Molecular Biology of Cancer: Mechanisms, Targets, and Therapeutics 3rd Edition

The introductory book by Pecorino is a superb introduction to the molecular issues related to cancer. The book presents a highly readable and enlightening summary of many of the key issues of pathways and cancer. It can be used as a first step in this exciting field.The style is straightforward and all encompassing. It can be used by any student who is approaching the field for the first time and it can be an update refresher for those who may have been exposed in the past. It is not of the level of Weinberg but it does address all of the salient issues in a level of depth that allows for a ready follow on using the more in depth texts.I have used the second edition in the past as a guide to writing materials and obtaining a grasp of broad concepts and issues. The third edition is a superb follow on to the last one.Chapter 2 is a brief summary of DNA and its interaction in carcinogenesis. Chapter 3 is gene expression. I especially liked the discussion on epigenetic regulation which is a simple and direct coverage of this increasingly important area. Section 3.4 discusses epigenetics and cancer which is current and a critical topic.Chapter 4 is on growth factor signalling. I typically like to look at the process as a complete system, starting with a statement and model of ligands, receptors, cytoplasmic pathways and then transcription. Although this is done in parts the presentation as an integrated whole is important. The kinase cascades are discussed. One of the general weaknesses of many presentations is the discussion of just how do these proteins interact, at binding sites, and then whether or now one should use kinetic models applicable more appropriately to higher concentrations. Perhaps that goes into more depth than would be necessary but I find it useful for students who have the chemistry background to grasp the concepts. The diagrams are useful and provide constructural understanding.Chapter 5 discusses the cell cycle. The CDKs are the heart of much of this portion of mitotic growth and the author covers them in adequate detail.Chapter 6 discusses growth inhibition and tumor suppressor genes. The heart of this is the discussion of p53 the classic control gene. I would have liked a more detailed discussion of ubiquitin and also of the MDM proteins but again for the level of the text's audience the introduction is more than adequate.Chapter 9 on metastasis is simply stated and gives the reader a somewhat detailed overview. My only critique is that it would have been useful to have a bit more detailed discussion of the ECM, extracellular membrane, its structure, elements, and functions, with a separate subsection. The author does refer to it and provides a reasonable first step.The author blends therapeutics very well across the presentations showing how progress is made. I would have like some discussion of pathway dynamics. There are many books which detail these approaches but perhaps again this is a bit too much. One final nit is that the experimental basis of the results would be useful to have been added, for example by an Appendix.Overall the book is a superb addition to anyone's library on molecular cancer genomics.

Packed into 342 pages, this book is a handy, very readable and accessible summary of key learnings in cancer biology at the molecular level. It is not a book for the research scientist who wants details and in-depth discussion. This book is for the lay person who has some background in science and wants to learn more. The author has made the book very practical in a variety of ways. She has included a list of key centers for cancer research centers (academic and commercial) in the USA and UK. She has inserted "How Do We Know That" text boxes that deal with the experimental evidence underlying a key points in the story. There are also text boxes entitled "Pause and Think" that do just that - underscore key issues and pose challenging view points. I am preparing to teach a course in cancer therapies to non-scientist adults and am going to recommend that students use this as a reference for additional information. Lauren Pecorino has filled a hole in the cancer literature that helps to demystify an important and complex subject. By the way, after reading this book, I bought her follow-up book "Why Millions Survive Cancer." I haven't had a chance to read it carefully but am impressed by this thoughtful and original scientist-writer.Why Millions Survive Cancer: The Successes of Science

Please read Dr. McGarty's excellent review for details about this really well-written textbook. I'm an internist with an interest in cancer and my oncology training is 25 years old at this point. So, I wanted some "real science" connected to some "real medicine" and this text was perfect for that. To be honest, you need to read this with a white board or paper nearby and approach it as a student would. When she says, take a minute to see if you can diagram this pathway, better do it, because otherwise the progressions will lose you. The author has written a second book- Why Millions Survive Cancer that may be a better introduction for non-health care professionals actually. Both books are excellent; if you are an accountant with an interest in cancer, I would start with her second text "...Survive Cancer" and move to this one next. For health care folks with a serious interest, this text is truly wonderful (for all the reasons stated so eloquently in Dr. McGarty's review.