will enable cancer researchers and clinical oncologists alike to realize the promise of these powerful new diagnostic strategies for the detection, therapy, and successful prevention of cancer.

The development of cancer is a slow process and it very often takes a number of years before a tumor becomes clinically evident. No current te- nique is sensitive and specific enough to detect tumors at their earliest stage, i. e. , when the tumor is smaller than one billion cells. Consequently, the d- ease is usually diagnosed in an advanced state, very often when it is already beyond the reach of therapeutic strategies. This is the main stumbling block to the secondary prevention that would reduce cancer mortality. There is hope, however, because in the last decade we have witnessed an explosion of reports dealing with tumor markers. In many instances, simple, noninvasive diagnostic tests are becoming available to detect the early signs ofneoplasia. Interest in early detection of neoplasia is growing among those basic scientists, cli- cians, and health professionals who realize that progress in reducing cancer mortality is dependent to a great degree on its early detection and prevention. Some disappointment usually accompanies these discoveries, because what at first glance proves to be promising, is in many instances, applicable only to a limited number of cases. What is the cause of these failures? The answer may be that cancer is a multitude of neoplastic diseases in which endogenous and exogenous etiologic factors contribute either sim- taneously or over a lifetime to the development of disease.