* The future of cancer therapy: Thanks to novel methods in targeting chemotherapeutics to hard-to-find cancer cells, a safe and efficient treatment of most cancers has become possible. All pharmaceutical companies with an interest in oncology are heavily investing in this field. In this first authoritative overview on modern cancer chemotherapy 121 international specialists have contributed their experience and recent data for what is likely to become the gold standard in the field.

The authors summarize knowledge gained over the past decade, from basic concepts to successful applications in the clinic, covering active and passive targeting strategies as well as tissue-specific approaches. All current and future targeted delivery systems are discussed, from ligand-based to antibody-based polymer-based systems, right up to micro- and nanoparticulate systems. A special section covers the delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics, such as siRNA, miRNA and antisense nucleotides. In each case, a description of the basic technique is followed by a discussion of the latest preclinical and clinical developments in the field.

By virtue of its clear and didactic structure, rich illustrative material and summary chapters, this handbook and ready reference enables the efficient transfer of knowledge between different disciplines, from basic research to the clinician and vice versa. It is equally well suited for professionals, researchers and students in medical oncology and cancer biology, and is also excellent for teaching medical students the foundations of 21st century cancer chemotherapy.