Apoptosis and Autoimmunity: From Mechanisms to Treatments

by Joachim Kalden, Martin Herrmann

This is the first comprehensive book about the relationship between apoptosis and autoimmune diseases. It offers a unique up-to-date overview on research results on the defective execution of apoptosis and the incomplete clearance of apoptotic cel

405 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 20, 2003

Reviews

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got to read this through the wonderful world of interlibrary loan from a university medical library. Written for scientists and doctors, it is quite a technical read. It's basically a collection of published articles discussing what role apoptosis (programmed cell suicide, which is a normal part of cell life when going right -- here's a great summary: https://science.howstuffworks.com/lif...) might play in autoimmune disorders. Parts were very thought provoking, especially about the various autoimmune illnesses and which types of cells malfunction in each, along with the fact that cancer is essentially doing the opposite (growing fast and refusing to die). Some authors suggest that autoimmune illnesses involve post-apoptosis cells not being properly disposed of. One article suggested somehow creating an organic vaccine of these cells to use on cancer. It's really technically written with no definitions for those who haven't had years of training in the subject and some articles are much better than others. It was recommended and very high in price, so I was grateful to get to read it free. Not a book I'd consider useful for my home library and not full of anything really earth shattering, but an interesting look at apoptosis if you are a serious medical geek (which I am).