Pre-Conference Programs • Nov. 9–10, 2020

Pre-Conference Programs
Additional registration was required

Monday, Nov. 9, 2020

Workshop on Engineering Immune Cells for Cancer Therapy


CAR T treatments have led to improved outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancies. However, the same level of success has not been achieved in most solid tumors, and other immune cell types beyond T cells are also being explored preclinically and clinically. This workshop highlighted the multitude of cellular therapy approaches being applied for the treatment of cancer, including many T cell strategies, alternative immune cells, practical considerations and novel technologies.

Throughout four didactic sessions led by experts in the field and participation in four engaging panel discussions, attendees discussed a number of topics, including:

  • CAR T cell therapies
  • Non-CAR T cell approaches, including TILs and TCRs
  • Alternative immune cell therapies, such as with NK cells, B cells, and macrophages
  • Novel technologies for translational cellular therapies

It is anticipated that the efforts of this workshop will fuel innovative collaborative efforts as well as the dissemination of knowledge throughout the field.
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Immunotherapy Resistance and Failure


While many patients with cancer are experiencing significant long-term benefits from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the vast majority exhibit either primary or secondary (acquired) resistance to these therapies. The underlying mechanisms for the wide range of responses are not well understood, but are hypothesized to include both tumor cell-intrinsic and –extrinsic pathways. Before ICI resistant/relapsed patients can be properly managed, however, these underlying causes need to be elucidated, which will enable rational design of therapeutic options based on these mechanisms of resistance. Testing of therapies in this ICI-resistant population also presents unique questions, including defining resistance and proper clinical trial design strategies.
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Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 

Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™


The understanding of cancer immunobiology has increased dramatically in recent years, leading to the successful development of novel immune-based treatment options to improve cancer patient outcomes. The SITC Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™ is designed to provide a foundation for understanding core immunology principles as they relate to basic and clinical research in immunotherapy of cancer. New this year, the Primer also touched on emerging therapies and technologies to ensure attendees at all levels stay updated in our expanding field, while also laying a comprehensive foundational base for all SITC 2020 attendees.
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Grant Writing Workshop: Get your reviewers "hooked" on your specific aims page


This program outlined funding opportunities and how to navigate those, address critical points of government and private sector grant submissions, and give attendees the tools to identify points that determine the success or failure of a grant proposal, helping them to optimize the process of grant re-submission.
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