Access & Advocacy

SITC Policy Blog

Announcing Increasing Access to IO: A Global Webinar Series

By SITC Advocacy posted yesterday
The Global Access and Impact Committee, in collaboration with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, is pleased to launch SITC's first educational program crafted specifically for international audiences, titled " Increasing Access to IO: A Global Webinar Series ". This series will serve as an excellent resource for all stakeholders interested in learning about the application of immunotherapy, as well as the infrastructure and resources ...
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SITC and Association of Cancer Care Center collaborate on new webinar

By SITC Advocacy posted 22 days ago
SITC and ACCC have collaborated on a new webinar aimed at providing further details on the Expanding Access to Cellular and Bispecific Therapy Workshop. This webinar featured expert speakers that provided perspective and thoughts on how to further access to these therapies in the community setting. A full recording of the webinar can be found at this LINK.
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SITC provides comment on Draft FDA Guidance

By SITC Advocacy posted 29 days ago
SITC has provided full comments on a recently released FDA Draft Guidance: "Potency Assurance for Cellular and Gene Therapy Products". Please find the letter in its entirety HERE .
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SITC provides meeting coverage on March 15th ODAC meeting

By SITC Advocacy posted 03-20-2024
SITC has provided meeting coverage of the March 15th ODAC meeting. The coverage includes an overview of the discussion, including representation of the different stakeholder perspectives on each issue, as well as a summary of all recommendations from ODAC. The coverage can be found in its entirety HERE .
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SITC provides letter to Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC)

By SITC Advocacy posted 03-12-2024
SITC has provided a letter to ODAC providing insight into the implications of control arm crossover use within clinical trials. The letter also provides support for the use of Progression Free Survival as a viable surrogate endpoint within clinical trials. Please find the letter in its entirety HERE .
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SITC on the Hill 2024 - Thank you Dr. Tarhini

By SITC Advocacy posted 03-05-2024
Thank you to Dr. Ahmad Tarhini from Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute for partici pating in SITC’s 2024 Capitol Hill Visits. Dr. Tarhini met with Senator Rubio’s and Representative Castor’s offices to advocate for inclusion of SITC’s FY25 appropriations language aimed at improving Immunotherapy resear ch i n early sta ge diseases. See SITC’s full FY25 language here: SITC FY25 Appropriations ...
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SITC on the Hill 2024 - Thank you Dr. Singh

By SITC Advocacy posted 03-05-2024
Thank you to Dr. Nathan Singh from Washington University School of Medicine for participating in SITC’s 2024 Capitol Hill Visits. Dr. Singh met with Senator Hawley ’s and Representative B ush ’s offices to advocate for inclusion of SITC’s FY25 appropriations language aimed at improving Immunotherapy research in early stage diseases. See SITC’s full FY25 language here: SITC FY25 Appropriations Language.pd f
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SITC on the Hill 2024 - Thank you Dr. Yeung

By SITC Advocacy posted 03-05-2024
Thank you to Dr. Cecilia Yeung from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center for participating in SITC’s 2024 Capitol Hill Visits. Dr. Yeung met with Senator Murray’s, Senator Cantwell’ s and Representative Jayapal ’s offices to advocate for inclusion of SITC’s FY25 appropriations language aimed at improving Immunotherapy research i n early stage diseases. See SITC’s full FY25 language here: SITC FY25 Appropriations Language.pd ...
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SITC on the Hill 2024 - Thank you Dr. Orentas

By SITC Advocacy posted 03-05-2024
Thank you to Dr. Rimas Orentas from Caring Cross for participating in SITC’s 202 4 Capitol Hill Visits. Dr. Orentas met with Senator Van Hollen's, Senator Cardin's and Representative Trone’s offices to advocate for inclusion of SITC’s FY25 appropriations language aimed at improving Immunotherapy research in early stage diseases. See SITC’s full FY25 language here: SITC FY25 Appropriations Language.pdf
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New collaborative webinar series with the National Cancer Institute on AI in IO

By SITC Advocacy posted 03-01-2024
SITC and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are pleased to launch their fourth "SITC-NCI Computational Immuno-oncology Webinar Series" throughout May-December 2024. This year's series will focus specifically on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) across the field of immuno-oncology (IO). Organized by the SITC Big Data and Data Sharing Committee, these nine free-to-attend digital events will help individual research labs to embrace the ...
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SITC on the Hill 2024 - Thank you Dr. Hopewell

By SITC Advocacy posted 02-29-2024
Thank you to Dr. Emily Hopewell from Indiana University for participating in SITC’s 2024 Capitol Hill Visits. Dr. Hopewell met with Senator Young ’s and Representative Baird ’s offices to advocate for inclusion of SITC’s FY25 appropriations language aimed at improving Immunotherapy research in early-stage diseases. See SITC’s full FY25 language here: SITC FY25 Appropriations Language.pdf
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SITC on the Hill 2024 - Thank you Dr. Weiner

By SITC Advocacy posted 02-29-2024
Thank you to Dr. George Weiner from University of Iowa , Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center for pa rticipating in SITC’s 2024 Capitol Hill Visits. Dr. Weiner met with Senator Ernst’s , Senator Grassley’s and Re presentative Nunn’s offices to advocate for inclusion of SITC’s FY25 appropriations language aimed at improving Immunotherapy research in early-stage diseases. See SITC’s full FY25 language here: SITC ...
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SITC on the Hill 2024 - Thank you Dr. Hurwitz

