Biology Of Tumors Surfaces Immunology And Comparative Pathology

As was shown in the first two volumes of this series, great strides have been made in identifying many of the agents or classes of substances responsible for carcinogenesis and in delineating their interactions with the cell. Clearly, the aim of such studies is that, once identified, these agents can be eliminated from the environment. Yet, despite these advances and the elimination of some important carcinogenic agents, one major problem exists. It is a constant monitor of all oncologic study and diminishes the importance of every experiment and of every clinical observation. As we noted earlier, that problem is our inability to define the malignant cell. It is through studies of the fundamental biology of tumors that we seek this definition. A vast amount of information has been gathered which describes what this cell does and-to a lesser extent-how it does it. But the why evades us. We have been unable to define the malignant cell, save in broad terms by comparing it to its normal counterpart. The major problem appears to be that the malignant cell does so much. It is a chimera, mystifyingly composed of normal activities and structures, of phenotypic schizophrenia with embryonic, fetal, and adult charac teristics and, occasionally, a hint of an unclassifiable capacity unique to malignant cells.

The International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) was creat ed to promote cooperative efforts toward solving critical health and safety questions involving foods, drugs, cosmet ics, chemicals, and other aspects of the environment. The Officers and Trustees believe that questions regarding health and safety are best resolved when government and industry rely on scientific investigations, analyses, and re views by independent experts. Further, the scientific aspects of an issue should be examined and discussed on an international basis, separate from the political concerns of individual companies. ILSI is pleased to sponsor this set of monographs on the pathology of laboratory animals. This project will be use ful in improving the scientific basis for the application of pathologic techniques to health and safety evaluation of substances in our environment. The world wide distribu tion of the authors, editors, and Editorial Board who are creating these monographs strengthens the expectation that international communication and cooperation will al so be strengthened.