INTRODUCTION Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a lethal disease affecting children, adolescents and mature adults. However, over the past three decades, as a direct consequence of the application of multidisciplinary care delivered by CF centres worldwide, the disease has changed from one of childhood killer into prolonged adult survival. The basic defect in CF affects all ductal systems of the body and is truly a disease with multiple systemic manifestations. As patients with CF have grown older many unexpected complications have emerged from Pandora’s box to further complicate the lives of CF patients and test the management skills of clinicians. Scientific research into this disease has flourished as demonstrated by the increasing number of sessions devoted to this area at respiratory meetings in Europe and North America. It is, therefore, timely that the European Respiratory Journal is publishing a Monograph devoted exclusively to CF. The editors have recruited recognised leaders to write about cutting edge topics of interest both to clinicians and scientists in this field. We are grateful to the authors who have produced superb reviews of their various areas of expertise. We invite all those either with an interest or who want to know more about this fascinating disease to read these reviews and use them as a source of reference and a continuing learning curve. Eur Respir Mon, 2006, 35, viii. Printed in UK - all rights reserved. Copyright ERS Journals Ltd 2006 European Respiratory Monograph ISSN 1025-448x. VIII