New Advances on Disease Biomarkers and Molecular Targets in Biomedicine, 2013

Rising occurrences of various diseases and epidemics have pressurized the already-burdened health system across the globe, and this imposes an unprecedented challenge on our current research in identifying disease-specific biomarkers and molecular targets, in particular for cancers, neurological disorders and unexplained infertility. Despite decades of efforts in deciphering the fundamental biology underlying various diseases at discrete levels using an array of advanced technologies, attempts to identify reliable and disease-indicating markers for detection and biomolecules or cellular structures for targeting are still in vain. This monograph describes and discusses the updated findings in this field with a specific aim to compile prior and recent literature and from there to acquire some insights to facilitate future research to expand options of understanding, detecting and treating diseases. Among the many possible areas of biomedical research, this content comprises two themes: disease biomarkers and molecular targets. The book also covers topics that are more advanced in development to emerging scientific discoveries. In particular, this monograph includes concepts on the renovated use of oncofetal molecules in cancer prediction and treatment, the evolving development in cancer biology at the cellular and molecular levels and the recent involvement on new classes of molecules in diseases. This book renews established concepts in the field, and at the same time leads to important insights for research and development of drugs, diagnostics, and interventions for managing diseases of unmet medical needs.

1. Non-receptor Protein Kinases c-Src, c-Yes and FAK are Biomarkers for Male Contraceptive Research

Xiang Xiao, Dolores D. Mruk, Pranitha Jenardhanan, Jayakanthan Mannu,Premendu P. Mathur, Will M. Lee, Bruno Silvestrini,Yan-ho Cheng, and C. Yan Cheng

2. Ankyrin Repeat and Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Box (ASB) Family Members for Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment

Victor Au and Nikki P. Lee

3. MicroRNA as Cancer Biomarkers and Targets

Kwong-Fai Wong, Xiaoou Jiang and John M. Luk

4. Oncofetal Molecules as Biomarkers and Drug Targets for Hepatic Cancer

Felix H. Shek, Tracy C.W. Lai, Sarwat Fatima, and Nikki P. Lee

Nelson S. Yee and Rosemary K. Yee

6. Circulating Biomarkers for Sophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Kenneth K. Lai, Kin-Tak Chan, Sarwat Fatima, Nikki P. Lee, and Simon Law

7. Using Genomic Biomarkers to Predict Patient Prognosis and Treatment Response in Gastric Cancer

Kakoli Das and  Patrick Tan

Renu Wadhwa, Rumani Singh, Zeenia Kaul, and Sunil C Kaul

9. Targeting Cancer Metabolisms

Angela M. Liu, Wei Wang, and  John M. Luk

10. Modulation of Autophagy as a Novel Cancer Therapeutic Strategy

Jianzhou Cui and Han-Ming Shen

11. Functional proteomics screening for novel anti-viral drug targets

Shengtao Zhou, Manchao Kuang, Xia Zhao, and  Canhua Huang

12. Identification of Tumor Antigens as Targets for Novel Anti-tumor Therapies

Yanyan Han and  Qing-Yu He

13. Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy

Qian Liu and Weiliang Xia

14. Chemoresistance in Glioma

Stella Sun, Derek Lee, and Gilberto K.K. Leung

Covers important topics, such as identification of drug targets and disease biomarkers

Provides a foundation for further development and advancement in biomedical research

Summarizes current research and highlights future prospective with an aim to pave the path for new direction