Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™

A Pre-Conference Program; additional registration is required.

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021*
8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. EST
Liberty Ballroom (Marriott Marquis)

*Dates and times subject to change. 


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. This year, the Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™ will also touch 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 attendees.

Program Organizers

  • Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD – Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Yvonne Saenger, MD – Albert Einstein College of Medicine


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.

SITC's Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™ is supported in part by grants from Genentech, Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme, Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Pfizer, Inc.


Program Schedule*

*Program schedule subject to change. 

Session I: Generating Anti-Tumor Immunity
8–9:55 a.m. EST
Credits: .75 CEs Available
8 a.m.
Introduction
Yvonne Saenger, MD – Albert Einstein College of Medicine 

Credits:
8:05 a.m. 		 No CME credits available
The Adaptive Immune Response
Jonathan D. Powell, MD, PhD – Calico
8:35 a.m.  Overview of Innate Immunity in Cancer Immunotherapy and Complexities of Macrophages
Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD – Brigham and Women's Hospital
Credits:
9:05 a.m.  		No CME credits available
Role of Dendritic Cells in Cancer
Niroshana Anandasabapathy, MD, PhD – Weill Cornell Medicine
9:35 a.m. Session I Panel Discussion 
Moderator: Yvonne Saenger, MD – Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Panelists: Session I Speakers
9:55 a.m. Break
Session II: Approaches to Immunotherapy I
10:10 a.m.–Noon EST
Credits: .75 CEs Available
10:10 a.m. Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Cancer Therapy: New Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms
James P. Allison, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Credits:
10:40 a.m.		 No CME credits available
Myeloid Derived Suppressor cells: From the Biology to Therapy
Dmitry I. Gabrilovich, MD, PhD – AstraZeneca
Credits:
11:10 a.m.		 No CME credits available
Cancer Vaccines
Howard L. Kaufman, MD, FACS – Amkyra Therapeutics/Massachusetts General Hospital
11:40 a.m. Session II Panel Discussion 
Moderator: Yvonne Saenger, MD – Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Panelists: Session II Speakers
Noon Lunch

Session III: Approaches to Immunotherapy II
1:30–3:25 p.m. EST
Credits: 1.75 CEs Available
1:30 p.m. Introduction
Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD – Brigham and Women's Hospital
1:35 p.m. Updates on CAR T Cell Therapies
Carl H. June, MD – University of Pennsylvania

2:05 p.m. Microbiome
Thomas F. Gajewski, MD, PhD – University of Chicago

2:35 p.m. Metabolism in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy
Greg M. Delgoffe, PhD – University of Pittsburgh
3:05 p.m. Session III Panel Discussion 
Moderator: Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD – Brigham and Women's Hospital
Panelists: Session III Speakers
3:25 p.m. Break

Session IV: Clinical Practice of Immunotherapy
3:40–5:30 p.m. EST
Credits: 1.75 CEs Available
3:40 p.m. Immune Biomarkers to Guide Clinical Care
Yvonne Saenger, MD – Albert Einstein College of Medicine

4:10 p.m. Identification and Management of Immune Related Adverse Events
Anna C. Pavlick, MD, MBA – Weill Cornell Medicine
4:40 p.m. What You Need for a Good TIME (Tumor Immune MicroEnvironment)
James L. Gulley, MD, PhD, FACP – National Cancer Institute
5:10 p.m. Session IV Panel Discussion 
Moderator: Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD – Brigham and Women's Hospital
Panelists: Session IV Speakers
5:25 p.m. Closing Remarks
Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD – Brigham and Women's Hospital

SITC Related Resources

SITC offers a variety of resources about immunology and immunotherapy. Explore the pages below to learn more.
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