Molecular Diagnostics of Cancer

Present and potential future applications of new diagnostic

strategies basedon the direct or indirect detection of

cancer genes are delineated in this volume. Among the

methodological aspects covered are enzymatic target

amplification by the polymerase chain reaction and related

techniques, DNA fingerprinting, transfer of putative cancer

genes in appropriate receipient cells, and recent

developments inthe application of monoclonal antibodies in

immunohistochemistry and immunoscintigraphy. The diagnostic

and functional implications of mutations in cancer genes

such as ras and p53 are described. The characterization of

cancer genes and their products is correlated with growth

control anddissemination of tumour cells by in vitro or

clinical evidence. The contributions in the present volume

uptdate the information available on established or newly

described cancer genes, and may help manage the transition

from basic research to clinical practice.