Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Cancer

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play a critical role in a variety of cellular processes including growth, differentiation, motility, and metabolism. RTKs are frequently overexpressed and their aberrant signalling is associated with various diseases including cancer. Thus, RTKs have become one of the most important druggable targets for the treatment of cancer. The emergence of small kinase inhibitors in cancer treatment offers a strategic approach to the management of cancer that surpasses the efficacy of traditional drugs.

Understanding RTK signaling mechanisms is of paramount importance, especially as the US FDA and other global regulatory agencies have approved several small-molecule tyrosine inhibitors. Moreover, pharmaceutical companies are actively developing new compounds for the treatment of various malignancies.

This comprehensive book addresses a timely need by presenting the latest advances and cutting-edge insights into RTKs in cancer research. The chapters provide overviews and recent developments regarding the roles of key RTKs —such as, c-Met, AXL, VEGFR, EGFR, among others—in pro-tumorigenic signaling, therapeutic resistance, and targeted inhibition across different cancer types. This volume serves as an essential resource for researchers and students seeking to deepen their understanding  of this rapidly evolving field. 

An Introduction to Receptor Tyrosine Kinases Signal Transduction and Cancer Progression.- Tyrosine Kinases and Inflammatory Signaling in Cancer.- Molecular Mechanisms of Acquired Therapeutic Resistance to Tyrosine Kinase Targeted Therapy.- AXL and its Role in Cell Migration and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition.- VEGFR and its Role in Tumor Angiogenesis.- c-MET Therapeutic Target and Biomarker in Cancer.- Receptor Tyrosine Kinase signaling and Mitochondria.- Therapeutic Potential of Targeting Immune Checkpoints Along with RTKs.- Combination therapies involving RTK inhibitors.- RTKs as a Therapeutic Target by Natural Compounds in Cancer Treatment.

Dr. Akash Sabarwal is a Faculty member in the Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Dr. Sabarwal's research focuses on understanding the intricate role of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in pro-tumorigenic signaling pathways and acquired therapeutic resistance.

Dr. Saba Tabasum is a Scientist in the Department of Medical Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. Her research focuses on elucidating the complex role of angiogenesis in cancer immunotherapy, particularly in immune regulation and homing, and on identifying and validating novel immunotherapeutic targets.

Dr. Soumitro Pal is Associate Professor in the Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Dr. Pal's laboratory is focused on studying the mechanism of renal injury, renal inflammation, and renal cancer, with particular importance paid to the signal transduction pathways regulating gene expression. One of the main focuses of Dr. Pal's research is to identify molecular mechanisms of cancer growth in patients receiving organ transplants.