Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™

Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™

A Pre-Conference Program; additional registration was required

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 on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™ 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.

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020*

9 a.m. - 3:55 p.m.  EST

*Dates and times subject to change. 

Program Organizers

  • Michael A. Curran, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Yvonne Saenger, MD – Columbia University Irving Medical Center 

SITC's Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™ is supported in part by grants from Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer, Inc.

Program Schedule*

*Program schedule subject to change. 

Session I: Generating Anti-Tumor Immunity
9 a.m.  Introduction
Michael A. Curran, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
9:05 a.m.  The Adaptive Immune Response
Jonathan Powell, MD, PhD – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
9:35 a.m.  Dendritic Cells and Myeloid cues in the Tumor Microenvironment
Niroshana Anandasabapathy, MD, PhD - Weill Cornell Medicine
10 a.m.  Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells as Negative Regulators of Immune Responses in Cancer
Dmitry I. Gabrilovich, MD, PhD – AstraZeneca
10:25 a.m. Session I Panel Discussion - Session I Speakers
10:40 a.m. Break
Session II: Approaches to Immunotherapy I
10:55 a.m. Introduction
Michael A. Curran, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
11 a.m. T cell Checkpoint Blockade/Costimulation
James P. Allison, PhD - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
11:25 a.m. Cancer Vaccines
Ugur Sahin, MD – BioNTech Group
11:50 a.m. The Suppressive Yin Versus Pro-Inflammatory Yang of the Tumor Myeloid Stroma
Michael A. Curran, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
12:15 p.m. Session II Panel Discussion - Session II Speakers 
12:30 p.m. Break
Session III: Approaches to Immunotherapy II
12:50 p.m. Introduction
Yvonne Saenger, MD – Columbia University/New York Presbyterian
12:55 p.m. Be all that you can B: Imprinting an Antitumor T cell Army
Chrystal M. Paulos, PhD – Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University
1:20 p.m. Immunometabolism and its Potential to Modify the Tumor Microenvironment
Greg M. Delgoffe, PhD – University of Pittsburgh
1:45 p.m. Mobilizing the Immune System with Bispecific Antibodies
John R. Desjarlais, PhD – Xencor, Inc.
2:10 p.m. Session III Panel Discussion - Session III Speakers
2:25 p.m. Break
Session IV: Clinical Practice of Immunotherapy
2:40 p.m. Introduction
Michael A. Curran, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2:45 p.m. Immune Biomarkers to Guide Clinical Care
Yvonne Saenger, MD – Columbia University/New York Presbyterian
3:10 p.m. Immune Related Adverse Events
Michael Postow, MD – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 
3:35 p.m. Session IV Panel Discussion - Session IV Speakers
3:50 p.m. Closing Remarks
Yvonne Saenger, MD – Columbia University/New York Presbyterian


Target Audience

The target audience for this annual, one-day educational program includes students, postdoctoral fellows and technicians from academia and industry, as well as physicians and scientists at more senior levels who wish to solidify their understanding of tumor immunology and immunotherapy, pharmacists and registered nurses.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Describe the key principles of tumor immunology and immunotherapy
  • Review current approaches to immunotherapy including immune checkpoint modulation, activation of myeloid cells, modulation of tumor metabolism, T/NK cell adoptive transfer and bispecific antibodies
  • Outline immune monitoring techniques as well as biomarker strategies and their role in trial design and patient selection
  • Enhance scientific exchange with colleagues and collaborators on research and application of cancer immunotherapies to improve outcomes of patients with cancer

Continuing Education

This program will be accredited to offer CME, CNE, CPE and MOC credits.


Jointly_Accredited_Provider_Logo.jpg

SITC_Primer_2019.jpg
SITC_2019_Primer_2.jpg