International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML)
The ICML, literally “International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma,” is an internationally-renowned conference aimed at physicians, researchers, and professionals working on lymphatic system cancers. This event takes place in Lugano over five days, every two years, when the city is transformed into a vibrant hub of scientific discussion, welcoming thousands of participants, representatives from pharmaceutical companies, and scientific associations.
First organised in 1981, the ICML has grown exponentially over the years, becoming the global benchmark for those dedicated to the study and treatment of malignant lymphoma. Thanks to this conference, Lugano is now known worldwide, to the point that the “Lugano Classification” is used today in the assessment of patients with malignant lymphoma.
Since the last two editions, it has been possible to attend the ICML remotely, thereby allowing broader access to the high-level content and discussions that characterise this conference.
Website
Contacts
International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML)
Via Vincenzo Vela 6
6500 Bellinzona, Svizzera
info@icml.ch
Direction
President
Prof. Franco Cavalli
Chair of the Organizing Committee
Prof. Francesco Bertoni
History and milestones
1979
The origins of ICML
The idea for an international conference on malignant lymphoma came about in 1979, when three oncologists, Franco Cavalli, Gianni Bonadonna, and Marcel Rozencweig, met in Lugano during an international workshop.
One evening, after the workshop, they decided to go out for a beer, and it was during that informal conversation that the ICML was conceived.
The next day, 500 hotel rooms were booked in Lugano for the first ICML Conference.
1981
The first ICML in 1981
At that time, there was no international conference that focused on malignant lymphoma, and even today, the ICML remains the leading event in this field.
The first conference was attended by 560 participants, with the presentation of 61 papers and 48 posters, selected from 350 abstracts.
Today, there are 120 oral presentations and 300 posters, chosen from around one thousand abstracts, many of which come from the United States.
1996
An important milestone
In 1996, the ICML achieved a significant milestone in the classification of lymphoma. Before then, classification methods were varied and inconsistent. Thanks to a study funded by the San Salvatore Foundation in Lugano, involving around ten pathology institutes, including the one in Locarno,
the ICML succeeded in validating the "Revised European-American Classification (REAL)," which globally standardised the classification of lymphatic tumours and allowed for a more precise selection of therapies.
2011
The "Lugano Classification" is created
In a closed workshop during the 11th ICML, the decision was made to revise the lymphoma staging method, which classified the tumour into four stages, each with specific therapies. As a result of this revision of the Ann Arbor classification, the "Lugano Classification" was created, incorporating new imaging diagnostic methods, such as PET scans. Today, this classification is used worldwide. A possible update to this classification was discussed during the 17th ICML in 2023.
2021
Remote participation
Remote participation in the conference has been made possible since 2021, when the ICML was held entirely in virtual format due to the pandemic, thus expanding access to the high-level content and discussions that characterise this conference. This opportunity has contributed to the continued international success of the ICML, making the event even more inclusive and accessible to a global audience of professionals and researchers.
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