Molecular Cancer Therapeutics covers state-of-the-art strategies to identify and develop cancer drug target molecules and lead inhibitors for clinical testing. It provides a thorough treatment of drug target discovery, validation, and development. The introductory chapters provide an overview of pathways to discovery and development of molecular cancer therapeutics. Subsequent chapters progress from initial stages of drug target discovery to drug discovery, development, and testing in preclinical and clinical models. Topics include drug lead screening, drug-to-lead development, proof-of-concept studies, medicinal chemistry issues, intellectual property concerns, and clinical development.
This invaluable reference promotes understanding of steps involved in developing drug leads for industrial partnering and development. It provides an overview of the strategies for discovery and validation of drug target molecules, and discusses cell- and molecule-based drug screening strategies, as well as mouse models for cancer. Coverage also includes how to refine drug leads for suitability in clinical testing, the special issues of clinical testing of molecular-targeted drugs, and intellectual property concerns.

About the Author

Dr. George C. Prendergast was a Benjamin Franklin Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated magna cum laude with distinction in biochemistry in 1983. He received an M.S. in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University in 1984 and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Princeton University in 1989. He was an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellow at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at New York University and then Senior Research Biochemist at Merck and Co. before being appointed in 1993 to the faculty of The Wistar Institute. In 1995, Dr. Prendergast was recognized by an American Cancer Society Junior Faculty Award and he was named a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences. In 1999, Dr. Prendergast became Senior Director in the Cancer Research Group at DuPont Pharmaceuticals. In 2002, he was appointed a Senior Investigator at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical institute affiliated with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Dr. Prendergast is currently Senior Editor of Cancer Research, the leading journal in the field.

Reviews
"...this little book represents the ever-so-important 'and' that links research and development together in a logical and thoughtful manner...a valuable resource for scientists and clinicians alike..." (New England Journal of Medicine, January 27, 2005)

"...an excellent publication.... I recommended it for libraries...those involved in cancer research...those who teach pharmacy and medical students about drugs used in the treatment of cancer." (The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, December 2004)

"...provides an up-to-date overview of the different phases of drug discovery and preclinical development of experimental cancer principles." (Drug Discovery & Development, September 2004)

"...a most informative book, discussing the important evolution in the field of cancer therapeutics..." (American Journal of Therapeutics, July/August 2004)

Book Information
ISBN 9780471432029
Author George C. Prendergast
Format Hardback
Page Count 368
Imprint Wiley-Liss Inc.,U.S.
Publisher John Wiley & Sons Inc
Weight(grams) 830g
Dimensions(mm) 258mm * 185mm * 22mm