A new frontier in the battle to understand and treat cancer The identification of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has opened a new avenue for understanding cancer biology and how cancer should be treated. This book, the first dedicated to CSC research, introduces key concepts and discoveries, including: * Detailed review of the regulatory mechanisms of cancer development and the transformation of CSCs to cancer cells * Methods of isolation and characterization * Latest therapeutic advances * Recent findings in the study of CSCs and the status of current research * Application of stem cell principles to cancer biology and the challenges of developing combination stem and cancer biology targets for therapeutics In addition, the book examines specific types of cancers in which CSCs have been identified, including acute leukemias, retinoblastomas, melanomas, and breast, brain, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Each chapter has been contributed by one or more pioneers in the field and carefully edited to ensure a thorough and uniform approach. Readers gain an insider's view of the authors' laboratories, research methods, and their results. References to the primary literature are provided at the end of each chapter. As the first book in its field, Cancer Stem Cells is an invaluable repository of information for cancer biologists, stem cell researchers, and clinicians. It will serve as a springboard to understanding the mechanisms of CSCs and their potential for developing new, more effective therapeutics.