Foreword vi

Preface xvii



Mini Bio Lesson –A Quick Guide to Learn About Words Related to Cancer Biology 1



Chapter 1 Defining Cancer - A Disease Beyond Therapy

Historical Perspective of Cancer 20

Current Understanding of Cancer as a Systemic Disease 22

The Limitations of Traditional Cancer Therapies 25



Chapter 2 Four Major Characteristics of Cancer

Invasiveness 32

Metastasis 35

Heterogeneity 38

Resistance 41



Chapter 3 The Nucleolus – The Hidden Origin of Cancer

Overview of the Nucleolus in Cellular Biology 46

Nucleolar Dysfunction and Stress in Tumor Evolution 50

NPM1/B23 – A Key Player in Cancer Development 53

Why Nucleolar Balance Matters – A Prelude to NPM1’s Wider Impact 55



Chapter 4 NPM1 and Gene Co-expression Networks in Cancer

NPM1 as a Molecular Hub in Cancer Signaling 58

Gene Co-Expression Analysis in Cancer Progression 60

Identifying Potential Therapeutic Targets Through NPM1 Networks 63



Chapter 5 The QGCTR Model – A New Perspective on Cancer

Introduction to the QGCTR Model 66

Key Components and Pathways in QGCTR 68

Predicting Pathway Dysregulation Ranking for Individual Patients 71



Chapter 6 The Seven Key Pathway Classes – Shaping Cancer Phenotypes

Inflammation and Cytokine Response 74

Cellular Stress and Oxygen Response 76

Cellular Growth, Proliferation, and Survival 78

Angiogenesis and Tissue Remodeling 80

Metabolism and Lipid Signaling 82

Protein Homeostasis 84

Stemness, Differentiation, and Development 86



Chapter 7 Pathway-Based Supplements –A New Era in Supportive Therapy

Rationale Behind Developing A Pathway-Based Supplement 90

Comparison with Existing Cancer Supplements 92

Key Pathway-Targeted Ingredients and Their Mechanisms of Action 94

A Systems-Based Vision for Multi-Compound Integration 104



Chapter 8 Clinical Insights from QGCTR –Bridging Analysis and Possibility

Mapping Therapeutic Possibilities in Complex Cases 110

Informing Future Support Strategies Through Pathway Profiling 112

Long-Term Benefits of Targeting Cancer Pathways 115

Future Perspectives on Personalized Cancer Care 117



References 121

Tributes 133

In 2014, during a visit to Hong Kong, I had the distinct honor of being introduced to Professor Yung through a mutual colleague. Later that year, he and his research team visited Houston, where I had the privilege of hosting them and arranging a tour of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. During this visit, Professor Yung delivered a compelling seminar titled “A Multidisciplinary Research on Cancer and Its Metabolic Risk Factor: From Computational Characterization, Functional Discovery to Clinical Diagnostics Development.” His presentation was both intellectually rigorous and clinically insightful—an exemplary fusion of biochemical depth, computational sophistication, and translational relevance.



Now, more than a decade later, I am filled with admiration as I witness the culmination of Professor Yung’s enduring commitment to cancer research in this seminal volume. This publication transcends conventional scientific discourse. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of integrative research—serving as a beacon of hope for patients, a strategic guide for clinicians, and a source of inspiration for investigators navigating the complexities of cancer biology.



Professor Yung’s scholarly journey spans over four decades, beginning with foundational biochemical and genetic investigations into NPM1/B23—a multifunctional protein central to both physiological regulation and oncogenic processes. His research evolved to encompass computational analyses of NPM1/ B23 co-expressed genes, illuminating regulatory aberrations and delineating gene co-expression networks. This progression—from molecular characterization to computational modeling—has yielded a novel framework for understanding and addressing cancer pathogenesis.



His dedication to the study of NPM1/B23 culminated in the development of QGCTR, a proprietary computational architecture designed to extract clinically actionable insights from transcriptomic data. QGCTR represents a significant advancement in precision oncology, empowering clinicians to identify and prioritize functionally critical pathways that may underlie therapeutic resistance, disease recurrence, or treatment failure. QGCTR also introduces a paradigm shift: conceptualizing cancer as a network-based disease amenable to intervention through targeted disruption of its critical systems. This innovative perspective on supportive oncology care marks a promising evolution in the pursuit of holistic, patient-centered treatment strategies.



From historical foundations to contemporary innovations, from data interpretation to clinical application—this book charts a visionary path toward a future in which cancer therapy is not only more effective, personalized, but also more compassionate. It is with the utmost respect and enthusiasm that I commend this important work to the scientific and medical communities.



Kwong-Kwok Wong, Ph.D.

Professor

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center