Squamous epithelia form the essential lining surface of tissues in contact with the environment, including the skin, and mucosa of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, respiratory and genital tracts, and several other specialized tissues. These tissues are at highest risk for exposure to environmental carcinogens such as UV light, tobacco smoke, and infectious agents. Consequently, squamous cell carcinomas that form in these tissues are among the most common human solid tumors, and have high morbidity and mortality. The signaling pathways that regulate epithelial homeostasis and the alterations in these pathways that arise during cancer development share certain features among these different tissue sites. This book brings together timely reviews from experts in the field on mechanisms and signaling pathways such as EGFR, TGF¿1, NF¿B, PPARs and mTOR/AKT that regulate development of squamous cancer in both human and experimental mouse models, with a focus on how these specific signaling pathways can be utilized as targets for anti-cancer therapy. This comprehensive monograph will be important for researchers wishing to enter the field, for medical students, and for established basic and clinical investigators who would gain from an overview of the field.

Signaling Pathways in Squamous CancerChapter 1. Cell Adhesion Molecules in Carcinoma Invasion and MetastasisZiober, Humtsoe and KramerChapter 2. Roles of Integrins in the Development and Progressio of Squamous Cell CarcinomaLamar and DiPersioChapter 3. Alterations in Transforming Growth Factor beta Signaling in Squamous Cell CarcinomasXie and RiessChapter 4. Aberrant Activation of HGF/c-MET Signalign and Targeted Therapy in Squamous CancerChenChapter 5. The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in normal and Neoplastic EpitheliaRepertinger, Madson, Bischel and HansenChapter 6. Cyclooxygenase-2 Signaling in Squamous Cell CancerRundhaug and FischerChapter 7. Interacting Signaling Pathways in Mouse Skin Tumor Initiation and ProgressionCataisson and YuspaChapter 8. Protein Kinase C and the Development of Squamous Cell CarcinomaDenningChapter 9. The Transcription factor AP-1 in Squamous Cell Carcinogenesis: Lessons From Mouse Models of Skin CarcinogenesisHess and AngelChapter 10. NF-kB and IkB Kinases in Squamous CancersCostanzo, Spallone and KarinChapter 11. Regulation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Carcinogenesis by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs)Peters and GonzalezChapter 12. p63 in Squamous Differentiation and CancerRoop and KosterChapter 13. Effects of Natural and Synthetic Retinoids on the Differnetiation and Growth of Squamous CancersKadara and LotanChapter 14. Regulation of Keratinocyte Differnetiation by Vitamin D and its Relationship to Squamous Cell CarcinomaTeichert and BickleChapter 15. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Targeted TherapiesAhn, Kin and GrandisChapter 16. Targeting UVB Mediated Signal Transduction Pathways for the Chemoprevention of Squamous Cell CarcinomaBowden and AlbertsChapter 17. Molecular Targeted Chemotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaLin and RoccoChapter 18. Effects and Therapeutic Potential of Targeting Dysregulated Signaling Axes in Squamous Cell Carcinoma:AKT and MTORClark, Ekshyyan and NathanChapter 19. Head and Neck Cancer and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Network: Novel Moleuclar Targeted TherapiesAmornphimoltham, Patel, Molinolo and GutkindChapter 20. High Throughput Molecular Profiling Approaches for the Identification of Genomic Alterations and Therapeutic TargetsZhou, Hu and Wong