Overview
The microenvironment in which a tumor originates plays a critical role in its initiation and progression. Tumor Microenvironment reviews the importance of tumor microenvironment in cancer management. Particular emphasis is placed on discussing how the unique characteristics of the tumor microenvironment not only impact disease progression and response to conventional anticancer therapies, but have also led to the identification of potential new therapeutic targets and treatment possibilities for cancer patients. Tumor Microenvironment also reviews the fundamental basis of target development, preclinical assessment, and the current clinical status of these therapies.
Synopsis
The microenvironment in which a tumor originates plays a critical role in its initiation and progression. Tumor Microenvironment reviews the importance of tumor microenvironment in cancer management. Particular emphasis is placed on discussing how the unique characteristics of the tumor microenvironment not only impact disease progression and response to conventional anticancer therapies, but have also led to the identification of potential new therapeutic targets and treatment possibilities for cancer patients. Tumor Microenvironment also reviews the fundamental basis of target development, preclinical assessment, and the current clinical status of these therapies.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"Overall, it would be useful to basic scientists interested in understanding the role of stroma, in particular the role of hypoxia, in cancer progression." (Doody's, 16 September 2011)
"Tumor Microenvironment is informative and current. This field of study is already evolving beyond the microenvironment into the host systemic environment and the role of endocrine factors in tumor progression. If a second edition of the book is published, it will most certainly encompass these newly emerging concepts." (Elsevier, 2011)
From The Critics
Reviewer: Hidayatullah G. Munshi, MD(Northwestern University)Description: This book brings together experts to cover different aspects of the tumor microenvironment, detail its role and regulation in cancer progression, and discuss how it affects our ability to successfully treat cancer patients.
Purpose: "The purpose is to review the importance of the tumor microenvironment in cancer management, focusing on its unique features, how it contributes to tumor progression and metastasis, and how it limits current anticancer therapies. The book also reviews the interaction of tumor stem cells with the stroma. However, there is an overemphasis on the role of hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment and a lack of an adequate review of a number of topics relevant to the stroma. For example, only one chapter deals with inflammation, focusing only on tumor-associated macrophages. "
Audience: The book is written primarily for basic scientists, and to some extent for those involved in translational research. It's probably not accessible enough for clinicians who may be involved in the design of clinical trials. As we have come to realize the importance of the tumor microenvironment, more information related to how best to target the tumor microenvironment should have been included.
Features: The first few chapters give an overview of the tumor microenvironment, followed by chapters on leukemic microenvironment, bone microenvironment, and premetastatic niche. A third of the book discusses hypoxia-related topics. Only one chapter covers tumor-associated inflammation, focusing on tumor-associated macrophages. The book also discusses the issue of drug penetration and therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment.
Assessment: In its attempt to cover the increasingly important topic of the tumor microenvironment, this book places undue emphasis on the role of hypoxia. Compared to other recent books that also have examined the role of tumor microenvironment, this one does not provide sufficient translational aspects of the tumor microenvironment. Overall, it would be useful to basic scientists interested in understanding the role of stroma, in particular the role of hypoxia, in cancer progression.