According to the National Institute of Aging there are more than half a billion people over the age of 65 across the globe. This has led to a need for medical and psychiatric care on a scale unprecedented in history. In light of this increase in the global elderly population, the field of geriatric medicine has expanded and become multidisciplinary to accommodate the need of the elderly in the 21st century. This volume highlights research in geriatric medicine across different disciplines. Chapters of this volume cover public health and economic consequences of aging in USA, cognitive impairment in old age, geriatric ophthalmology, osteoporosis, sleep disorders, speech-language pathology and geriatric care. Readers – both medical students and researchers - will find these topics useful for understanding issues in geriatric medicine and can use this information to improve geriatric programs in the healthcare sector.

Young Perspectives for Old Diseases is a collaborative monograph describing the current understanding of common neurodegenerative diseases. The monograph focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for neurodegeneration and the scientific advances that have paved the way for potential therapeutic options for patients. Reviews presented in this book present carefully validated research findings. The book begins with a section devoted to general mechanisms of neuronal death and explains the challenges of translating the scientific discoveries to the clinic. In section two, there are reviews on specific cellular dysfunctions that are common to more than one form of neurodegenerative disease, exploring the universal pathophysiology responsible for degenerating neurones. Findings on common neurodegenerative diseases are also reviewed in further detail followed by information on advances in therapeutic techniques that could be translated to a clinical setting. This book is intended as a primer as well as an update for molecular biologists and medical researchers on the mechanism of neurodegeneration and progress in the treatment of associated diseases.

<p></p> Nanotheranostics is a recent medical field which integrates diagnostic imaging protocols and therapeutic functions to monitor real time drug release in the body and distribution to the target site. The combined processes allow technicians to observe the effectiveness of a specifically designed drug candidate and predict its possible side effects. All these features help clinicians in optimizing treatment options for cancer and other diseases for the individual patient. Current research is tailored to individual therapy because each drug may display a variety of responses depending on variations in an individual’s genetics and subsequently, their clinical biochemistry. Many tumors are still challenging for therapists in terms of available treatment and nanotheranostic strategies may help them to combat cancer more efficiently. <p></p> <p></p> Advances in Cancer Nanotheranostics for Experimental and Personalized Medicine presents information about current theranostic technologies in use at clinics and recent research on nanotheranostic applications, with a focus on cancer treatment. Information is presented in seven organized chapters that cover the basics of cancer nanotheranostics, tumor microenvironmental factors, gene therapy and gene delivery concepts, and the combined application of diagnostic imaging with cancer chemotherapy. A chapter focusing on the role of non-coding MRNAs in breast cancer carcinogenesis is also included, giving readers a glimpse of the complexities in the molecular biology of cancer which drive the need for new theranostic technologies. The book is of interest to medical professionals (including oncologists and specialists in internal medicine), diagnostic imaging technicians, and researchers in the fields of pharmacology, molecular biology and nuclear medicine. <p></p>

A malignant tumor is an actively growing tissue, composed of cells derived from a single cell line that has undergone irreversible differentiation. These cells are invasive and also metastasize in the body, resulting in malignant cancer. Recent research suggests that a malignant tumor originates from cancer stem cells (CSC) accompanied with physiological niches. Cancer Metastasis and Stem Cell/Niche explains the invasiveness and metastasis of cancer cells I the light of information gained from the CSC / niche theory. Five chapters present a review on the fundamental relationships between CSCs, their niche and metastasis, the regulation of cell surface glycan expression in CSCs, tumor endothelial cells and metastasis, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated premetastatic microenvironment, and in surgical cancer metastasis. This monograph is intended as a primary reference on CSC research for physiologists, clinical oncologists, stem cell researchers and molecular biologists.

Cancer is a major cause of deaths all around the globe. Although numerous anticancer drugs are available, most of them are expensive and have serious side effects. Natural compounds are usually non-toxic and inexpensive. Many such compounds have been identified and explored for their health benefits for centuries, and several nutritional factors derived from natural products have attracted considerable attention as therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Based on current available research, this ebook focuses on chemopreventive and anti-cancer activities of different natural/dietary compounds present in fruits, vegetable, spices, legumes, nuts, grains, and cereals. Contributions from authors around the world highlight the potential use of such derivatives against cancer treatment by presenting updated information of their biochemical mechanisms. Information in this book is intended for researchers, clinicians, patients, academicians, industrialists, and students seeking updated and critical information for their experimental plans (including clinical trials). The book also creates awareness among cancer patients, nutritionists and laymen about cost effective therapeutic alternatives available for cancer therapy.

