Kurt S. Zänker

Srini V. Kaveri

Since ancient times the mistletoe plant has been used for healing diseases. Today mistletoe extract therapy is among the most thoroughly studied complementary treatments in Europe. Several studies and meta-analyses have shown it to be beneficial for cancer patients in terms of survival, improved quality of life and minimised side effects of cancer chemotherapy. This book gives an overview of the research on mistletoe therapy from antiquity to the present. Topics discussed include the cultural and medical history of mistletoe, the diversity of the plant ́s molecular constituents, and its anticancer activities including cytotoxicity and immunomodulation. A timeline of the development of mistletoe research is presented. Special attention is given to the application of mistletoe extracts as a supportive treatment in glioblastoma, after cancer surgery and in cancer-related fatigue. This timely publication is a treasure trove for oncologists devoted to a holistic tumor therapy, caregivers of cancer patients, pharmacologists interested in phytomedicine and medical historians.

From Mythology to Evidence-based Medicine

Mistletoe

Thomas Dittmar

This book summarizes the latest findings about the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in cancer biology and how this knowledge could be used for novel anticancer therapies. It provides an overview of CSCs in selected malignancies with particular emphasis on hematopoietic neoplasias. It then reviews the role of CSCs in metastasis formation and initiation of cancer relapses. It also examines the dark side of cancer therapy such as conventional cancer therapies that may lead to the origin of recurrence CSCs. Finally, it supplies a brief overview of current concepts that may allow for a selective eradication of CSCs.

Role of Cancer Stem Cells in Cancer Biology and Therapy

Although cell fusion is an omnipresent process in life, to date considerably less is still known about the mechanisms and the molecules being involved in this biological phenomenon in higher organisms. In Cell Fusion in Health and Disease Vol 1 & Vol 2 leading experts will present up-to-date overviews about cell fusion in physiological and patho-physiological processes, which further covers the current knowledge about cell fusion-mediating molecules. Volume 1 deals with Cell Fusion in Health and will cover aspects of cell fusion in fertilization, placentation, in C. elegans, in skeletal muscle development and tissue repair, and the use of cell fusion for cellular reprogramming and cancer vaccine development. Volume 2 focuses on Cell Fusion in Disease with a particular emphasis on the role of cell fusion in cancer development and progression. Thus, Cell Fusion in Health and Disease Vol 1 & Vol 2 represents a state-of-the-art work for researchers, physicians or professionals being interested in the biological phenomenon of cell fusion and beyond.

I: Cell Fusion in Health

Cell Fusion in Health and Disease

Stem Cell Biology in Health and Disease presents an up-to-date overview about the dual role of stem cells in health and disease. The Editors have drawn together an international team of experts providing chapters which, in this fully-illustrated volume, discuss: - the controversial debate on the great expectations concerning stem cell based regeneration therapies raised by the pluripotency of various stem cells. - the advantages and concerns about embryonic stem cells (ES cells), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) and adult stem cells, such as bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMDCs). - the type of stem cells, which has become of interest in the past decade, namely so-called cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are now in the focus of cancer research since the eradication of tumour initiating cells would raise the changes of definitely cure cancer. Professor Dittmar and Professor Zänker have edited a must-read book for researchers and professionals working in the field of regenerative medicine and/or cancer.

Kurt S. Zänker

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