Prostate Cancer by Stabiano is a recent contribution to the
field of literature discussing the genetic underpinnings of this disease. It is
a multi-author work by those at the University of Naples and surrounding
institutions. It consists of eighteen chapters and the focus is on describing
the recent efforts on various elements of the genetic bases of prostate cancer.
Each chapter is prepared by one or more of the authors and covers a somewhat
specific topic.
Chapter 1 is a well written summary of pathological methods
of current use in diagnosing PCa and its related presentations. The materials
is well presented and sets the stage for the discussions regarding the genetic
elements.
Chapter 2 sets the tone of the remaining Chapters. This
Chapter discusses inflammation. Its style is carried through the remainder of
the book. Namely the author presents briefly the importance of inflammation and
then proceeds through the most recent literature on a topic by topic basis
covered in one to two sentences. The presentation is more akin to a literature
survey rather than an introduction or even detailed discussion of inflammation
in PCa. Inflammation has always been a concern in PCa and its study has been
spotty at best. To understand inflammation and its effects one must understand
what genes may be affected as well as the impacts on methylation and miRNAs.
This becomes a somewhat circular analysis and the authors set up each
separately and on a somewhat standalone basis.
Chapter 3 is on apoptosis. This is a key element in almost
and cancer. This is a well done chapter and does try to tie together some of
the elements. The especially useful addition is the discussion on non-apoptotic
elements which is fairly complete and of significant interest to those seeking
an expansion of this work.
Chapter 4 discusses the AR, androgen receptor, dynamics and
it again follows the style of reviewing and commenting upon the current
literature. Chapter 5 does likewise for neuroendocrine issues.
Chapter 6 is an excellent chapter on metastasis. It covers a
great deal of the current work including for example that on ALDH1A1 and
potentially ALDH1A3. The graphics are generally good and useful. Chapters 7-11
continue the discussion of pathways and their interactions.
Chapter 12 is a discussion of epigenetic factors including
methylation and miRNAs. This is a powerful area of research and it would be
useful to have expanded the discussion. Whether or not SNP issues fit here as
well is an open debate. However, epigenetic factors are becoming significant in
understanding many cancers, since they can change expression while leaving DNA
in its original form. Epigenetics blocks mRNA from converting into their
operative proteins. This may then become a viable path for a therapeutic.
The remaining chapters cover a wide variety of related
topics. All are written in the same manner
Overall the books is an excellent source of accessing the
literature. It is, however, neither an introduction for those seeking to
understand all of the elements, nor is it a standalone text useful for in depth
understanding. I would strongly recommend it for those studying the genetic factors
associated with PCa. It is an excellent addition and expands understanding the
literature. However it is not for the individual seeking a first exposure and
it is not a document which attempts to provide unification of the topic.
I would like to have seen some detailed discussion on the
issues associated with the loss of cell fixation by the breakdown of the
extra-cellular matrix adhesion. I would also have like to see a more detailed
discussion of the pathways and their interactions. So much of the book is a
single sentence statement of third party work that the sense of cohesion is oftentimes
missing.
Overall, however, this is definitely worth having as a
reference source for those in the field.
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