The book by Robert, the Textbook of cancer signaling, is one
of the best works on cell signaling available as an introduction. As the author
indicates in the preface the intent is for oncologists to obtain a better
perspective of the issues associated with the wealth of new therapeutics as
well as some of the key issues behind their introduction. For the most part the
work is a high level, but not simplistic, organization and presentation of the
key signaling paths. The general approach is to detail one class of paths after
another and describe in excellent detail the elements of those pathways and how
they function. Then there is a brief exposition of how aberrations in the
pathways lead to oncogenic effects and then a discussion on pharmacological
possibilities. This is done chapter by chapter.
The author’s collection and organization is superb and it
presents the reader with an organization that they can come back to time and
time again. He covers kinases, including MAP and other elements, cytokines,
TGF, G protein, Wnt, Notch, and Hedgehog. He also discusses integrins and a
collection of adhesion molecules. There is a discussion of B and T cell issues
including Toll Like receptors and lymphocytic receptors. He ends with excellent
discussions on cell cycle control as well as apoptosis.
The Appendices are superb summaries of DNA control, gene
expression and protein activity. Overall this is a book that should be on the
desk of almost every oncologist and it is an excellent summary for those
involved in pathway analysis and their implications.
The most important elements of the book are the author’s
organization and integration. It is simple, straightforward and touches on all
the current elements under consideration.
This is not a book for the specialist but it is worth
reading by those deeply involved in that work to see haw one person who truly
understands the depth and breadth sees it structured.
On the side of a critique, and this is hard given the superb
effort displayed, issue such as epigenetic factors should have gotten some bit
of discussion. Specifically the issue of methylation and miRNA silencing need
to be integrated into the overall signaling fabric. However that would clearly
have extended and expanded the work
Also the reader should not look at this as a reference book,
it was not intended as such.
Finally my only one negative is the lack of an Index. That
most likely is a publisher problem and not the author’s problem. The lack of an
index is not that serious since the author has organized the book so well it is
almost not necessary.
I would strongly recommend this book for anyone seeking to
learn pathway issues in cancer and those who are deeply involved already. The
logical wholeness of the work is worth understanding by all.
Posts
