Introduction to Cancer Biology, 2nd Edition

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.

• Provides a step-by-step progression through the basics of cancer, minimising confusion and revealing the wonder of the molecular biology of cancer.
• Describes basic features of normal cell signalling before integrating key mutations into the picture, making it easy for students to grasp the range of strategies that tumour cells can use to neutralise drugs.
• Covers the latest development in genetic analysis of cancer and chemotherapy, allowing students to gently grasp the range of anti-cancer drugs in clinical use.
• Describes the range of approaches now under development in the design of drugs and their delivery along with relevant illustrations and examples to summarise how effective they have been and their potential for further development.
• Includes assessment material, ranging from ‘Pause and Recap’ boxes, end-of-chapter questions, and an online test bank.