By SITC Advocacy posted 02-29-2024
Thank you to Dr. Michael Hurwitz from Yale Cancer Center for participating in SITC’s 202 4 Capitol Hill Visits. Dr. Hurwitz met with Senator Blumenthal’s and Senator Murphy’s offices to advocate for inclusion of SITC’s FY25 appropriations language aimed at improving Immunotherapy research in early stage diseases. See SITC’s fu ll FY25 language here: SITC FY25 Appropriations Language.pdf
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SITC on the Hill 2024

By SITC Advocacy posted 02-14-2024
SITC is excited to kick off our annual spring Capitol Hill visits! Similar to years past, SITC volunteers will be meeting with their home offices to discuss and advocate for inclusion of specific report language into the FY25 appropriation bills that fund the federal government. Traditionally, SITC has advocated for language directed at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Food & Drug Administration (FDA) urging them to prioritize pressing ...
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SITC signs on to letter being led by One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC)

By SITC Advocacy posted 02-07-2024
SITC has signed on to a letter led by OVAC regarding a top line funding deal. Please find the letter in its entirety HERE .
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SITC provides comment ot U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions regarding rare diseases

By SITC Advocacy posted 01-11-2024
SITC has responded to a recent Senate committee RFI related to rare diseases. SITC's full comments can be found included in the letter HERE .
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SITC provides comment on Draft FDA Guidance

By SITC Advocacy posted 10-20-2023
SITC has provided comments on a recently released FDA Draft Guidance: "Manufacturing Changes and Comparability for Human Cellular and Gene Therapy Products". Please find the letter in its entirety HERE .
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SITC provides comment on CMS Proposed Outpatient Perspective Payment System (OPPS)

By SITC Advocacy posted 09-05-2023
SITC has put together comments on the recently released CMS Proposed OPPS rule. These comments are in alignment with the field and other major cancer focused societies. SITC's full comments can be found HERE .
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SITC provides comment on Draft FDA Guidance

By SITC Advocacy posted 07-26-2023
SITC provided comments on a recently release FDA Draft Guidance: "Decentralized Clinical Trials for Drugs Biological Products and Devices". Please find the letter in its entirety HERE .
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'Appropriate Intervention of Immune Related Diarrhea and Colitis' quality measure placed on CMS Measure Value Pathway (MVP)

By SITC Advocacy posted 07-14-2023
SITC's quality measure on 'Appropriate Intervention of Immune Related Diarrhea and Colitis' has been included into the Oncology MIPS Value Pathway. To see the measure and MVP in their entirety follow this LINK .
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SITC Co-Hosts Briefing on “The Promise of Cancer Immunotherapy”

In collaboration with the House Cancer Caucus, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) co-hosted a congressional briefing, “The Promise of Cancer Immunotherapy,” on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in the Rayburn House Office Building. Leading experts discussed various aspects of cancer immunotherapy and the promise that lies ahead with further support from the federal government. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), a co-chairman of the House Cancer Caucus, also delivered remarks.

Panelists included:

  • George J. Weiner, MD – University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Marc S. Ernstoff, MD – Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Michael B. Atkins, MD – Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Crystal L. Mackall, MD – Stanford University
  • Kathryn Bell  –  Cancer Patient Survivor

As always, SITC encourages stakeholders in the field to reach out to members of Congress in support of funding and advancing cancer immunotherapy research.

More details and photos can be found by viewing past tweets and by searching the hashtag, #SITContheHill.



SITC co-hosts a briefing on “The Promise of Cancer Immunotherapy”

Cancer Immunotherapy Fact Sheets

Transforming Cancer Treatment

Advances in cancer treatment have evolved dramatically during the past decade, and continue to change and shape the way oncologists treat patients and train staff. Understanding cancer treatment options can be confusing for patients and their families.

In collaboration with Friends of Cancer Research (Friends), the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) has developed new value fact sheets in a language accessible by both patients and advocates outlining the pathways and unique benefits of immunotherapy compared to other cancer treatments.

Please click on the infographics below to learn more about critical data and basic information regarding cancer immunotherapy.

IO1-v4-72dpi.jpg IO2-v4-72dpi.jpg IO3-v4-72dpi.jpg IO1-v4-72dpi2.jpg

This project is supported, in part, by a grant from Pfizer, Inc./EMD Serono.

Appropriations Report Language

SITC annually drafts report language for consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees to be incorporated into appropriations bills. Incorporation of report language helps advocate for funding of federal agencies supporting cancer immunotherapy research and regulation, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Cancer Institute (NCI). Continue reading below to view past language submitted on behalf of the society to the FDA and NCI.

Policy Comment Letters

SITC volunteers draft and provide comment when federal agencies offer opportunities to discuss relevant efforts that may affect the field of cancer immunotherapy. SITC comment letters ensure that the society provides a voice during consideration of policy changes that may affect cancer immunotherapy research, regulation, or reimbursement. The comment letters include those submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Please continue reading below to view past submitted letters on behalf of the society.

Contact SITC

If you have partnership or policy-related questions, please contact SITC staff at SITCExecOffice@sitcancer.org.

Archive

Read about how SITC has been active in policy and advocacy in recent years: