The induction of immune responses against tumor cells by vaccination is rapidly evolving as a therapeutic modality with new potentials for the treatment of cancer. It is based on the fact that our immune system can identify tumor cells and, once activated, is capable of developing specific immunity against the neoplastic cells. Numerous observations and intense research clearly document the major contribution of the immune system to the prevention of cancer. And there are many re ports of patients suffering from malignant melanoma or other tumors who mount a spontaneous immune response against their tumor cells that results in tumor regression. Based on the recent advances in our understanding of the compo nents of our immune system, their interactions and the regulation of immune responses, we are now able to design vaccination strategies that induce or enhance cell-mediated immunity against tumors. A ma jor advancement came with the identification and characterization of relevant tumor antigens, which are suitable target structures for anti-tu mor immune response. First clinical trials using such vaccine strategies have yielded encouraging results in patients. However, in spite of many reported cases of successful therapy of cancer by vaccination many patients still do not experience relief after such treatments. These initial clinical trials and the accompanying investigations have revealed a number of important results that indicate the direction of future re search and development in the field.

In any histopathology department, cutaneous biopsies form the major part of the workload. In many instances these may be readily dealt with by experienced pathologists and their documentation represents an essential step in organising therapy. However, in a number of areas dramatic changes have occurred in dermatopathology. The rapidly changing incidence of pigmented lesions of the skin and the availability of diagnostic cell markers in the complex cutaneous lymphomas have meant that for many pathologists a review in these fields will be valu- able. The distribution and pattern of skin pigmentation may allow us to make important assertions and draw importantconclusions about the genetics of skin disease, but also about human variability. Cutane- ous vasculitis is a difficult problem where clinicopathological consulta- tion is vital in diagnosis and the review presented has been written with this verymuch in mind. In the same way, many diagnostic difficul- ties exist in assessing buttous lesions in the skin and for this reason a review was invited. Finally, our understanding of certain skin diseases has been radical- ly altered by knowledge of the dynamics of the changes seen, a field which has also beenstudied with advantage inother systemsin patholo- gy. This volume is intended as an aide to those many pathologists and dermatologists who, often together, are responsible for the pro- vision of clinical care in this demanding field. London C. L. BERRY Contents Melanoma and Other Melanocytic Skin Lesions. With 8 Figures D. WEEDON . Cutaneous Vasculitis.