Volume 39 of "Progress in Drug Research" contains eight reviews and the various indexes which facilitate its use and establish the con­ nection with the previous volumes. The articles in this volume deal with polyamines as tumor markers; the histamine (H3)-receptor and its role as a general regulatory system; with cytokines as immunosti­ mulants and immunosuppressants as well as potential anticancer agents; with fibrinolysis and clinical use of thrombolytic agents; and with catechol O-methyltransferase and its inhibitors, which are of potential interest in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. An exten­ sive review on antihistamines (HI) provides an excellent survey of this area in drug research. In the 32 years that "Progress in Drug Research" has existed, the Editor has enjoyed the valuable help and advice of many colleagues. Readers, the authors of the reviews, and, last but not least, the review­ ers have all contributed greatly to the success of the series. Although the comments received so far have generally been favorable, it is nevertheless necessary to analyze and to reassess the current position and the future direction of such a review series.