Author Profile

M.J. Harrington is a distinguished researcher, molecular oncologist, and academic whose groundbreaking work has significantly advanced our understanding of cellular malignancy. With over two decades of experience at the forefront of cancer research, Harrington has dedicated his career to deciphering the complex genetic and biochemical mechanisms that drive tumor growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Harrington’s rigorous scientific foundation began at Harvard University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Oncology and Cancer Biology from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, focusing his doctoral research on the epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes. Following his graduate studies, Harrington completed a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where he contributed to pivotal discoveries regarding the role of the microenvironment in pancreatic cancer progression. Currently serving as a Professor of Oncology and Director of the Center for Cancer Genomics, Dr. Harrington splits his time between cutting-edge clinical trials and academic mentorship. His laboratory has received multi-million dollar grants from major federal health institutes to investigate the microenvironmental factors that allow malignant cells to evade the human immune system. He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed articles in elite scientific publications—including Nature, Science, and Cancer Cell—and is a frequent keynote speaker at global oncology summits.

About The Book

The Biology of Cancer bridges the gap between chaotic clinical presentations and the elegant, universal rules of cellular biology. Far more than a mere academic compilation, this definitive text acts as a grand narrative of scientific triumph and continuous exploration. It synthesizes decades of groundbreaking oncology research into a coherent, deeply engaging framework. Whether you are an undergraduate taking your first steps into biomedical research, a medical student anchoring your clinical training, or a seasoned professional seeking a robust benchtop reference, this book provides an unparalleled look into the mechanics of humankind’s most formidable medical adversary. Cancer has historically been feared as a complex maze of erratic, untamable cellular behaviors. It masterfully dismantles this perception, guiding readers to see cancer as a manageable, logical discipline. The book details the underlying rules that govern how a healthy cell transforms into a malignant entity, focusing on core areas. This text is a deep dive into how cells bypass internal checkpoints, evade destruction, and achieve limitless replicative potential. Demystifying the complex ecosystem where malignant cells corrupt and recruit surrounding healthy tissues to foster their own survival. Unpacking the genetic and physical alterations, such as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), that allow cancer to travel and seed itself throughout the human body. Exploring the intricate battle between a mutating genome and the host immune system trying to destroy it.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

1.1 Introduction
1.2 What is cancer?
1.3 The cell cycle
1.4 Apoptosis
1.5 Chromosomes and cancer
1.6 Inherited vs. sporadic cancer
1.7 The multistage nature of cancer development
1. ONCOGENES

2.1 Viruses and cancer
2.2 Cellular oncogenes
2.3 Oncogenes in human tumors
1. TUMOR SUPPRESSOR GENES

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Evidence for the existence of tumor suppressor genes
3.3 Retinoblastoma—RB1
3.4 TP53 (p53)
3.5 APC
3.6 BRCA1 and BRCA2
3.7 WT1
3.8 NF1 and NF2
3.9 VHL
3.10 TSC1 and 75C2
3.11 PTCH
3.12 Interaction and differences between oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes

1. CELL CYCLE CONTROL GENES AND MISMATCH REPAIR GENES
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases
4.3 Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors
4.4 Progression and control of the cell cycle
4.5 Cyclins, CDKs and CKIs in cancer
4.6 Mismatch repair genes
1. HEREDITARY CANCERS

5.1 Introduction
5.2 Inherited cancer syndromes
5.3 Procedures for genetic testing
5.4 Familial colon cancer
5.5 Familial breast and breast/ovarian cancer
5.6 Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS)
5.7 Multiple endocrine neoplasia
5.8 Von Hippel Lindau syndrome (VHL)
5.9 Familial renal cell cancer
5.10 Familial paraganglioma
5.11 Neurof ibromatoses
5.12 Gorlin syndrome
5.13 Tuberous sclerosis
5.14 Familial gastric cancer
5.15 Familial melanoma
5.16 Hereditary prostate cancer
5.17 Conclusion
1. LUNG CANCER

6.1 Introduction
6.2 Pathology
6.3 Clinical features
6.4 Genetic factors and individual susceptibility
6.5 Molecular alterations in lung cancer
6.6 Tumor suppressor genes
6.7 Oncogenes
6.8 Growth factors and receptors
6.9 Mesothelioma
6.10 Multiple primary tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract
6.11 Implications for therapy
1. COLORECTAL CANCER

7.1 Introduction
7.2 The adenoma-carcinoma sequence
7.3 Genetic changes in sporadic colorectal cancer—the role of oncogenes
7.4 Genetic changes in sporadic colorectal cancer—the role of tumor suppressor genes
7.5 Mismatch repair defects
7.6 TGF
7.7 Cell cycle regulators
1. GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER

8.1 Introduction
8.2 Pathology of esophagogastric cancer
8.3 Epidemiology of esophagogastric malignancy
8.4 Cellular and molecular alterations in esophagogastric cancer
8.5 Tumor suppressor genes
8.6 Growth factors and receptors
8.7 Oncogenes
8.8 DNA repair-associated genes
8.9 Hereditary factors
8.10 Cancers of the small intestine
8.11 Pancreatic cancer
8.12 Hepatobiliary cancer
1. BREAST CANCER

9.1 Introduction
9.2 Genetic changes in breast cancer
9.3 Estrogens and cell cycle regulation
9.4 Male breast cancer
9.5 Gene expression profiling

1. GENITOURINARY CANCER
10.1 Ovarian and endometrial cancers
10.2 Cervical cancer
10.3 Testicular cancer
10.4 Renal cell cancer and bladder cancer
10.5 Prostate cancer
1. LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA
11.1 Introduction
11.2 TEL/JAK2
11.3 MYC
11.4 BCL1 and BCL2
11.5 ABL/BCR
11.6 AML 1/CBF /ETO(MTG8)
11.7 TLS/ERG
11.8 PML/RAR
11.9 ALL-1 and 11 q23 translocations
11.10 RBTN T cell oncogenes
11.11 Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 inhibitor, CDKN2 (p16/MTS1/INK4a)
11.12 RAS
11.13 p53
11.14 MDM2
11.15 Detection of minimal residual disease (MRD)
11.16 Refining the classification of leukemias and lymphomas
1. CHILDHOOD SOLID TUMORS
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Retinoblastoma
12.3 Wilms’ tumor
12.4 Neuroblastoma
12.5 Rhabdomyosarcoma
12.6 Ewing’s sarcoma
1. THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Receptors as targets
13.3 Immunologic intervention
13.4 Other targets
13.5 Antisense RNA or oligonucleotides
13.6 RNA interference/inhibition (RNAi)
13.7 Gene therapy
13.8 Drug discovery and drug design
13.9 Conclusions and future prospects
1. MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES FOR ANALYSIS OF GENES
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Analysis of DNA or RNA
14.3 Analysis of proteins
14.4 Flow cytometry
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX