PREFACE

This report summarizes the activities of the US-Japan Cooperative Cancer Research Program for the period between April 1997 through March 1998. This is the fifth year of the five-year period of the Program’s operation. In this volume, detailed scientific progress reports from each of the four program areas are given along with an administrative summary outlining overall activities.
Since its inception in May 1974, the US-Japan Cooperative Cancer Research Program has been instrumental in establishing a close working relationship between researchers and clinicians in the fields of academic as well as biotechnology and industry in providing an important means of exchanging scientific information, modern technology, and materials. These activities have significantly contributed to the impressive progress that has marked cancer research and treatment in recent years.
In 1994, the Program was renewed for a fifth five-year period beginning April 1, 1994 to March 31 , 1999, that has been approved by the National Cancer Institute and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. We are confident that the Program will continue to grow and bear fruit, thus bringing valuable contributions to scientific communities and cancer patients of both countries. Application of research and technology for cancer control programs will benefit our society to an enormous extent.
Drs. Takashi Sugimura, Haruo Sugano, Richard Hodes, Michael Friedman, Makoto Ogawa and Robert Miller who have been energetically and skillfully supported the Program as the coordinator rendered the responsibility to Drs. Masaaki Terada (Etiology), Tomoyuki Kitagawa (Interdisciplinary) and Michaele Christian (Treatment). The major success of the Program in the past several years may be attributed in significant part to there contributions. All U.S. and Japanese members would like to express our sincere gratitude and wish to their continued success and happy future.
The dedicated contributions to the Ms, Beverly J.Schaff of the National Cancer Institute are greatly acknowledged.