From Melanocytes to Melanoma

• Melanocyte Development and Function.- The Origin and Development of Neural Crest-Derived Melanocytes.- MITF.- MITF.- Melanocytes and the Transcription Factor Sox10.- Human Cutaneous Pigmentation.- Melanocyte Distribution and Function in Human Skin.- Melanocyte Transformation and Progression to Melanoma.- Altered Signal Transduction in Melanoma.- BRN2 in Melanocytic Cell Development, Differentiation, and Transformation.- The Dynamic Roles of Cell-Surface Receptors in Melanoma Development.- Familial Melanoma Genes, Melanocyte Immortalization, and Melanoma Initiation.- Genetic Progression From Melanocyte to Malignant Melanoma.- The Multiple Roles of the Oncogenic Protein SKI in Human Malignant Melanoma.- RB/E2F Regulation and Dual Activity in the Melanocytic System.- Melanoma Development and Pigment Cell Transformation.- The Biology and Genetics of Melanoma.- The Biology of Xeroderma Pigmentosum.- Divergent Pathways to Cutaneous Melanoma.- Pigmentation, DNA Repair, and Candidate Genes.- Low-Penetrance Genotypes, Pigmentation Phenotypes, and Melanoma Etiology.- The Biology of Melanoma Progression.- Optical Imaging Analysis of Atypical Nevi and Melanoma.- Proteomics Analysis of Melanoma Cell Lines and Cultured Melanocytes.- Primary Invasive Melanoma to Metastatic Melanoma.- Paradigm of Metastasis for Malignant Melanoma.- Repair of UV-Induced DNA Damage and Melanoma Risk.- High-Risk Factors for Melanoma Metastasis.- Role of Melanoma Inhibitory Activity in Early Development of Malignant Melanoma.- Role and Regulation of PAR-1 in Melanoma Progression.- Molecular Mechanisms of Melanoma Metastasis.- Overview of Tumor Progression in Melanoma.- The Plasticity of Melanoma Cells and Associated Clinical Implications.- The Clinical Use of Molecular Markers as Predictors of Disease Outcome and Response to Therapy in Malignant Melanoma.- The Role of DCT/TYRP2 in Resistance of Melanoma Cells to Drugs and Radiation.- How Melanoma Cells Evade Chemotherapy.- Apoptosis in Melanoma.- Role of Melanoma-Associated Antigens.- Host Responses to Melanoma.- Future Perspectives.

From the reviews: "...this compendium of current thinking is recommended reading for anyone with an interest in pigmentation and cancer and a valuable resource for any library." -Melanoma Research "This book, the first of its kind on melanoma, details the current state of our knowledge ... . should be viewed as an important resource for understanding the broad field of melanocyte and melanoma biology. Newcomers to the field ... will find this book extremely useful. ... This book captures the tremendous progress made in the field ... . It is a valuable resource for biologists and basic scientists ... as well as for pathologists; dermatologists, surgeons, and medical oncologists ... ." (Lynn M. Schuchter, The New England Journal of Medicine, March, 2007) "...captures the tremendous progress made in the field...will help to propel the field to new successes...a valuable resource for biologists and basic scientists interested in the biology of pigment cells as well as for pathologists, dermatologists, surgeons, and medical oncologists interested in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma." -New England Journal of Medicine "The editors have compiled a highly prestigious group of authors, who are leaders in the field of melanocyte and melanoma research, to present a very comprehensive exposition of the current knowledge of melanocyte biology and melanoma. ... As a clinical researcher, I found ... it fascinating, yielding a tremendous appreciation for the meticulous and extensive work that has been done to date, some of which has and more of which will very likely provide leads to clinical interventions." (Janice P. Dutcher, Medical Oncology, Vol. 23 (3), 2006) "An extremely detailed book on each of the various pathways, growth factors, and oncogenes affecting the melanocyte. This is a comprehensive review and ... physicians such as dermatologists, pathologists, and oncologists will find it helpful. It is very thorough in its presentation of cellular events ... . This book will serve primarily as a reference for basic scientists and biologists. Physician scientists will also use the book. Clinicians may find the book highly detailed, with more information then they require." (Mary C. Martini, Doody's Review Service, July, 2006)