The venue of the 11th Forum, in 2007, is still to be decided.

The 10th Biennial Forum on Ovarian Cancer 2005

Our most recent forum took place in early April 2005, in Washington DC.

52 scientists and clinicians from around the world gathered to spend an intensive and unusual 4 days immersed in discussions, debates and presentations about the latest understandings in ovarian cancer. Each participant was selected for the quality, novelty, range and relevance of their work, by our virtual scientific committee, ably led by Prof. Fran Balkwill of St Bartholomews and Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

"There was an excellent breadth of vision across all areas of the disease. HHMT invited surgeons, pathologists, oncologists, obstetric gynaecologist, clinical researchers and basic scientists. We had view points from such a broad spectrum of people, The small number of people attending, compared to other meetings, allowed discussions and collaborations to form that would not be possible at other meetings. I am hopeful to collaborate on exciting projects, which I could not have done by myself."

Dr Amy Skubitz, Director and Associate Professor, Dept of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota.

This has been my first HHMT meeting and I can truly say that is has definitely been the best meeting on ovarian cancer that I have attended. I was pleasantly surprised to meet so many scientists from various countries around the globe and have a productive exchange of ideas. The interactions between basic scientists and clinicians and the international collaborations that have been set up at this meeting are tremendously important. The great format allows honest debate, open discussion and free exchange of ideas.

Dr Daniela Danilescu, HHMT Fellowship Winner 2005, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Participants came from the UK, France, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Nigeria and Serbia and Montenegro, and covered the full range of research areas including

• Molecular biology and molecular genetics
• Cell biology and translational studies
• Ovarian cancer treatment, prevention and screening

Six travelling and two observer fellowships were awarded to younger researchers with a strong interest and growing track record in ovarian cancer. These awards are a way encouraging researchers to focus on the disease and provide them with invaluable opportunities to mix, collaborate and share ideas with the best in the world. From their presentations, one researcher is given the title HHMT Fellow (click to find out more). This year the title was given to Daniela Dinulescu from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.

Following on from the meeting, our position paper outlining current research and areas for new development will be published shortly in the journal Cancer Research.

We already know that plans are being progressed for some key collaborations, as a direct result of the meeting, and we hope to keep you informed of their progress.

Our thanks should go to the organising committee led by Professor Tom Hamilton of Fox Chase Cancer Centre, USA, and Dr Jeff Boyd of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre, USA.