Cancer Forum

TUMOR-SUPPRESSINGVIRUSES, GENES, AND DRUGSH Maruta (ed)Published by Academic Press (2002)ISBN: 0-12-476249-2. 415 pages plus index.RRP: A$249.70The target audience for this compact bookincludes research scientists, academics,undergraduate and graduate students. There aretwenty chapters, comprising topics ranging fromcell surface receptors, integrins, to signaltransducers and nuclear proteins including cellcycle regulators, as well as useful chapters ononcolytic viruses, key tumour suppressors andangiogenesis.Each area is comprehensively addressed – the text places eachmolecule of interest in the context of its signalling pathway(s),and describes the mechanisms by which these gene products arederegulated in cancer. Experimental models aimed at restoringgrowth control using target-specific molecular biology aresummarised. Where available, in vivo models are also described,including information on agents entering phase I and II clinicalstudies. In the latter case, the basic science, rather that clinicaloutcome data is the main focus. Detailed attentionto referencing is notable.There is a good deal of local content; severalchapters were written by Australians withrecognised expertise in their respective fields.Authors include Tony Burgess, Marc Achen,Steven Stacker and Hiroshi Maruta (also theeditor).This book would be a suitable reference source ina research institution or clinical trials group library.It should appeal to basic scientists curious tounderstand diverse areas of tumour biology andwhere each field is heading in terms oftranslational research.G LindemanDepartment of Medical Oncology,Royal Melbourne Hospital andThe Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research,Melbourne, Vicbookreviews145Cancer Forum ■ Volume 26 Number 2 ■ July 2002