​History  and Goals Of The Aspen Cancer Conference

The ASPEN CANCER CONFERENCE, a series of yearly meetings conceived by Dr. Benjamin F. Trump and
Dr. Curtis C. Harris, was begun in 1985.  On February 25, 2008, Dr. Benjamin F. Trump passed away and the scientific world lost one of its great leaders, experimentalists, clinicians and teachers. To continue his legacy to science the  ASPEN CANCER CONFERENCE decided to dedicate a forum for young scientists to be allowed to present poster abstracts annually at each conference. In Dr. Trump’s honor, an annual Fellowship has been provided each year to a young scientist, the Benjamin F. Trump Fellow, and a more advanced scientist has been invited to present the Benjamin F. Trump Lecture. The first Lecture was presented by James E. Klaunig, Ph.D., the Director of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Indiana University School of Medicine, and at this years 36th Aspen Cancer Conference we were honored to have Peter Vogt, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Molecular Medicine and Executive Vice President for Scientific Affairs with The Scripps Research Institute, as our Benjamin F. Trump Lecture.  This years Benjamin F. Trump Fellow nominated by our Board was Joanna Kovalski, Ph.D., of the University of California, San Francisco, as well as an American Cancer Society chosen fellow.  

The CONFERENCE has continued to emphasize the relationships between toxicity and carcinogenesis and the identification of novel strategies in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. It is evident that new paradigms are needed to explain that an increasing number of mutagenic and non-mutagenic agents result in carcinogenesis, that cell injury and death, repair, and inflammation are constant companions of cancer development, and that what has been termed “tumor promotion” is a very complex issue. Recent developments in cancer genetics, including the role of tumor suppressor genes, underline this principle. Also discussed are molecular and clinical advances in causation, diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of human diseases including cancer.

The purpose of these meetings was and continues to be the assembly of a group of leading scientists working in a wide range of disciplines and representing industry, government and academia to confer formally and informally on current concepts and aspects of research which transcend the normal boundaries that often exist between different scientific disciplines, agencies and organizations.

In order to plan for future CONFERENCES  in a meaningful way, ongoing financial support from industry, foundations, and academia is essential. We invite organizations with a particular interest in the topics and recommendations of these CONFERENCES to become Sustaining Sponsors of the ASPEN CANCER CONFERENCE. In 2018 Stand Up To Cancer joined our efforts by becoming our Pitkin Presenting Sponsor at the $100,000 level and has partnered in the conference with our symposium offering a day of their handpicked speakers and topics that have brought our conference to a new level of scientific discussion and discoveries.  In 2023, the American Cancer Society offered to join our efforts by becoming a Silver Queen Gold Sponsor at the $50,000 level and has brought impressive speakers and topics to our conference that are setting us apart from any other conference offered to date.  To continue to offer the foresight of Dr. Benjamin F. Trump in regards to our Fellow Program, The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research has joined our efforts in 2023 and marked the first year to have a Fellows Program Sponsor at the $25,000 level. The Fellows Poster Abstract evening continues to be the highlight of our CONFERENCE and the 16 Fellows that were nominated to participate this year brought their abstracts, scientific ideas and outgoing personalities and presented a 2 hour forum to all who came to participate and helped make the Fellows Program our best yet.  

During recent years, the emphasis has focused increasingly on the molecular aspects of toxicity and carcinogenesis, and the relationship between the two as they relate to human risk. The format consists of invited presentations and discussions in the mornings, and poster sessions and informal discussions in the afternoons and evenings, fostered by the environment provided in Aspen, Colorado. One of our goals is to sponsor attendance by post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, medical students, veterinary students, and young faculty, with special efforts made to guarantee diversity. We have encouraged the participation of young investigators for the last several conferences, and have included poster sessions through which informal contact in mutual areas of interest can be made with established investigators. This, along with sessions on the applications of new technology in related areas of research, should assist greatly in future developments in these fields.

Extended abstracts and poster abstracts for CONFERENCES from 1987-2006 were published in Toxicologic Pathology each respective year. Molecular Carcinogenesis published yearly meeting reports through 2009. To further communicate the results of the CONFERENCE, this website (www.aspencancerconference.org) was established where CONFERENCE abstracts can be viewed and the program from each year can be downloaded for your benefit.  

Our goal is to continue to bring the top of the industry leaders, investigators and young scientists together at one spectacular location yearly(Aspen, Colorado) and to help breach the gap in scientific research and discovery and continue to bring excellence from the laboratory to the clinic. We hope you will join us in our mission and offer to sponsor us so we can continue this effort for years to come. Any questions on how you can become a part of the ASPEN CANCER CONFERENCE, please reach out to the Conference Administrators, Megan Harris Boucher or
Amy Blanford.  We would be happy to discuss any opportunities to further advance our CONFERENCE with you.