The journal publishes original research findings (and reviews solicited by the Editor) on the subject of the identification of markers associated with the disease processes whether or not they are an integral part of the pathological lesion. The disease markers may be a genetic host factor predisposing to the disease or the occurrence of cell-surface markers, enzymes or other components, either in altered forms, abnormal concentrations or with abnormal tissue distribution. This journal is designed to provide a forum for publications dealing with original observations in this developing field on any aspect of the general topic including: Identification of new genetic or non-genetic markers (e.g., cell-surface antigens, serum proteins, intra- and extra-cellular enzymes, cytogenic markers and DNA-sequences); Population studies of new and existing markers, designed to elucidate information on their normal distribution as well as that in disease states; Amplification of knowledge about existing markers; Family studies of markers in disease; New techniques for identification and/or isolation of important marker molecules; Use of monoclonal antibodies for the definition of molecular structures associated with disease markers; Identification of disease-associated abnormalities in DNA using recombinant DNA techniques, gene-cloning and DNA restriction enzyme fragment polymorphisms; Identification of markers identifying malignantly transformed neoplastic cells

該雜志發表了關于識別與疾病過程相關的標記物的原始研究結果(以及編輯征求的評論)，無論這些標記物是否是病變的組成部分。疾病標記物可能是誘發疾病的遺傳宿主因子，也可能是細胞表面標記物、酶或其他成分的發生，以改變的形式、異常的濃度或異常的組織分布。本雜志旨在為出版物提供一個論壇，討論這一發展中領域中關于一般主題的任何方面的原始觀察，包括:識別新的遺傳或非遺傳標記(如細胞表面抗原、血清蛋白、細胞內外酶、細胞遺傳學標記和dna序列);新標記物和現有標記物的人口研究，旨在闡明其正態分布和疾病狀態的信息;擴大現有標記的知識;疾病標志物的家庭研究;識別和/或分離重要標記分子的新技術;利用單克隆抗體定義與疾病標志物相關的分子結構;利用重組DNA技術、基因克隆和DNA限制性內切酶片段多態性鑒定疾病相關的DNA異常;識別惡性轉化腫瘤細胞的標記物。