Biochemical Approaches to Cancer

Biochemical Approaches to Cancer focuses on biochemical approaches to cancer and covers topics ranging from the nature of carcinogens and their interactions with cell constituents to tissue composition and metabolism as affected by neoplasia. The metabolism of carbohydrates, fatty acids, proteins, and nucleic acids is also discussed, along with biochemical pharmacology. Comprised of nine chapters, this book begins with an overview of the nature of cancer, which includes basic concepts and terminology, histology, and the use of electron microscopy to study cells. The reader is then introduced to various approaches to the cancer problem; the nature of carcinogens and interactions with cell constituents; and the effect of neoplasia on tissue composition and metabolism. Subsequent chapters deal with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fatty acids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The book also considers the "control mechanisms" governing enzymic activities and their role in neoplastic transformation before concluding with an analysis of the biochemical pharmacology of anti-cancer drugs. This monograph will be useful to biochemists, oncologists, pharmacologists, research workers, and undergraduate or postgraduate students interested in the biochemistry of cancer.

Preface1 The Nature of Cancer Basic Concepts and Terminology Concepts Derived from Cancer Research (Oncology) Histology Tumors Precancerous Tissues Electron Microscopy Normal Cells Tumor and Precancerous Cells2 Approaches to the Cancer Problem Role of Different Disciplines Theories of Carcinogenesis Biochemistry and Cancer Research Test Material Use of Transplants Tumors Biochemically Comparable with Tissue of Origin Hepatomas Control Material for Hepatomas - Precancerous Liver Baselines for Expressing Results Delineation of Metabolic Derangements in Cancer Topics Worthy of Study Whole-Animal Experiments Experiments with Cell-Free Preparations3 Nature of Cancinogens and Interactions with Cell Constituents Experimental Induction of Cancer "Mechanical" Influences Hormonal or Dietary Imbalances Viruses Chemicals of Known Structure Specificity in Target and in Structure Molecular Properties in Relation to Carcinogenesis Alkylation Capacity in Relation to Carcinogenesis Metabolic Transformations of Carcinogens Reactivity of Carcinogens Towards Tissue Constituents Studies with Carcinogens in Vivo Studies with Carcinogens in Vitro.4 Tissue Composition and Metabolism as Affected by Neoplasia The Tumor-Bearing Host Toxohormone Abnormalities in Host Organs Blood and Urinary Constituents, and Relevance to Diagnosis Metastases Tumors and Precancerous Tissues: Areas of Study Various Tissue Constituents (Other Than Enzymes) Inorganic Constituents Vitamins Sialic Acid Various Enzymes Catalase Phosphatases Other Hydrolases Drug Metabolism and Some Catabolic Reactions Some Synthetic Reactions Lipid Levels and Phospholipid Metabolism Phospholipid Synthesis Choline Catabolism Cholesterol5 Carbohydrate and Fatty Acid Metabolism Catabolism of Carbohydrate Via Pyruvate: Early Observations Challenges to Warburg's Views Situation as Assessed in 1951 Catabolism of Carbohydrate Via Pyruvate: Newer Observations Observations with Isolated Mitochondria - Integration of Metabolic Observations Hexokinases and Glucose-6-Phosphatase Glycogen Metabolism and Gluconeogenesis Glycogen Catabolism Glycogen Synthesis Pentose-Phosphate Cycle Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Overall Rate of the Cycle.