This represents the third volume in a series on cancer markers pub lished by the Humana Press. The first volume, published in 1980, stressed the relationship of development and cancer as reflected in the production of markers by cancer that are also produced by normal cells during fetal development. The concept that cancer represents a problem of differentiation was introduced by Barry Pierce in describing differenti ation of teratocarcinomas. Highlighted were lymphocyte markers, alphafetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, ectopic hormones, enzymes and isozymes, pregnancy proteins, and...

This series was originally entitled Contemporary Topics in Immunochemistry, and Volume 1 bearing that name was published. Upon its editorial review and while charting the development of future volumes, the editors began to sense that the word "Immunochemistry" was somewhat restrictive according to its present interpretation. Accompanying the expansion of knowledge in immuno- biology is a demand for explanations in molecular terms. Since the intent of the series is to focus attention on research at the molecular level in any aspect of immunology, the editors and publisher felt the term...