20th Anniversary of the Society for Melanoma Research: Celebrating two decades of progress in melanoma research

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great enthusiasm that we look forward to welcoming you to Philadelphia to celebrate a milestone for the melanoma research community: the 20th Anniversary of the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR). The SMR was established in 2003 during the First International Melanoma Research Congress in Philadelphia. Meenhard Herlyn and Kate O'Neill were the driving force behind the inaugural SMR congress. Kate O'Neill wanted to honor the memory of her sister Noreen, who sadly lost her battle with melanoma. Four years earlier, Kate, Noreen, and Meenhard came together to establish the Noreen O'Neill Foundation for Melanoma Research, which served as the sponsor for the first SMR congress. They jointly envisioned a global community of basic scientists and clinicians sharing their expertise to combat one of the most challenging and deadly forms of cancer. Over the years this vision has become a reality, and a united community with almost 700 members has emerged. The SMR Congress brings together clinicians and scientists from diverse backgrounds to openly share their insights and latest research, and foster collective efforts aimed at battling melanoma.

The SMR has fostered numerous productive collaborations and nurtured the growth of rising talents. By promoting mentorship, exchange of knowledge and resources, and open discussions within the society's annual meetings, the SMR has supported the career of both junior and established researchers, as well as inspired the next generation of melanoma scientists.

In the past 20 years, groundbreaking discoveries and novel therapeutic approaches have shaped the landscape of melanoma treatment. From decoding the complexities of melanoma genetics, unraveling the intricate interactions within the tumor microenvironment, to developing immunotherapies that have revolutionized the treatment of melanoma, the collective efforts of the SMR community have brought us closer to conquering this challenging disease.

To mark the SMR's 20th Anniversary, some of our colleagues reflect on the past two decades, revisiting pivotal moments, landmark discoveries, and the evolution of our society. In this special issue of PCMR, the contributing authors will take us through a journey, tracing the progress of the field under the SMR umbrella.

We sincerely thank our colleagues who have contributed to this special issue, and those who have been part of this journey—researchers, clinicians, trainees, patients, and advocates. The progress made is tangible proof of the power of collaboration, which has placed the melanoma field at the forefront of cancer research uncovering a therapeutic armamentarium that has revolutionized the clinical management of melanoma.

We invite you to join us in Philadelphia to celebrate the accomplishments of the field and the many melanoma researchers who have dedicated their careers to investigating and combating this challenging disease. Here is to 20 more years of progress, exciting discoveries, and many more breakthroughs that lie ahead in our quest to defeat melanoma.

Sincerely,

The 20th International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research Organizing Committee.