Transferring hematopoietic stem cells and immune cells has continued to be a promising therapeutic alternative and a fascinating area of cell biology as well as a field of persistent procedural problems. This explains why substantial parts of basic research on cell growth and differentiation, immune tolerance and antitumor effects, gene transfer, minimal residual disease and supportive care have settled around clinical transplantation in hematology and oncology. This second volume updates the current role of allogeneic and autologous transplantation in leukemias, lymphomas and solid cancers, including controversial strategies and novel experimental approaches. Outstanding representatives of leading groups guarantee first-hand information and indicate how we can work and cooperate more effectively to the benefit of our patients.

Hematopoietic stem cell and immune cell transplantation has cont- ued as a promising therapeutic alternative and a fascinating area of cell biology as well as a field of persistent procedural problems. This - plains why substantial parts of basic research on cell growth and d- ferentiation, immune tolerance and antitumor effects, gene transfer, minimal residual disease and supportive care have settled around cli- cal transplantation in hematology and oncology. This second volume again updates the current role of allogeneic and autologous transpl- tation in leukemias, lymphomas and solid cancers, including cont- versial strategies and novel experimental approaches. In particular, cellular immune therapy, new conditioning strategies, mismatched donor transplantation, updated clinical transplantation, antiangiogenesis and strategies against fungal infections are focused upon. Outstanding representatives of leading groups guarantee fir- hand information and indicate how we can work and cooperate more effectively to the benefit of our patients. The editors are indebted to the Gesellschaft zur Bekampfung der Krebskrankheiten Nordrhein-Westfalen for a substantial support of the publication. They also acknowledge the major contribution of Beate Kosel as coordinator of the editorial work."

Some three decades after bone marrow transplantation was introduced in the field of hematology and oncology, transplantation today continues to rapidly grow and expand into a variety of new modalities. Peripheral blood has been established as an effective source of autologous progenitor cells. Furthermore, the graft-versus-leukemia effect has resulted in novel strategies of adoptive immunotherapy for cancer. Finally, approaches to gene transfer and therapy are utilizing transplantation methodologies and can augment their effects. Current results, new developments and perspectives are presented in this volume. Conventional and innovative experimental approaches, the past and the future of bone marrow transplantation are reviewed and discussed by leading representatives.