Synopsis
Over the past 20 years, technological advances in molecular biology have proven invaluable to the understanding of the pathogenesis of human cancer. The application of molecular technology to the study of cancer has not only led to advances in tumor diagnosis, but has also provided markers for the assessment of prognosis and disease progression. The aim of Molecular Ana- sis of Cancer is to provide a comprehensive collection of the most up-to-date techniques for the detection of molecular changes in human cancer. Leading researchers in the field have contributed chapters detailing practical pro- dures for a wide range of state-of-the-art techniques. Molecular Analysis of Cancer includes chapters describing techniques for the identification of chromosomal abnormalities and comprising: fluor- cent in situ hybridization (FISH), spectral karyotyping (SKY), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and microsatellite analysis. FISH has a pro- nent role in the molecular analysis of cancer and can be used for the detection of numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities. The recently described SKY, in which all human metaphase chromosomes are visualized in specific colors, allows for the definition of all chromosomal rearrangements and marker chromosomes in a tumor cell. Protocols for the detection of chromosomal re- rangements by PCR and RT-PCR are described, as well as the technique of DNA fingerprinting, a powerful tool for studying somatic genetic alterations in tumorigenesis.
From the Back Cover
Molecular biotechnology has in recent years produced significant advances in finding tumor markers useful in diagnosis and in the assessment of disease progression and prognosis. In Molecular Analysis of Cancer, leading researchers in the field describe in step-by-step detail their best state-of-the-art molecular techniques for elucidating the biochemical processes associated with human cancer. Among the techniques presented for identifying chromosomal rearrangements are fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), spectral karyotyping (SKY), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), microsatellite analysis, PCR and RT-PCR, and DNA fingerprinting. Additional methods include SSCP, DGGE, the nonisotopic RNase cleavage assay, and the protein truncation assay and DNA sequencing for identifying mutations. Techniques for the analysis of gene expression include microarray technology and differential display. All these techniques are of great value for identifying genes that are central to cancer development and progression.
Comprehensive and state-of-the-art, Molecular Analysis of Cancer not only offers today's researcher a deeper understanding of cancer's molecular pathogenesis, but also provides a detailed examination of each of the major methodologies needed to detect and analyze its associated genetic abnormalities.
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