Carl Edward Sagan¿s (1934-1996) one of the famous quotation was ¿Who are we? We find that we
live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some
forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people.¿ From past to
date well-known molecules enzymes proteins lipids and carbohydrates are studied in the
pathogenesis of several diseases both as a diagnostic prognostic biomarker and therapeutic
agent. The underlying mechanism of unexplained diseases and failure of therapies are frequently
studied with well-known biomarkers but remain unclear in many cases. As Dr. Sagan said other
keys are still waiting to be known in some forgotten corner of a body universe we find
strength to propose that one of them can be the growth factor with cytokine activity named
¿Midkine¿ This book summarizes the extensive up-to-date literature overeview with the lastest
work of experts about midkine in a detailed format that conveys its role as both a pathologic
factor and therapeutic agent.
