Here, an international and highly distinguished team of authors leads readers from the principles of programmed cell death to the role of apoptosis in cancer development and emerging treatment strategies. Divided into two distinct parts, the first focuses on apoptosis signaling, covering in depth such topics as mitochondria, effector systems, the Bcl-2 family, IAPs, survival pathways, tumor suppressor genes, modulators, lysosomes and phagocytosis. The second section goes on to analyze apoptosis in cancer and cancer therapy, with a detailed look at model systems, molecular diagnosis, cellular stress, DNA damage and repair, molecular targets and therapeutic aspects. With its strong focus on recent developments in cancer therapy, this book is aimed at oncologists, molecular and cell biologists, biochemists, and those working in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries.