Many books have been written about cancer immunology. However, the subject is still in its infancy regarding full understanding of the complex mechanisms and interactions involved and their relevance to the clinical situation. Exciting developments are being seen in the fields of research, involving, for example, monoclonal antibodies and biological response modifiers. We, therefore, feel fully justified in introducing this new text, which is intended for clinical oncologists wishing to know more about the status of immunology in cancer and as a source of reference for workers, in all branches of oncology research, seeking up-to-date reviews. Contributors have, therefore, given both explanatory and more detailed accounts of developments in their particular fields of expertise. xi IMMUNOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CANCER 1. BASIC IMMUNOLOGY A. MILFORD WARD INTRODUCTION The immune response represents the normal physiological process by which the body main tains homeostasis in the response to infection or to introduction of foreign material. The immune system that generates this response is complex in that it exerts its action by means of circulating cellular and humoral components capable of acting at sites far distant from their site of formation and by its interaction with a variety of biological effector systems. CELLS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM The major cell types of the immune system are the macrophages and the lymphocytes."

The rapid growth of specific protein estimations in the clinical laboratory over the last 10 years has been due to advances both in methodology and in the understanding of the role of the various plasma proteins in health and disease. This expansion has been made possible by the development of both gel phase and fluid phase techniques for the estimation of proteins and the ready availability of antisera to individual plasma proteins. The specificity of the immunological reaction has allowed the more precise identification and estimation of individual plasma proteins than was possible with dye binding or other chemical techniques, but at the same time these methods have introduced other possible errors and pitfalls. Advances in understanding of the structure and function of various plasma proteins has pointed the way to new clinical applications of plasma protein estimation in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. The Symposium, of which these are the proceedings, was planned to bring together a number of experts in the field to discuss the available methods and their clinical application.