Excerpt from Division of Cancer Biology and Diagnosis, Vol. 2: Annual Report, October 1, 1984 Through September 30, 1985 The Tumor Biology Program supports a broad spectrum of basic biological research to determine what cellular and molecular factors distinguish cancer cells from normal healthy cells and tissues. The supposition is that know ledge of these properties and processes will help us learn how to manipulate or change the biological signals responsible for the aberrant behavior of cancer cells. Ultimately, this should result in more effective methods for the diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer victims. Within the Tumor Biology Program, there are three major areas of investigation which conveniently correspond to different theories of how to control the development and progression of neoplastic disease. The first is understanding the basic biochemical mechanisms involved in growth control, whether these involve particular external signals that initiate the process of cell division or cellular molecules more directly responsible for the control of dna replication and metabolism. This kind of information can lead to the development of specific hormonal and drug therapies. The second is studying changes that occur at the molecular level which lead to cancer cell invasion. The invasive behavior of cancer cells is a prerequisite to malignancy, or the ability of tumors to invade surrounding tissues, escape normal host defense mechanisms and become established at multiple secondary metastatic sites of growth. Theoretically, if the invasive properties of malignant tumors can be controlled and these tumors confined to particular sites, metastasis, the major killer in cancer patients, will not occur. Treatment of tumors confined to a single site is usually more successful. The third is to develop detailed biological and biochemical information about the processes which induce cancer cell differentiation. There is good reason to believe that many kinds of cancers will respond to external stimuli and differentiate. If the genetic program of an actively growing cancer could be changed to one of terminal differentiation, then the malignant tumor could be rendered harmless. Although the above emphasis of the the Tumor Biology Program in the areas of growth, in vasion and differentiation is stated in simple terms, they provide a purposeful way of viewing the role of basic biological research to the ultimate goal of curing cancer. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.