CRC HDBK THRP BIOMARK CANC PDF

Preface

The advent of the era of the molecularly targeted therapy in oncology in addition to conventional multimodality management signifies more hope for cancer patients. The discovery, validation, and clinical applications of biomarkers of prognosis and prediction are advancing the promise of personalized medicine. The clinically validated therapeutic (predictive) biomarkers for targeted and chemotherapy agents approved for use or having potential to be approved by the regulatory agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration facilitate the evolution of empiric therapy to individually tailored treatment. In essence, therapeutic biomarkers and appropriately validated clinical assays facilitate treatment decision-making. We have clearly entered the epoch that patients can receive the right drugs with the right doses at the right time with greater assurance of maximal benefits and reduced risks.

In editing and organizing the Handbook of Therapeutic Biomarkers in Cancer, we have made every attempt to cover the growing numbers of promising predictive biomarkers and associated assays in the fields of oncology and cancer research. We hope that many readers—oncologists, health professionals, patients, scientists involved in basic, translational, and clinical research, educators, and students both medical and undergraduate—will find each chapter of this book a valuable source of information and guidance.

It has been a great privilege to be involved in editing this book. We express our sincere thanks to all authors who have contributed their expertise, experience, and hard work to this book for publication. In addition, we welcome comments for planning future editions