Biomea & Pharmacother.. 42 (1989) 461-462 461 © E!~ev'.er, Paris

Libri

Pharmacologie clinique - - bases de |a th~rapeutique. 2nd Edition. Edited by J.P. Giroud, G. Math6, G. Meyniel, C. Advenier, .I.-M. Benoist, P. Duchene-Marullaz, A. Escousse, J.-F. Giudicelli, J.-L. Imbs, P. Lapalus, P. Loiseau, J.-L. Montastruc, A. Philippon, D. Regoli, P. Simon, J.-P. Tillement. Expansion Scientifique Fran- ~aise, Pads, 1988.

While books on internal medicine are numerous in international literature, this is not the case with regard to clinical pharmacology. One explanation is no doubt the interdisciplinary nature of this field; in effect, any overview requires the orchestration of fundamental and clinical researchers who have the common aim of pooling their knowledge in a cohesive fashion. Pharma- cologie Clinique -- Bases de la Thdrapeutique is a brilliant example of such cooperation. Published by J.P. Giroud and 274 co-authors, its style remains precise, clear and homogenous through 2352 pages, despite the diversity of the subjects dealt with.

The first section, which comprises more than one tenth of the book, deals with general pharmacology. The rationale for the choice of a given drug and dosage are explained. Several chapters concern the problems posed by special cases: age extremes, pregnancy, breast feeding, associated pathologies (hepatic, renal, respiratory insufficiency, malnutrition, etc.) and drug interactions. Analytical interference due to the pharma- cological properties of certain drugs or to a direct disturbance of the assay technique are also expounded. These data are dealt with in greater depth in the sections discussing each class of drug.

The various classes are studied in 17 sections according to the principal pathologies they are desi- gned to treat. The layout of each chapter follows a unifo _rm plar~ and includes a pathophysiological sum- mary, experimental methods in man, groups of drugs used, pharmacological properties and mechanisms of action, pharmacok~netics, drug, interaction, physico- chemical incompatibility, analytical interference, inci- dents and accidents, contraindications, therapeutic indications and dosages.

The use of two different typefaces enables the practitioner to rapidly find the information required; specialist and fundamental data are presented in small print. The search f¢r specific information is also greatly facilitated by the use of several entries in the alphabetic index (pharmacological classes, international non-pro- prietary names, proprietary names, diseases and symp- toms, synonyms and keywords).

This treatise brings together objective and compa- rative information and will greatly save time when

searching for documentation, ~hereby improving the quality of prese.'~ption, making it both more effective and safe. This is an essential reference book, unique in ~nternat~,-}~ai literature; i'~ should be at the source of all therapeut:c action.

Photosensitisation. Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects, Vol. 15. Edited by G. Moreno, R.H. Pottier, T.G. Truscott. NATO ASI Seres H, Cell Biology, SpOnger Vedag, Berlin, 1988.

This book consists of lectures and communications presented at a NATO Advanced Science Institute meeting held at Kingston (Canada) July 14--18, 1987.

Some basic principles of photophysics and photo- chemistry are reviewed such as light absorption and emission by organic molecules (M.A.J. Rodgers), fast kinetics (T.G. Truscott), and interactions of light with biological tissue (L.I. Grossweiner). The molecular mechanisms of photoinduced oxidations by singlet oxygen and their characterization are outlined (C.S. Foote) as a transition to the study of photobiological processes at the cell organelle site (C. Salet, G. Moreno). Photosensitized DNA damages by singlet oxygen are also mentioned (J. Piete et al.). The role of free radicals during melanogenesis is reviewed (M.R. Chedekel). Several papers are devoted to psoralens and PUVA therapy (F. Dall'Acqua), psoralen mutagenicity and carcinogenicity (A.R. Young).

The main part of the book is dedicated to porphyrin photosensitisation as a pathology (A.F. Mc Donagh), and particularly as a tool for tumor therapy. From this last point of view, chemical and biophysical aspects are discussed (D. Kessel). Experimental phototherapy is described (J. Moan et al.) Substitutes to hematoporphy- fin derivative as tumor photosensitizer are also evoked, namely phthalocyanines (J.G. Van Lier et al.). Clinical aspects of photochemotherapy are reviewed (J.C. Kennedy).

In conclusion, this book will be very useful to all people interested in the study of chemically photome- diated processes at a biological level. Clear and concise reviews are given and many contributions underline the current trends of research in this field, especially in that of photochemotherapy of tumors.

Retroviruses and oncogenes. M. Cr6pin. INSERM/John Libbey Eurotext, Pads, 1988.

The last decade has seen the discovery of a number of oncogenes which are activated by retroviruses. Retrovi- ruses and Oncogenes reviews molecular knowledge of

462 Libri

retroviruses and evaluates the latest findings on viral and cellular oncogenes. The book is organized in three sections. The first considers the oncogenic potential of oncogenic retroviruses and their multiplication in cultured cells and in animals, including the mechanism of retrotranscription with reverse transcriptase. Since expression of proviruses is fundamental for" oncogene- sis, the second section describes the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of two retrovi~uses, the murine sarcoma virus and the murine mammary tu- rnout virus. The latest developments in ~he understan- ding of viral and cellular oncogenes and the relations between oncogenes and cell differentiation are discus- sed in the third section, suggesting future directions for research in the developmental biology and oncology.

Retroviruses and Oncogenes reflects the diversity of systems which have been the subject of research and the methodological approaches used. The author's lucid account of recent advances is firmly based on a detailed review of the background to the subject, making the book both a very useful tool for young scientists seeking to work in the fields of retrovirology or genetic engineering and a valuable source book for researchers and cliniciar~ in oncology.

Neo-ad~uvant chemotherapy !I. Proceedings of the Se- cond International Congress on Neo-Adjuvant Chemo- therapy, Paris, February 1988. C. Jacqnillat, M. Well, D. Khayat. INSERM/John Libbey Eurotext, Paris, 1988.

This book gathers the main papers presented at the 2nd International Congress on Neo-Adjuvant Chemother- apy held in February 1988 in Paris under the chair- manship of Claude Jacqnillat. The meeting was atten- ded by 1832 participants belonging to 42 countries.

It gives a complete, up-to-date overview of neo- adjuvant chemotherapy results in i~reast cancers, in osteosarcomas and in head and neck cancers, and also in more recent indications such as oesophageal cance~s, bladder cancers, squamous cell carcinomas located in lungs, anal cancer, cervix, etc.

It underlines its imperatives, namely to activate an intensive treatment in order to induce a complete remission. It also deals ~ith the satellite questions surrounding neo-adjuvant cl~ ~ t h e r a p y , including : a session dedicated to the various modalities of combi- ning chemotherapy and radiotherapy; an up-to-date analysis of clinic~ and pharmacological data regarding recent derivatives such as fotemustine, carboplatine, pirarubicine, etc.: a session on intra-arterial chemothe- rapy which has an increasing importance in some hepatic metastases, as well as genotypic and phenoty- pic studies of the various resistance mechanisms espe- cially in multidrug resistance; analysis of metastasis organisation: contribution of lymphokines and of myelopoietic growth factors. This hook reflects the participants' competence and will be useful to all oncologists and other physicians and to all those who are concerned by progress and cancer treatment.