This volume represents a collection of contributions from the 6th International Conference on Eicosanoids and Other Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation, and Related Diseases held in Boston from September 12-15, 1999. The mission of this meeting was to bring together senior and junior investigators to both announce and examine their recent advancements in cutting-edge research on the roles and actions of lipid mediators and their impact in human physiology and disease pathogenesis. The meeting focused on new concepts in these areas of interest to both clinicians and researchers. The program included several outstanding plenary lectures and presentations by leading experts in the fields of cancer and inflammation. In addition, the Boston meeting presented three Young Investigator awards, one in each of the major focus areas. The meeting was exciting and proved to be very memorable. The program was developed with an emphasis on recent advances in molecular and of lipid mediators relevant in cellular mechanisims involved in the formation and actions inflammation and cancer. Plenary lectures were presented by Prof. Bengt Sammuelsson (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm; 1982 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine) and Prof. E. 1. Corey (Harvard University; 1990 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry). Both of these plenary lectures were held on Day 1, which set an exciting tone for this meeting. Immediately following these plenary lectures, three simultaneous breakout sessions were held, one of inflammation, a second on cancer and synthesis of novel inhibitors, and a third on enzymes-lipoxygenases/cyclooxygenases and inhibitors.

This volume constitutes, in part, the proceedings of the Hong Kong Conference on "Eicosanoids and Other Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation, and Radiation Injury" held in Hong Kong in October 1995. It contains papers by the symposium speakers, as well as poster contributions from researchers in this field. Since the discovery of "PROSTAGLANDIN-LIKE' substances 60 years ago. much has been learned. EICOSANOID is the new term that is used to include prostaglandins. thromboxanes, leukotrienes, lipoxins, isoprostanes, depoxilins, hydroxy acids, epoxy and hydroperoxy fatty acids. The conference focussed on recent development in underatanding the role of EICOSANOIDS in inflammation, cancer, and radiation damage. At the confer- ence, we also highlighted advances in newly developing areas such as "NO," "A POP- TOSIS and "ANANDAMIDE." The discovery of the structures of genes that encode several key enzymes and receptors of the Eicosanoid cascade, has allowed us to include reports in the "Alteration of the Gene Expression" section that reflects the most recent de- velopments in regulation for PGH-synthase and lipoxygenases. The editors are convinced that this volume will be an up-to-date and useful reference for investigators in both basic and clinical research.

This volume contains the proceedings of the First International Conference on Eicosanoids and Other Bioactive Lipids in Cancer and Radiation Injury held in Detroit, Michigan on October 11-14, 1989. The program consisted of 83 oral and 29 poster presentations, 74 of which are included in these proceedings. The major sponsors of the conference were the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, located in Bethesda, Maryland, the Radiation Oncology Research and Development Center of the Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center, Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and Schering AG of West Germany. Eighteen other organizations provided additional support. The conference was unique in its attempt to link the eicosanoid and lipid researchers in the radiobiology and cancer disciplines. The diverse roles that eicosanoids and other bioactive lipids play in these biological phenomena including the participation of lipid oxidation in conversion of procarcinogens, positive and negative modulation of tumor growth, immunomodulation, tissue injury, and yet protection and enhancement of cancer therapy, necessitated scientific interaction to sort out and understand these complex and sometimes contradictory observations. The success of this effort is reflected not only through these proceedings, but also through the decision to continue the conference series with a second meeting to be held in Berlin between September 17-21, 1991.

Over one hundred contributions detail advances in the molecular and cellular biology of eicosanoid production, as well as their role in signal transduction. One of the most exciting developments explored within this collection of articles is the expression of the novel isoform of cyclooxygenase (cox-2), which may play a large role in the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Cancer is a multi-volume series that will focus on an emerging area of cancer research. In 1968, R.H. Williams first reported that elevated prostaglandin levels are present in human medullary car- cinoma. Since that time, the concept that arachidonic acid metabolites may be in- volved in cancer has expanded to include every aspect of the disease from cell transformation through metastasis. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are generic terms used to describe a family of bioactive lipids produced from unsaturated fatty acids (principally from arachidonic acid) via the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways, respec- tively. Cyclooxygenase products consist of diverse products such as prosta- glandin E2 (POE ), prostacyclin (POI ) and thromboxane A2 (TXA ), whereas 2 2 2 lipoxygenase products consist of hydroperoxy fatty acids and mono-, di- and tri-hydroxy acids including leukotrienes. The precursor fatty acids for the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways are present in cellular phospholipids. This finding established an important control point in their biosynthesis-the release of substrate. This occurs in response to numerous stimuli that act at the cell surface. Dr. Bengl Samuelsson's extensive study of the metabolism of pros- taglandins indicated that they are rapidly inactivated on a single pass through pulmonary circulation. Thus, they cannot act as circulating hormones and appear to be made on demand in or in the vicinity of target tissues leading to the concept that prostaglandins are local hormones or autocoids.

This volume represents a collection of contributions from the 6th International Conference on Eicosanoids and Other Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation, and Related Diseases held in Boston from September 12-15, 1999. The mission of this meeting was to bring together senior and junior investigators to both announce and examine their recent advancements in cutting-edge research on the roles and actions of lipid mediators and their impact in human physiology and disease pathogenesis. The meeting focused on new concepts in these areas of interest to both clinicians and researchers. The program included several outstanding plenary lectures and presentations by leading experts in the fields of cancer and inflammation. In addition, the Boston meeting presented three Young Investigator awards, one in each of the major focus areas. The meeting was exciting and proved to be very memorable. The program was developed with an emphasis on recent advances in molecular and of lipid mediators relevant in cellular mechanisims involved in the formation and actions inflammation and cancer. Plenary lectures were presented by Prof. Bengt Sammuelsson (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm; 1982 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine) and Prof. E. 1. Corey (Harvard University; 1990 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry). Both of these plenary lectures were held on Day 1, which set an exciting tone for this meeting. Immediately following these plenary lectures, three simultaneous breakout sessions were held, one of inflammation, a second on cancer and synthesis of novel inhibitors, and a third on enzymes-lipoxygenases/cyclooxygenases and inhibitors.

