Molecular Cancer Therapeutics

Book excerpt: Molecular Cancer Therapeutics covers state-of-the-art strategies to identify and develop cancer drug target molecules and lead inhibitors for clinical testing. It provides a thorough treatment of drug target discovery, validation, and development. The introductory chapters provide an overview of pathways to discovery and development of molecular cancer therapeutics. Subsequent chapters progress from initial stages of drug target discovery to drug discovery, development, and testing in preclinical and clinical models. Topics include drug lead screening, drug-to-lead development, proof-of-concept studies, medicinal chemistry issues, intellectual property concerns, and clinical development. This invaluable reference promotes understanding of steps involved in developing drug leads for industrial partnering and development. It provides an overview of the strategies for discovery and validation of drug target molecules, and discusses cell- and molecule-based drug screening strategies, as well as mouse models for cancer. Coverage also includes how to refine drug leads for suitability in clinical testing, the special issues of clinical testing of molecular-targeted drugs, and intellectual property concerns.