Prostaglandin Inhibitors in Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy

Book excerpt: This book provides an updated overview of eicosanoid metabolism. It also presents a timely discussion of eicosanoid metabolism in the process of tumor cell metastasis, in chemoprotection and radioprotection associated with cancer therapy, and in cell differentiation. The book focuses on the role of eicosanoids in the immunology of malignant disease. This includes how various immune cell populations in cancer are affected by the secretion and action of various eicosanoids and metabolites of eicosanoids and how these processes may be affected by various pharmacological manipulations and interventions to augment anti-tumor immunity. Head and neck cancer is covered in great detail to illustrate a cancer in humans where these considerations are particularly relevant. This important volume demonstrates that the principal factor in cancer patient immunologic deficiency is related to excess secretion by monocytes of prostaglandins.