Melanoma Techniques and Protocols: Molecular Diagnosis, Treatment, and Monitoring(61 Methods in Molecular Medicine)

In Melanoma Techniques and Protocols: Molecular Diagnosis, Treatment, and Monitoring, a broadly diverse group of researchers and clinicians offer not only reviews of the most important recent advances in melanoma oncology, tumor immunology, and pathology, but also state-of-the-art molecular techniques for probing its basic biology. These readily reproducible methods can be used to develop new diagnostic approaches, therapeutics, and status monitoring of patients suffering both early- and late-stage melanoma. With emphasis on the experimental details critical to experimental success, each method is described in step-by-step fahion by hands-on masters, often those who have developed hem in their own laboratories. Comprehensive and highly instructive, Melanoma Techniques and Protocols: Molecular Diagnosis, Treatment, and Monitoring offers both clinicians and basic scientists concerned with malignant melanoma both new clinical perspectives and the wide ranging experimental protocols essential for achieving more rapid breakthroughs in this near-epidemic disease.

Table of Contents:
Biology.- The Many Molecular Mysteries of Melanoma.- Isolation of Tumor Suppressor Genes in Melanoma by cDNA Microarray.- Molecular Characterization of Melanoma-Derived Antigens.- Experimental Induction of Human Atypical Melanocytic Lesions and Melanoma in Ultraviolet-Irradiated Human Skin Grafted to Immunodeficient Mice.- Dissection of Immunosuppressive Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation.- Antisense Oligonucleotides as Research Tools.- Diagnosis.- Genetic Testing in Familial Melanoma.- Role of Molecular Biology in Diagnostic Pathology of Melanoma.- Identification of Altered Gene Expression Associated with Pigmentary Lesions by Differential Display Analysis.- Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization as a Tool in Molecular Diagnostics of Melanoma.- Treatment.- Antigen-Pulsed Dendritic Cell Approach to Melanoma.- Gene Therapy in Melanoma.- Use of Gene Gun for Genetic Immunotherapy.- Role of Cytokines in Pathology of Melanoma and Use of Biologic Response Modifiers in Melanoma.- Surgical Techniques for Treatment of Primary Cutaneous Melanoma.- Monitoring.- Utility of Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy for Prospective Analysis of Patients Undergoing Therapy for Metastatic Melanoma.- A Molecular Technique Useful in the Detection of Occult Metastases in Patients with Melanoma.- Immunoscope Analysis of T-Lymphocytes Infiltrating Melanocytic Tumors.- T-Cell Receptor Clonotype Mapping Using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis.- Methods for Use of Peptide-MHCTetramers in Tumor Immunology.

Review :
Foreword by Leroy Hood Finalist for the Book of the Year Award, Health Science Books, 2001.-Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal "The topics covered are broad and, appropriately for a book concerned with techniques and protocols, the text is very detailed in places. There are chapters on analysis of gene expression, isolation of tumor suppression genes in melanoma, characterization of melanoma antigens, differential display analysis, and techniques that aim to reflect the extent of disease based on analyses of lymph node material and blood. All of these topics are important for those who want to be at the margin of advances in research. . .anybody interested in melanoma research or therapy should ensure the book is in their university or departmental library."-Journal of Investigative Dermatology "This book focuses on the most important molecular advances in melanoma epidemiology, carcinogenesis, diagnosis, pathology, and treatment. It uniquely provides state-of-the-art molecular techniques to allow novel and reproducible investigation by melanoma researchers worldwide. . .The book is directed towards clinicians and diagnosticians (dermatologists, pathologists, surgeons, and oncologists) with a dedicated, academic melanoma practice and to basic science investigators studying the molecular biology, tumor immunology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of melanoma. The author has assembled a team of renowned molecular biologists and melanoma experts to contribute to the text and is a credible authority on the subject matter. . .Four main areas addressing melanoma biology, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring from the molecular level to the clinical level comprise the book. It focuses on modern genomics and specific molecular techniques such as cDNA microarray, differential display analysis, in situ hybridization, gene therapy, RT-PCR analysis, peptide-MHC tetramer assay, and gel electrophoresis, and provides state-of-the artmelanoma research. Most importantly, it provides specific scientific protocols to ensure reproducibility in other laboratories. . .The book is far-reaching in its goal of enhancing the investigative efforts of melanoma researchers worldwide to promote chances of clinical breakthroughs in the field of melanoma."-Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal "Comprehensive and highly instructive, this volume offers clinicians and basic scientists concerned with malignant melanoma both rich new clinical perspectives and the wide ranging experimental protocols essential for achieving more rapid breakthroughs in this near-epidemic disease." - Anticancer Research "...anybody interested in melanoma research or therapy should ensure the book is in their university and departmental library." -Journal of Investigative Dermatology "Comprehensive and highly instructive, Melanoma Techniques and Protocols: Molecular Diagnosis, Treatment, and Monitoring offers clinicians and basic scientists concerned with malignant melanoma both rich new clinical perspectives and the wide-ranging experimental protocols essential for achieving more rapid breakthroughs in this near-epidemic disease." -Tumori "The book represents an outstanding work, which should not be missed in all laboratories dealing with melanoma as well as in all departments where melanoma patients are diagnosed and treated." -Neoplasma "This book on the biology, immunology, pathology and microbiology of melanoma deserves a place in the library of all units with a specific interest in melanoma research and management...recommended for anybody working in the field of microbiology. It gives a good overview of the entire field of melanoma microbiology and enables those with a specialised interest in a specific area of microbiology to review and utilise the work of other researchers in this importatn and rapidly developing field." -Cancer Forum "Comprehensive and highly instructive, Melanoma Techniques and Protocols: Molecular Diagnosis, Treatment, and Monitoring offers clinicians and basic scientists concerned with malignant melanoma both rich new clinical perspectives and the wide ranging experimental protocols essential for achieving more rapid breakthroughs in this near-epidemic disease." -Tumori