Diagnostics and Therapeutic Advances in GI Malignancies

Gastrointestinal cancers are a group of cancers that affect the digestive system and include gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. GI cancers are the leading health problem in the world and their burden is increasing in many countries. This heavy burden is due to the lack of effective early detection methods and to the emergence of chemoradioresistance. Attempts at improving the outcome of GI cancers by incorporating cytotoxic agents such as chemo drugs have been so far disappointing. These results indicate that the main challenge remains in the primary resistance of GI cancer cells to chemotherapy in the majority of patients. Therefore, improvement in the outcomes of these malignancies is dependent on the introduction of new agents that can modulate the intrinsic and acquired mechanisms of resistance. 

The increased understanding of the biology, metabolism, genetic, epigenetic, and molecular pathways dysregulated in GI cancers has revealed the complexity of the mechanisms implicated in tumor development. These include alterations in the expression of key oncogenic or tumor suppressive miRNAs, modifications in methylation patterns, the upregulation of key oncogenic kinases, etc.

The individual books in this series will focus on the genetic basis of each gastrointestinal cancers, molecular pathophysiology, and different biomarkers to estimate cancer risk, detection of cancer at microscopic dimensions, and suitable and effectiveness of the therapies. In addition, the volumes will discuss the role of various signaling molecules/pathways and transcriptional factors in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment and effect on the tumor growth.

Lastly, it will elaborate the use of molecularly targeted drugs that have been proven to be effective for the treatment of GI cancers, with a focus on the emerging strategies. 

This edition will provide researchers and physicians with novel ideas and perspectives for future research that translates the bench to the bedside.