Biology and Treatment of Leukemia and Bone Marrow Neoplasms (eBook)

This book provides a concise update on current understanding of the biology of acute and chronic leukemias and other bone marrow neoplasms, including myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative disorders, and explores new and emerging treatments. There is a particular focus on the molecular abnormalities that are drivers of leukemia and on their detection by modern molecular techniques. Knowledge of the ways in which genomic and metabolic abnormalities in the hematologic neoplasms affect prognosis and treatment decision making is reviewed. Detailed attention is devoted to targeted therapies, including novel drugs, and to potential targets for future drug development. In addition, readers find in-depth discussion of cellular and antibody-based immunotherapies as well as the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of leukemias and bone marrow malignancies. The book is of special interest for hematologists, oncologists, and cancer researchers; it is also of value for hematology trainees and medical students.

Vinod Pullarkat, MD, MRCP, is Professor in the Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope National Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Pullarkat's clinical expertise is in the treatment of acute leukemia and other bone marrow neoplasms, including the use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.  He received his medical degree from University of Calicut, India, and undertook fellowship training in Hematology/Oncology at the University of Southern California, following which he served as Faculty in the Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation at City of Hope Medical Center and at the University of Southern California. Dr. Pullarkat's research focuses especially on the biology of acute leukemia, including mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance, and the development of new therapies for acute leukemia. He has been Principal Investigator on various leukemia clinical trials and has published extensively in the fields of acute leukemia biology and therapy as well as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.