Metastasis Research Society

The broad vision is to de-throne metastasis as a disease that steals lives by obtaining research results that translate to patients having a decent quality of life while managing metastasis as a chronic condition, with the ultimate goal of achieving a cure.

The mission is to support progressive research on processes fundamental to metastasis. This includes supporting the exchange of information between researchers, clinicians, industry, and patients.

It also strive to educate the public about metastatic cancer, and raise awareness about the funding discrepancy for metastatic research worldwide.

The Metastasis Research Society (MRS) is dedicated to promoting the furtherance of research into all aspects of metastasis, and the exchange of information about this disease process amongst key stakeholders. These objectives will be achieved through the following aims:

(i) Providing a forum that promotes interactions, collaborations and information exchange between pre-clinical, clinical and pharmaceutical company researchers world-wide

(ii) Organizing metastasis-relevant conferences and other scientific events

(iii) Publishing research findings and reviews in the Society’s scientific journals

(iv) Fostering the career development of early stage researchers

(v) Increasing awareness of the importance of metastasis research and the need for increased financial support in this field

(vi) Interacting with patient advocacy groups and supporting them in their work

These aims are realized through global interaction and collaboration among members, the organization of major Metastasis Research Society Congresses held every two years (alternating between the Western and Eastern hemispheres) and publication of high quality, peer-reviewed research papers and reviews in the official journals of the Society, Clinical and Experimental Metastasis and Cancer and Metastasis Reviews.

Accomplishments in Cancer Metastasis are recognized with the following Awards from the Metastasis Research Society:

1)  Excellence in the field is recognized by the Paget-Ewing Award. The Paget-Ewing Award is named after Sir Stephen Paget and Dr. James Ewing, pioneers in metastasis research in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who proposed the two major theories to explain organ selectivity of metastasis. The Paget-Ewing Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Metastasis Research Society and honors a person's scientific excellence and substantial contributions to the understanding and/or control of cancer metastasis.

2)  Innovative contributions to metastasis research that influencing the direction -- either technically or conceptually -- of the field is recognized with the I.J. "Josh" Fidler Innovation in Metastasis Research Award. This award acknowledges the special contributions of Dr. Fidler, who developed new models, shifted the manner in which metastasis is studied in experimental settings, contributed to our fundamental understanding of tumor progression and heterogeneity and continues to be instrumental in translating laboratory findings into the clinical management of metastatic disease.

3)  The Kurt Hellman award is given to an investigator who has contributed significantly to the translation of metastasis research into clinical practice. The award, sponsored by Novartis, is open to all members of the research community apart from current members of the Board of Directors of the Metastasis Research Society.

4)  The MRS Young Investigator Award honors excellent metastasis research performed by members of the MRS who are 40 years old or less. Eligible work for consideration should have been carried out after postdoctoral training and before tenure. Self-nomination is possible but members of the MRS board are not eligible. 

The MRS creates a public forum for discussion of metastasis through the organization of international conferences:

As our understanding of metastasis increases and the Society grows, it is intended to increase the frequency of Conferences, to encourage small, interim workshops on special topics, and to foster the exchange of knowledge and personnel between research laboratories world-wide. We also intent on increasing awareness of the importance of metastasis research in the general public and also government and funding agencies.

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