Neuro-oncology is an embryonic field of cancer research with a number of clinical trials in progress. However, the prognosis on neuro-oncologic patients has remained poor. Moreover, several small scale phase I/II trials performed have proved to be inconclusive because of the limited number of patients involved. As a result, many controversies exist in neuro-oncology drug development for which a forum does not exist. This ebook presents a detailed account on the use of avastin in treating cancer patients. A discussion on clinical experiences and the controversial debate among researchers of avastin's role in restricting malignant gliomas is also included giving readers a diverse perspective on the rationale of treating CNS tumors.

Breast cancer is a recognized disease around the world with varying patient outcomes based on the type of breast cancer, access to healthcare and other factors. Survival rates for breast cancer are significantly lower in metastatic cases than localized cases. Early diagnosis and effective treatments for the efficient management of breast cancer are now in demand , as they help to prolong patient life. There have been many breakthrough developments in the molecular biology of breast cancer research in recent times. Advancements in diagnostic techniques (imaging and biomarker detection) for breast cancer have improved the screening of the disease and have improved patient outcomes. Despite these enhancements, the disease is still lethal for patients and the search for a cure requires a complete understanding of the disease. Current Advances in Breast Cancer Research: A Molecular Approach presents a comprehensive overview of current basic and translational research on the subject. The 14 chapters of the book give emphasis to current knowledge about breast cancer, ongoing challenges, and innovative research findings by different research groups. Readers will find detailed information about breast cancer biology, genetics, clinical diagnostics and treatments. Additional information for advanced readers in life sciences, such as techniques relevant to genomics (including genetic fingerprinting), proteomics, metabolomics and medicine (such as imaging and molecular diagnostics) is also provided. The combination of both basic and advanced information makes this book a useful reference to the student and researcher, alike, seeking an understanding about breast cancer at a molecular level.

Cancer is a broad group of diseases involving unregulated cell growth with elevated death rates as more people live in old age with mass lifestyle changes occurring in the world. The causes of cancer are diverse, complex, and still only partially understood. The chances of surviving the disease vary remarkably by the type and location of the malignancy and the extent of disease at the start of treatment. Early cancer detection is proving to be a valid approach. Cancer can be detected in a number of ways, including the presence of certain signs and symptoms, screening tests, or medical imaging. Cancer therapy is dynamically changing and revision and change in patient management is constant as our knowledge increases. Cancer is routinely treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Tailored cancer targeted therapy is becoming an emerging objective of today. In this book, a constructive group of cancer research experts bring the reader their shared vision, to give an extensive and realistic view of individual tumors such as breast, oral, prostate, gastric, and neuroendocrine tumors. New and contemporary terms and concepts in genetics and epigenetics, diet, anticancer treatments, and anticancer drug delivery systems are introduced in this volume. This reference highlights present experimental strategies and key findings that enhance our understanding of cancer and of future therapies. This eBook is aimed at a broad audience of undergraduates, medical students, PhDs, cancer researchers, and also cancer patient families with the goal to conceive a curiosity about the subjects presented that will hopefully lead to further studies.

Clinicians, patients and scientists, alike, have been battling cancer for over several decades; however, patient outcomes have not significantly improved over the years with conventional therapies. In recent years, this has caused researchers to look for a change in the status quo, and, the awareness of the human immune system, which has an intrinsic mechanism to control microbial pathogens and dysfunctional self-tissues, has triggered scientists to look for new modes of cancer therapy. Cancer Immunotherapy has become a major research field as a result of these efforts, gaining some recognition for notable breakthroughs in cancer patient prognosis. Frontiers in Cancer Immunology collectively presents the methods which have been studied and used in cancer immunotherapy based on the different components of human immune system. The series will give clinicians and immunologists a roadmap of current trends in all branches of cancer immunology. This volume lists the major immune system components (such as T cells and NK cells and associated antigens/antibodies) which have been demonstrated to limit the growth of or kill tumor cells. Relevant applications in cancer therapy are also included in addition to a general introduction to engineered as well as targeted cancer immunotherapies (cancer vaccines).

Over the past decades, systems biology approaches have been applied in different areas of life science research including oncology. Researchers now understand the hallmarks of cancer cells such as abnormal cell growth, inflammation, dysregulated metabolic pathways and drug resistance properties at a molecular level. Systems biology approaches have enabled researchers to investigate cancer immunology by identifying cancer related biomarkers on immune cells, and to study the effect of different therapies in tissue cultures and mouse models. Systems Biology in Cancer Immunotherapy explains the scope of systems biology in understanding the immune response to neoplasms. The book introduces readers to the concepts crucial to cancer immunology before delving into the applied systems biology topics such as the metabolic pathways in cancer cells, the biomolecular roles of signal transduction molecules and their respective biochemical pathways ad cancer immunotherapy. A brief conclusion at the end also provides some information from a clinical and commercial perspective on cancer immunotherapy. This volume is intended as an introductory reference for life science and medical students, researchers and academics interested in the application of systems biology to the immune system in oncology research and chemotherapy practice.