This volume contains abstracts of most of the significant scientific literature dealing with prostaglandins published between 1906~when certain biologically active tissue extracts first stimulated the speculation of researchers~and 1970~when the use of prostaglandins for experimental control of fertility and induction of labor had been reported from six countries. Of the more than 4000 articles now identified which were published between 1906 and 1972, approximately half had appeared in print by the end of 1970. A second volume will cover the material printed in 1971 and 1972 with special emphasis on the role of prostaglandins in reproductive physiology. The reasons for publishing this considerable compilation of data are twofold. On the one hand, prosta· glandins, a family of fatty acid derivatives first identified in human semen, have been shown to have great and varied effects on all aspects of human physiology due to activity at the cellular level as mediators in the formation of cyclic AMP. The study of prostaglandins is considered today one of the most promising fields in the biological sciences. Secondly, as is now recognized, prostaglandins play an important role in reproduction, influencing both male and female fertility. It is hoped that this volume will make the results of early prostaglandin research available to investigators throughout the world, including especially those in developing coun· tries who may not have easy access to such material.

Prostagtandin Abstracts Volume II contains abstracts of the significant scientific Iiterature published in 1971, 1972, and 1973 on the role of prostaglandins in human reproduction. Of the more than 4000 articles which were published between 1971 and 1973 and deal with prostaglandins, endogenous and exogenous, in mal es and females, nearly 1100 involve human reproduction. Prostagtandin Abstracts, Volume I (Plenum Publishers, 1973) contains abstracts of all articles on prostaglandins published between 1906, when the action of these compounds was first noted, and 1970, when clinical research with these compounds was weil underway. Clinical use of prostaglandins during the 1960s proved safe but provided evidence of troublesome side effects. Du ring the 1970s, the development of new analogues, various protocols for international testing, and improved routes of administration indicates that prostaglandins still hold promise as a useful drug in the management of fertility. Research into potential contraceptive and other clinical uses of prostaglandins continues to be an exciting and expanding field of fundamental and clinical research. The citations and abstracts which are included in this volume have been selected and reproduced from POPINFORM, a computerized on-line information retrieval system which includes in its data base more than 25,000 documents on regulation of fertility. Also included as an Appendix is a bibliography (without abstracts) of 1971 -1973 material on aspects of prostaglandin research that do not involve reproduction. This bibliography was prepared by the Upjohn Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan and is printed here with permission.

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.

Prostaglandin research is one of the most explosive fields in the biological science, and there have been a number of international symposia on this subject. In planning the second Advanced Course in Erice (Sicily) at the "Ettore Majorana" center it was realized that large congresses might not represent the best way to facilitate communication within specialized areas of biologic and medical research. In fact small meetings where in depth discussion is confined to a limited number of scientists, are now generally considered successful vehicles of scientific information. With this in mind, we made an effort in collecting a number of experts in both experimental and clinical use of these important arachidonate metabolites. We have been very fortunate in bringing together a faculty of international authorities who contributed to the course with brilliant presentations and lively discussion. Thus, this book represents an up-to-date overview of the physiology and pharmacology of different products derived from arachidonic acid metabolism, associated with outstanding suggestions of their clinical potential. It is our hope that from this Advanced Course, and its resulting publication, new ideas concerning the physio pathological role of these compounds will arise together with new directions for future research. We are deeply indebted to NATO for its interest and generous support which made this Second Course a reality.

Arachidonic acid metabolites are known to playa regulatory role in a number of biological systems, in which they function as microenviron mental hormones and intracellular signal mediators. One of the most exciting areas of research of these compounds is the one that studies the relationship between prostaglandins and tumor cell growth and function. In the last few years there has been an extraordinary evolution of data on prostaglandins (and related compounds) and cancer. This vol ume is based on papers presented at the 1986 International Confer ence on Prostaglandins and Cancer organized by the Italian National Research Council and the II University of Rome, and held in Rome, Italy, in June, 1986. This Conference brought together oncologists and specialists in the areas of prostaglandin chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, physiology, cellular and molecular biology to overview the actual state of knowledge on the role of eicosanoids in cancer and to focus on the key questions that need to be answered. The picture that comes out of this book describes a very complicated network of interactions between arachidonic acid metabolites and different as pects of the complex phenomenon "cancer". Eicosanoids participate in carcinogenesis initiation and promotion, and their relationship with tumor promoters and growth factors is well established. During cancer growth, different prostaglandins can have different roles in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation and in metastasis formation; meanwhile evidence is accumulating for a pos sible use of some of these compounds as antineoplastic agents.