scope:

Preface

Human beings are exposed on a daily basis to a variety of genotoxic agents such as chemicals and ionizing radiations. Th e additional deleterious eff ects of mutations in key genes controlling proper DNA replication, oxidative stress defense mechanisms, DNA repair and apoptosis create a synergistic lethal weapon against organism's homeostasis and well-being. Changes in gene sequences and expression levels as well as protein structure and/or function have been associated with cancer predisposition and prognosis. Th ese 'molecular markers' or else biomarkers can be useful in early detection of cancer, determining prognosis and monitoring disease progression or therapeutic response. Because of the limitations of conventional epidemiological studies in accurately measuring exposure to many pollutants, scientists have developed molecular epidemiological approaches where they have incorporated molecular and cellular markers for improving disease incidence and thus mortality. It is therefore of outmost importance to present the current state of dependable bio-marker development and their use to human cancer predisposition, prognosis and treatment. Eminent experts from various scientifi c fi elds cover biomarker-related topics such as application to: cancer risk, cancer predisposition genes, early diagnosis and personalized treatment as well as current advances from the clinic.

Our book comprises a synthesis of concise and constructive review articles. Dr. Zhu and colleagues critically discuss the need for improving research on biomarkers for early detection and screening of cancers while Dr. Franco and colleagues review several biomarkers of oxidative stress in carcinogenesis. Dr. Bishayee's chapter focuses on the exciting potential of b-catenin as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in liver cancer. On the same direction, Dr. Lu and colleagues report on new innovative and promising urine non-invasive biomarkers for prostate cancer detection while Dr. Ruiz-Echevarria and colleagues focus on ectodomain shedding as a mechanism to generate cancer biomarkers (Ectomarkers). On a more mechanistic pathway direction, Drs. Mastellos and Nounesis' comprehensive review article discusses the breast cancer 1 carboxyl- terminal (BRCT) signaling 'landscape' and associated emerging concepts and implications in tumorigenesis and cancer diagnostics. Dr. Kletsas' extensive work targets cellular senescence and cancer development and specifi cally some 'antagonistic and synergistic relations' while Dr. Balatsos and colleagues report on the new and emerging era of microRNAs (miRNAs) and specifi cally miRNAs from regulators of gene expression to potential use as cancer biomarkers. Finally, on a more clinical direction and relating to personalized therapy, Dr. Oliver and colleagues, shed light on the potential application of targeting DNA repair protein PARP-1 in breast cancer and the paradigm of a DNA repair-based therapeutic strategy and Dr. Tran and Aziz's study targets the drugs statins in prostate cancer from the aspect of prevention and treatment. Last but not least, Dr. Panayiotidis and colleagues, discuss realistically mechanistic aspects of oxidative stress involvement in human environmental and occupational carcinogenesis.