Malignant mesothelioma as both a challenge and an opportunity.

The International Mesothelioma Interest Group sponsored its 7th international meeting in Brescia, Italy from June 24–26, 2004. The meeting, entitled ‘How advanced technology and new drugs are changing the perspectives of patients with malignant mesothelioma’, was organized by Luciano Mutti (Vercelli, Italy) and GF Tassi (Brescia, Italy) and was attended by 350 participants. The general tone of the meeting was that real progress is now coming in the understanding of mesothelioma biology, progress that may soon translate into improved treatment options. The investigators and clinicians agreed on the importance of referring patients with mesothelioma to centers with expertise where patients can receive the best available treatments and can be offered entry into clinical trials of new and promising agents.