OBJECTIVES: In response to increasing interest in cross-cultural issues, the International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQoL) created a special interest group in the field of translation and cultural adaptation (TCA-SIG).  The aims are: 1) to identify and advance research in the fields of translation and cultural adaptation of PRO measures, and 2) to provide an evidence database on translation and cultural adaptation of PROs. METHODS: The 21 member TCA-SIG counts 3 subgroups pursuing individual objectives to meet the overall aims: 1) the cross-cultural issues subgroup addresses issues related to the access of copyrighted instruments, the translation of PROs and their use in e-format; 2) the Translation Methodology subgroup pursues a research agenda for the development of methodologies in the field of translation and cross-cultural research; and 3) the pooling of cross-cultural data subgroup investigates methods for analyzing the ability to pool PRO data across translations and develops criteria for when pooling is not justified. RESULTS: 1)The first subgroup put together a list of recommendations for developers and users of PRO measures based on the review of translation difficulties and copyright issues; 2) The second subgroup has completed a first analysis to identify the most crucial aspect in the standard PRO translation methodology based on the review of errors avoided during each translation step.  It is also involved in establishing criteria for an international certification programme for PRO translations; 3) The third subgroup is currently analyzing clinical trial data obtained from 3 PRO measures from multiple clinical trials in different countries.  Concrete examples of the work of the 3 subgroups will be given in the presentation. CONCLUSIONS: The ISOQoL TCA-SIG is involved in projects to identify and advance research in the fields of translation and cross-cultural adaptation.  Links with similar activities within ISPOR should be explored to coordinate efforts.