Morphine and Metastasis

This book would combine chapters written by the most qualified authors around the world whose research encompasses the effect of morphine or other opioids on tumor growth and metastasis. This includes clinicians involved in trials determining which type of post surgical pain management can minimize the risk of recurrence or metastasis, researchers working on animal models and studying the effect of morphine on tumors, and most importantly the mechanism for this effect, and lastly cell biologists. There is currently a lot of research going on trying to reconcile the pro- and anti-cancer aspects of opioids actions. The possibility that morphine and other opioids may modulate tumour growth and metastasis has been researched for many years. The recent past has seen multiple clinical studies attempting to document whether limiting the perioperative use of morphine is beneficial for cancer surgery patients. Furthermore, a lot of exciting new data has been generated in vitro, but also in preclinical and clinical studies, that indirectly shed light on the effect of opioids on cancer. This book combines chapters written by qualified experts around the world whose research encompasses the effect of morphine or other opioids on tumour growth and metastasis. This includes clinicians, researchers working on animal models and studying the effect of morphine on tumours, and most importantly the mechanism for this effect, and lastly cell biologists. Current investigations and cross talk between basic science and clinical trials will refine our understanding of the multiple levels of actions of morphine and other opioids on tumour growth and metastasis, and result in improved guidelines for patient care. This book will be of interest to clinicians, especially those dealing with cancer patients and their pain management, as well as students, teachers and scientists in the fields of anaesthesiology, oncology, tumour biology, immunology, opioid pharmacology Front Matter....Pages i-v Morphine and Metastasis: From Bench to Bedside....Pages 1-13 Interaction of Naloxone and Estrogen Receptor in Breast Cancer....Pages 15-29 Morphine and Immunosuppression in the Context of Tumor Growth and Metastasis....Pages 31-46 Opioid Regulation of Vascular Integrity....Pages 47-61 Iatrogenic Angiogenesis....Pages 63-78 Could Opioids Affect Cancer Recurrence or Metastases? Current Experimental and Translational Evidence....Pages 79-94 Genetic Polymorphisms in the μ-Opioid Receptor Gene and Breast Cancer Survival....Pages 95-112 Anaesthetic and Pain Management Technique in Long Term Cancer Outcome – Benefits of Regional Anaesthesia and Analgesia in the Context of Cancer Surgery....Pages 113-121 Perioperative Morphine and Cancer Recurrence....Pages 123-142 Back Matter....Pages 143-146