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A guide to bone marrow transplantation
Eiomed. & Phormocofher.,43 (1989) 69-70
69
8 Elsevier, Paris
Immunotoxins. Cancer Treatment and Research. A.E. Krankel. Martinus Nijhoff Publishing, The Hague, i988. Compartmentalization of immunotoxin experiments into discrete crisciplines and the publication of these experiments in many different journals has led many observers to perceive the field as simply consisting of a number of applied research projects for pharmaceutical development. The main goal of this book is to provide an integrated presentation of the research problems, so that the reader can see the basic scientific questions in the field of immunotoxins in an organized manner. Further, the individual research topics have been dealt with in adequate detail to serve both as a source for techniques as well as a stimulus for new hypotheses and experiments. Bringing many different approaches together in one volume will hopefully generate new interdisciplinary approaches to immunotoxin research problems. In the area of molecular biology, work on both the genetic engineering and X-ray crystallography of immunotoxins is addressed. In biochemistry, work on enzyme chemistry, membrane chemistry, ribosome structure and function and protein purification is included. Organic chemistry has been represented by linker synthesis and application. Pzclidcal hypcrthermia. Recent Results in Cancer Research, Vol. 109. W. Hinkelbein, G. Bruggmoser, R. Engelhardt, M. Wannenmacher. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1988. In this volume, physicians and biologists present their experimental work in the field of hyperthermia, paying particular attention to its relevance in clinical situations. Principles of heat action and combined treatment modalities are explained. The main topics discussed are the effects of such treatment on normal tissues, animal tumors, malignant cell lines and human tumors. A guide to bone marrow transplantation. H.J. Deeg, H.G. Klingemann, G.L. Phillips. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1988. This book provides a comprehensive survey of transplantation including pre-transplant considerations, the tra splant procedure, acute and delayed transplant re’ ied problems, and an assessment of future develc,*,.nents. ‘he authors have addressed the principles involved in n ‘urow transplantation. Thus, this text should help prac, ::ing hematologists, oncologists and other physi-
cians - as well as physicians in training and students - to develop an idea as to when bone marrow transplantation should be considered, what steps need to be taken to make it possible, what the costs are, how a donor can be selected and so forth. It also reviews potential complications and side-effects, aspects particularly useful for the physician who assumes the care of patients after their return from a transplant center. Knowledge of various areas under discussion should allow smoother communication between primary care physicians and transplant physicians, thus optimizing the treatment approach for any individual patient. Cancer chemotherapy by infusion. J.J. Lokich. Precept Press Inc., Chicago, 1987. Cancer chemotherapy by continuous infusion constitutes a promising avenue for improving the therapeutic index of highly toxic cytostatics. Such an improvement usually results from an enhanced host tolerance for these drugs as a result of avoiding high drug levels in the bloodstream. Moreover, continuous tumor cell exposure to cytostatics may also increase their probability of being killed. The author is one of the pioneers in the development of such a therapeutic strategy whose merits have already been demonstrated in the treatment of cancers of the head and neck, breast and gastrointestinal tract as well as hematologic malignancies. This book first presents the rationale for such a therapeutic strategy : concept, experimental background and clinical pharmacology of drugs (chapters I-III). Experimental data mostly include in vim examples, which support or contraindicate a continuous, usually short-term, exposure of tumor cells from various lines. Accounts of in viva experiments with animal tumor models are less common. Nonetheless, the drug-by-drug presentation is clear, and allows ready access to information. However, the short chapter on the clinical pharmacology of infusional chemotherapy is too thcorctical, and no clinical observations have been provided. General technical aspects are then described (chapters IV-VII). The chapter on drug administration systems presents some of the external and implantable systems in use. A critical appraisal of the pros and cons of each device is given, and the technical characteristics are summarized in a highly informative table. However, many new devices have appeared since 1987 when this book was edited, and these have not been listed. TWO chapters summarize the main techniques, incidence of complications and nursing management regarding
