Treating cancer has always been a major challenge. Although great strides in treatment have taken place in recent years, all too often current treatments are less than effective, or patients relapse. Newer methods of cancer treatment, namely targeted therapy and immunotherapy, have generated great excitement in the scientific community. These newer methods of cancer treatment hold promise for patients who otherwise may have few options. Also, in the case of immunotherapy, responses to treatment can be maintained even after a cycle of treatments is complete.

This book discusses all the basics of cancer for the general reader, including characteristics and development of cancer, diagnosis, and classification. Standard methods of cancer treatment are discussed, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. The rationale and development of targeted therapies are presented. The immune system as it relates to cancer is explained, followed by the presentation of the main categories of immunotherapy, including checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapy, and cancer vaccines.

Published by Mercury Learning and Information