• Show how an understanding of the molecular processes underpinning cancer can be directly applied to the development of new therapeutics, giving students a clear appreciation of how the theory relates to real life scenarios.
• Provides a carefully structured overview of the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell replication, and relates defects in these mechanisms to the onset of cancer, so that students can clearly see the link between the two.
• Draws on the latest research in this dynamic field but presents it in a manner readily accessible to the student; clarity is not sacrificed to achieve a contemporary account of the field.
• Online Resource Centre features additional resources for both lecturers and students, enhancing the value of this text as a teaching and learning tool.

New to this edition

• Three new chapters. 'The Cell Cycle' gives extended treatment of this central aspect of cancer biology. 'Infections and Inflammation' focuses on the relationship between infectious agents and inflammation, and the onset of cancer. 'The Cancer Industry' gives an overview of the process through which drugs are developed and tested, setting the therapeutics theme that runs through the book in a professional context.
• Enhanced coverage of apoptosis.
• Over 25 new figures plus a new colour plate section, to further support and illustrate concepts presented in the written text.
• A new 'How do we know that?' feature, in which experimental methods and results are discussed, giving students an insight into how our understanding of cancer biology is developed.
• An extended glossary, to help those new to the subject grasp the terminology used.

Readership: Advanced undergraduates and beginning graduates on biochemistry, molecular cell biology, and biomedical-related programmes of study.

Lauren Pecorino, University of Greenwich, UK

"I found this book very very helpful in understanding this otherwise very difficult subject. I think this is the only book which has been written for the learners. The writing style, illustrations and the unique features like 'pause and think' are unprecendented and very helpful. Lauren Pecorino must be a very good teacher." - Dr Waqqar Ali, Registrar Radiation Oncology, Cork University Hospital

"Review of current edition: The textbook is clearly written and the author does a great job of introducing some of the more fundamental concepts. The book is organized well and the topics flow smoothly and logically. The book also nicely pulls in current therapeutic approaches with the molecular lesions that are responsible for the generation of cancer. " - Professor Deobrah Vestal, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, USA.

"Review from previous edition The author's infectious enthusiasm as a teacher comes across on every page of this beautifully illustrated book. To guide her readers through this increasingly complex field, she introduces some novel features, including "Special interest" boxes, sections labelled, "Pause to think," well-designed chapter highlights and aids to "Memory refreshment." Given the speed of development of this field, the book is remarkably up to date." - Sir David Weatherall, Emeritus Regius Professor of Medicine, Oxford University in THES Textbook Guide - February 2006

1: Introduction
2: DNA structure and stability: mutations vs. repair
3: Regulation of gene expression
4: Growth factor signaling and oncogenes
5: The cell cycle
6: Growth inhibition and tumor suppressor genes
7: Apoptosis
8: Stem cells and differentiation
9: Metastasis
10: Infections and inflammation
11: Nutrients, hormones, and gene interactions
12: The Cancer Industry: drug development and clinical trial design
13: Cancer in the future: focus on diagnostics and immunotherapy