69
8 Elsevier, Paris
Immunotoxins. Cancer Treatment and Research. A.E. Krankel. Martinus Nijhoff Publishing, The Hague, i988. Compartmentalization of immunotoxin experiments into discrete crisciplines and the publication of these experiments in many different journals has led many observers to perceive the field as simply consisting of a number of applied research projects for pharmaceutical development. The main goal of this book is to provide an integrated presentation of the research problems, so that the reader can see the basic scientific questions in the field of immunotoxins in an organized manner. Further, the individual research topics have been dealt with in adequate detail to serve both as a source for techniques as well as a stimulus for new hypotheses and experiments. Bringing many different approaches together in one volume will hopefully generate new interdisciplinary approaches to immunotoxin research problems. In the area of molecular biology, work on both the genetic engineering and X-ray crystallography of immunotoxins is addressed. In biochemistry, work on enzyme chemistry, membrane chemistry, ribosome structure and function and protein purification is included. Organic chemistry has been represented by linker synthesis and application. Pzclidcal hypcrthermia. Recent Results in Cancer Research, Vol. 109. W. Hinkelbein, G. Bruggmoser, R. Engelhardt, M. Wannenmacher. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1988. In this volume, physicians and biologists present their experimental work in the field of hyperthermia, paying particular attention to its relevance in clinical situations. Principles of heat action and combined treatment modalities are explained. The main topics discussed are the effects of such treatment on normal tissues, animal tumors, malignant cell lines and human tumors. A guide to bone marrow transplantation. H.J. Deeg, H.G. Klingemann, G.L. Phillips. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1988. This book provides a comprehensive survey of transplantation including pre-transplant considerations, the tra splant procedure, acute and delayed transplant re’ ied problems, and an assessment of future develc,*,.nents. ‘he authors have addressed the principles involved in n ‘urow transplantation. Thus, this text should help prac, ::ing hematologists, oncologists and other physi-
cians - as well as physicians in training and students - to develop an idea as to when bone marrow transplantation should be considered, what steps need to be taken to make it possible, what the costs are, how a donor can be selected and so forth. It also reviews potential complications and side-effects, aspects particularly useful for the physician who assumes the care of patients after their return from a transplant center. Knowledge of various areas under discussion should allow smoother communication between primary care physicians and transplant physicians, thus optimizing the treatment approach for any individual patient. Cancer chemotherapy by infusion. J.J. Lokich. Precept Press Inc., Chicago, 1987. Cancer chemotherapy by continuous infusion constitutes a promising avenue for improving the therapeutic index of highly toxic cytostatics. Such an improvement usually results from an enhanced host tolerance for these drugs as a result of avoiding high drug levels in the bloodstream. Moreover, continuous tumor cell exposure to cytostatics may also increase their probability of being killed. The author is one of the pioneers in the development of such a therapeutic strategy whose merits have already been demonstrated in the treatment of cancers of the head and neck, breast and gastrointestinal tract as well as hematologic malignancies. This book first presents the rationale for such a therapeutic strategy : concept, experimental background and clinical pharmacology of drugs (chapters I-III). Experimental data mostly include in vim examples, which support or contraindicate a continuous, usually short-term, exposure of tumor cells from various lines. Accounts of in viva experiments with animal tumor models are less common. Nonetheless, the drug-by-drug presentation is clear, and allows ready access to information. However, the short chapter on the clinical pharmacology of infusional chemotherapy is too thcorctical, and no clinical observations have been provided. General technical aspects are then described (chapters IV-VII). The chapter on drug administration systems presents some of the external and implantable systems in use. A critical appraisal of the pros and cons of each device is given, and the technical characteristics are summarized in a highly informative table. However, many new devices have appeared since 1987 when this book was edited, and these have not been listed. TWO chapters summarize the main techniques, incidence of complications and nursing management regarding