Many new technologies involving large-scale analysis of gene expression, novel treatments, and emergent combined therapy approaches have opened fresh possibilities for understanding and effectively managing breast cancer. In Breast Cancer Research Protocols, active researchers and clinicians describe in detail both well-established and cutting-edge methods for investigating breast cancer biology not only in the laboratory, but also in clinical settings. These readily reproducible techniques solve a variety of problems, ranging from how to collect, store, and prepare human breast tumor samples for analysis, to analyzing cells in vivo and in vitro. Additional chapters address the technology of handling biopsies, new methods for analyzing genes and gene expression, markers of clinical outcome and progress, analysis of tumor-derived proteins and antigens, validating targets, and investigating the biology of newly discovered genes. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Medicine(TM) series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principles behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Comprehensive and highly practical, Breast Cancer Research Protocols offers laboratory and clinical researchers the tools needed to illuminate breast cancer biology and advance the efficacy of its treatment today.