An integrated presentation of the basic science and clinical applications of anticancer agents

Aimed at both undergraduate and postgraduate readers, this unique text provides readers with a fully-integrated presentation of all aspects of the science of anticancer drugs, including their chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical applications.

After heart disease, cancer is the number one killer worldwide, and the tumor microenvironment is forever changing, creating an ever-greater demand for safer, more effective anticancer agents. In response to that demand, the $100 billion cancer drug market continues to grow, with our increased understanding of cancer leading to new drugs being used clinically almost every year.

Anticancer Therapeuticsis divided into three sections. Section 1 is an introduction to cancer and therapeutics, and covers the etiology and cellular and molecular basis of cancer. In Section 2, the authors focus on the anticancer agents their discovery, synthesis, mode of action, mechanisms of resistance, and adverse reactions. Section 3 focuses on specific cancers, explaining how and why the various agents discussed in Section 2 are used, both individually and in combination, to treat different cancers.

Providing the reader with an integrated understanding of all aspects of the science of anticancer agents, this is an ideal textbook for undergraduates studying medicine, nursing, medicinal chemistry, pharmacy, pharmacology and other allied heath / life sciences. It is also a valuable bench reference for pharmacists, medics, and pharmaceutical researchers working in both academia and industry.

Adam Todd, PhD is Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Public Health in the School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, at Newcastle University, UK. He is registered pharmacist, and specializes in oncology and palliative care.

Paul W. Groundwater, PhD is Professor of Medicinal Chemistry in the Faculty of Pharmacy at The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Jason H. Gill, PhD is a Reader in Molecular Therapeutics in the School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, at Newcastle University, UK.

Preface xi

Section 1: Introduction 1

1.1 The Global Burden of Cancer 3

References 11

1.2 Cancer Staging and Classification 13

1.2.1 Benign Tumour (or neoplasm) 13

1.2.2 Malignant Tumour (or cancer) 14

1.2.3 Tumour Nomenclature and Classification 14

1.2.4 Cellular Differentiation and Tumour Grade 21

1.2.5 Tumour Invasion and Metastasis 24

1.2.6 Clinical Staging of Cancer 26

References 36

1.3 Cellular and Molecular Basis of Cancer 39

1.3.1 Oncogenes 40

1.3.2 Tumour Suppressor Genes 45

1.3.3 Role of Epigenetics and Gene Promoter Regulation in Tumourigenesis 49

1.3.4 Multistage Tumourigenesis 53

1.3.5 Oncogene Addiction 54

1.3.6 Hallmarks of Cancer 55

1.3.7 Principles of Cancer Treatment 73

References 77

Section 2: The Anticancer Agents 81

2.1 Agents Which Act Directly on DNA 83

2.1.1 Nitrogen Mustards and Nitrosoureas 83

References 96

2.1.2 Temozolomide 98

References 106

2.1.3 Platinum?]containing Agents 108

References 118

2.1.4 Gemcitabine 120

References 128

2.1.5 Camptothecin and Its Analogues 128

References 139

2.1.6 Podophyllotoxins 141

References 150

2.1.7 Anthracyclines 151

References 160

2.1.8 Epigenetic Targeting Agents 162

References 177

2.2 Antimetabolites 181

2.2.1 Cytarabine 181

References 183

2.2.2 Methotrexate 184

References 195

2.2.3 5?]Fluorouracil 196

References 205

2.2.4 6?]Mercaptopurine 206

References 210

2.3 Antimicrotubule Agents 211

2.3.1 Taxanes 211

References 224

2.3.2 Vinca Alkaloids 225

References 231

2.4 Anti?]hormonal Agents 233

2.4.1 Bicalutamide 233

References 239

2.4.2 Tamoxifen 240

References 247

2.4.3 Anastrozole 248

References 254

2.5 Kinase Inhibitors 257

2.5.1 Discovery 257

2.5.2 Synthesis 262

2.5.3 Mode of Action 267

2.5.4 Mechanism of Resistance 268

2.5.5 Adverse Drug Reactions 268

References 271

Section 3: The Cancers 275

3.1 Breast Cancer 277

Key points 277

3.1.1 Epidemiology 277

3.1.2 Presentation 279

3.1.3 Diagnosis 282

3.1.4 Staging 283

3.1.5 Treatments 285

References 289

3.2 Colorectal Cancer 293

Key points 293

3.2.1 Epidemiology 293

3.2.2 Presentation 294

3.2.3 Diagnosis 296

3.2.4 Staging 298

3.2.5 Treatments 299

References 303

3.3 Leukaemia 307

Key points 307

3.3.1 Epidemiology 307

3.3.2 Presentation 310

3.3.3 Diagnosis 311

3.3.4 Staging 313

3.3.5 Treatments 314

References 319

3.4 Lung Cancer 323

Key points 323

3.4.1 Epidemiology 323

3.4.2 Presentation 327

3.4.3 Diagnosis 327

3.4.4 Staging 330

3.4.5 Treatments 330

References 337

3.5 Oesophageal Cancer 339

Key points 339

3.5.1 Epidemiology 339

3.5.2 Presentation 340

3.5.3 Diagnosis 341

3.5.4 Staging 344

3.5.5 Treatments 346

References 350

3.6 Ovarian Cancer 353

Key points 353

3.6.1 Epidemiology 353

3.6.2 Presentation 354

3.6.3 Diagnosis 356

3.6.4 Staging 357

3.6.5 Treatments 357

References 363

3.7 Pancreatic Cancer 367

Key points 367

3.7.1 Epidemiology 367

3.7.2 Presentation 368

3.7.3 Diagnosis 370

3.7.4 Staging 371

3.7.5 Treatments 373

References 375

3.8 Prostate Cancer 379

Key points 379

3.8.1 Epidemiology 379

3.8.2 Presentation 381

3.8.3 Diagnosis 382

3.8.4 Staging 384

3.8.5 Treatments 387

References 391

3.9 Skin Cancers 393

Key points 393

3.9.1 Epidemiology 393

3.9.2 Presentation 394

3.9.3 Diagnosis 395

3.9.4 Staging 396

3.9.5 Treatments 399

References 403

3.10 Testicular Cancer 405

Key points 405

3.10.1 Epidemiology 405

3.10.2 Presentation 407

3.10.3 Diagnosis 407

3.10.4 Staging 409

3.10.5 Treatments 409

References 414

Index 417