Over one hundred contributions detail advances in the molecular and cellular biology of eicosanoid production, as well as their role in signal transduction. One of the most exciting developments explored within this collection of articles is the expression of the novel isoform of cyclooxygenase (cox-2), which may play a large role in the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.

This volume constitutes, in part, the proceedings of the Hong Kong Conference on "Eicosanoids and Other Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation, and Radiation Injury" held in Hong Kong in October 1995. It contains papers by the symposium speakers, as well as poster contributions from researchers in this field. Since the discovery of "PROSTAGLANDIN-LIKE' substances 60 years ago. much has been learned. EICOSANOID is the new term that is used to include prostaglandins. thromboxanes, leukotrienes, lipoxins, isoprostanes, depoxilins, hydroxy acids, epoxy and hydroperoxy fatty acids. The conference focussed on recent development in underatanding the role of EICOSANOIDS in inflammation, cancer, and radiation damage. At the confer- ence, we also highlighted advances in newly developing areas such as "NO," "A POP- TOSIS and "ANANDAMIDE." The discovery of the structures of genes that encode several key enzymes and receptors of the Eicosanoid cascade, has allowed us to include reports in the "Alteration of the Gene Expression" section that reflects the most recent de- velopments in regulation for PGH-synthase and lipoxygenases. The editors are convinced that this volume will be an up-to-date and useful reference for investigators in both basic and clinical research.

In recent decades eicosanoids have been attracting an increasing amount of attention as a result of their important physiological roles in many areas of biology and medicine. The eicosanoids comprise the prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes and are products of arachidonic acid, an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid stored in tissue phospholipids. Disturbances of eicosanoids and their metabolic products play a regulatory role in many types of cell injuries and diseases. One of the most exciting areas of eicosanoid research pinpoints their participation in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation. Eicosanoids form a link between different fields of research into such areas as cancer, inflammation and radiation-induced injury. This link provided the impetus for the development of the conference series of which the present volume represents the proceedings of the Second International Conference, held in Berlin in October 1991.

This volume contains the proceedings of the First International Conference on Eicosanoids and Other Bioactive Lipids in Cancer and Radiation Injury held in Detroit, Michigan on October 11-14, 1989. The program consisted of 83 oral and 29 poster presentations, 74 of which are included in these proceedings. The major sponsors of the conference were the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, located in Bethesda, Maryland, the Radiation Oncology Research and Development Center of the Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center, Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and Schering AG of West Germany. Eighteen other organizations provided additional support. The conference was unique in its attempt to link the eicosanoid and lipid researchers in the radiobiology and cancer disciplines. The diverse roles that eicosanoids and other bioactive lipids play in these biological phenomena including the participation of lipid oxidation in conversion of procarcinogens, positive and negative modulation of tumor growth, immunomodulation, tissue injury, and yet protection and enhancement of cancer therapy, necessitated scientific interaction to sort out and understand these complex and sometimes contradictory observations. The success of this effort is reflected not only through these proceedings, but also through the decision to continue the conference series with a second meeting to be held in Berlin between September 17-21, 1991.

Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Cancer is a multi-volume series that will focus on an emerging area of cancer research. In 1968, R.H. Williams first reported that elevated prostaglandin levels are present in human medullary car- cinoma. Since that time, the concept that arachidonic acid metabolites may be in- volved in cancer has expanded to include every aspect of the disease from cell transformation through metastasis. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are generic terms used to describe a family of bioactive lipids produced from unsaturated fatty acids (principally from arachidonic acid) via the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways, respec- tively. Cyclooxygenase products consist of diverse products such as prosta- glandin E2 (POE ), prostacyclin (POI ) and thromboxane A2 (TXA ), whereas 2 2 2 lipoxygenase products consist of hydroperoxy fatty acids and mono-, di- and tri-hydroxy acids including leukotrienes. The precursor fatty acids for the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways are present in cellular phospholipids. This finding established an important control point in their biosynthesis-the release of substrate. This occurs in response to numerous stimuli that act at the cell surface. Dr. Bengl Samuelsson's extensive study of the metabolism of pros- taglandins indicated that they are rapidly inactivated on a single pass through pulmonary circulation. Thus, they cannot act as circulating hormones and appear to be made on demand in or in the vicinity of target tissues leading to the concept that prostaglandins are local hormones or autocoids.

Since their discovery over 60 years ago, eicosanoids have come to represent a diverse family of bioactive lipid modulators, including prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes, lipoxins, isoprostanes, hepoxilins, hydroxy acids, epoxy and hydroxy fatty acids. This book contains conference presentations regarding the regulation of eicosanoid enzymes and, in particular, cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, and phospholipases. In addition, the latest evidence over the last seven years has led to the identification of a number of receptors for these bioactive lipids. The new field of isoprostanes is also represented. It has become increasingly evident that eicosanoids play a critical role in signal transduction, both in normal cells and in pathological processes. These aspects are discussed in relation to cellular events, such as apoptosis, angiogenesis, and cancer prevention and treatment.