Preface
The tenth edition of *Cellular and Molecular Immunology* has been extensively updated to reflect major scientific discoveries and expanding clinical applications in the field. While incorporating these advances, the book continues to emphasize clarity, accessibility, and conceptual understanding. The revisions focus on essential principles and emerging insights without substantially increasing the overall length. Numerous sections have been carefully rewritten to enhance precision, coherence, and completeness.
Immunology has evolved from a discipline centered on defining the basic mechanisms of immune responses to one that actively drives the development of therapies for human disease. Over the past two decades, advances in immunological research have led to transformative clinical breakthroughs. The success of modern immunotherapies highlights how a deeper understanding of immune activation and regulation has translated into innovative and effective treatments. This connection between foundational science and clinical practice is particularly evident in the rapid progress of cancer immunotherapy.
Throughout this edition, special emphasis is placed on the clinical relevance of immunological principles and their role in disease pathogenesis and treatment. The global spread of SARS-CoV-2 underscores the critical importance of immunology in modern medicine. Immunologists continue to play a central role in elucidating viral pathogenesis, developing therapeutic strategies, and designing effective vaccines.
In parallel with these translational advances, the book incorporates significant updates in fundamental immunology. These include improved understanding of tissue-resident macrophages, memory T cell diversity, innate immune sensing through inflammasomes and nucleic acid receptors, the molecular sequence of T cell–dependent antibody responses, and mechanisms by which tumors evade immune surveillance and how these barriers can be overcome.
Each chapter is designed to be self-contained, allowing readers to study topics independently. Although this approach requires the repetition of key concepts across chapters, such reinforcement supports learning and helps readers integrate complex ideas. This structure also allows instructors to use individual chapters as the basis for focused lectures.
The visual content of the book has been further refined. Many illustrations have been redesigned for greater clarity and accuracy, and new figures have been added where appropriate. Consistent design features, including highlighted key messages, continue to support readability. Terminology has been standardized using accepted conventions for human genes and proteins. Suggested reading lists emphasize recent review articles, selected foundational studies, and educational resources, including lectures by Nobel Prize recipients in immunology.
This edition also benefits from the contributions of numerous experts who provided valuable insights and materials. The editorial, production, and illustration teams played an essential role in shaping the final work. Above all, the authors remain deeply grateful to their students, whose curiosity and engagement continue to inspire clear thinking and effective communication in the teaching of immunology.
