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The early, organ-specific diagnosis of malignancy continues to be a major unmet medical need. Clearly the ability to establish an early diagnosis of cancer is dependent upon an intimate knowledge of the cancer's biology, which if understood at the molecular level should identify key diagnostic and therapeutic manipulation points. Advances in recombinant gene technology have provided significant understanding of the mechanisms of action of oncogenic viruses, as well as of cancer-associated genomic sequences (onco­ genes). This text will explore the known molecular genetic, biolog­ ical, and clinical knowledge of selected human neoplasms that demonstrate association with suspected oncogenic virus and those cytogenetic alterations that either cause or are caused by oncogene activation. The text first reviews the cytogenetics of human cancers link­ ing classical cytogenetics and molecular genetics. Avery A. Sand­ berg (Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, New York) reviews the leukemias and lymphomas, followed by S. Pathak (M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, Texas), who reviews solid tumors. Functional consideration of oncogenes is highlighted by Keith C. Robbins and Stuart A. Aaronson (NO, Bethesda, Maryland) through their description of the v-sis locus sis and its gene product p.28 ; a protein that closely resembles human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).

This volume of Advances in Cancer Research begins with a'Foundations in Cancer Research'articles by Harold Varmus. He focuses on Andrew Lwoff who influenced a generation of scientists and how Dr. Lwoff's influence on Howard Temlin, in particular, led to the identification of the cause of AIDS. Hiroto Okayama and colleagues discuss the conserved control mechanisms of the G1 and G2 phases in fission yeasts and mammals, and the newly identified control genes. Nilis Mandahl presents the cytogenetic findings in bone and soft tissue tumors and introduces the major molecular genetic findings. Hannel Tapiovaara dn co-workers review plasmin generation at restricted areas of the cell surface and hypothesize that it may be a catalyst for tumor cells to metastasize. Noël Bouck et al. review the evidence suggesting that certain types of stimulations of inducers by activated oncogenes, and decreased production of inhibitors of angiogenesis, may be instrumental in enabling developing tumour cells to attract new cells and continue the malignant growth. Peter L. Stern reviews the role of immunity and the prospects for immune intervention in cervical neoplasia. Lastly, Denis J. Moss and his associates discuss the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) host-virus relationship and the immune control of EBV infections and examine development of vaccines and immunotherapy.

Advances in Cancer Research