The Cytokine Handbook

Booknews

Thirty-three chapters provide coverage of the hemopoietic growth factors, 18 interleukin molecules, and the interferon family of molecules. Each treatment discusses in detail the immunology, molecular biology, and receptors of the molecules. Additional chapters treat stem cell factor; gene therapy; the chemokines; Flt3 ligand; and the therapeutic potential, assay systems, and phylogeny of the molecules. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

From The Critics

Reviewer: Marion C. Cohen, PhD(SUNY Downstate Medical Center)
Description: This is the fourth edition of a two-volume set attempts to give a detailed and up-to-date description of those regulatory molecules known as cytokines. At the rate at which this field expands, this revision is certainly welcome. The book begins with basic cytokine biology and then provides chapters on individual families of cytokines. The final section focuses on clinical application of cytokines and cytokine inhibition. The previous edition was published in 1998.
Purpose: The goal is to provide up-to-date coverage of all aspects of the cytokine field, a goal that cannot be completely achieved since it is a moving target. However, the editors and authors have achieved a high level of success and the chapters are as current as can be expected given the time it takes to produce any book and particularly one that is multi-authored. This new edition will be a useful source of information to many scientists whether they are familiar with the field or are neophytes.
Audience: The book is primarily written for researchers who need information about cytokines irrespective of their primary discipline. Advanced undergraduates and graduate students will also find a wealth of information that they might need. There is a section on applications that might be useful to clinicians. The first three editions were edited by Angus W. Thomson. For this fourth edition he has been joined by Michael T. Lotze. Both of them are well recognized authorities in the field. The authors of the individual chapters have been well chosen for their expertise.
Features: The first volume begins with basic cytokine biology and is followed by sections devoted to each of the cytokine families. Each family is divided into chapters describing individual cytokines or small groups of related cytokines. The final section deals with clinical application of cytokines and inhibition of their action. References are provided but of necessity they are limited in number. Nonetheless, it is likely that somewhere in these volumes is whatever one needs to know about cytokines or at least a reference that is helpful. There are some black-and-white figures as well as tables where appropriate. There are also some well done color illustrations grouped together in the center of each volume rather than within the chapter to which they belong. Presumably this is to keep costs down but it is somewhat distracting to the reader.
Assessment: These volumes provide a major well written source of information about cytokines. Although there have been other books that focused on cytokines in the past, there seems to be no competition at the moment. The year 2004 is the 30th anniversary of the first mention of the word "cytokine" (Cellular Immunology 12:150-159, 1974) and this book represents a timely reference for anyone interested in this area of biology.

4 Stars! from Doody