The second conference on 'Proteases and protease inhibitors in cancer' was organized by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and Acta Pathologica Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS). To understand the role of proteinases and to develop relevant synthetic inhibitors to stop or slow the progression of cancer, an integrated view on the role of proteinases and proteinase inhibitors in required. This is the main goal of this series of conferences. Approximately 300 people attended this conference, including many highly regarded scientists in the field. In total, 40 invited lectures were presented and 120 posters were displayed during two well-attended sessions.