Annual Meeting - Nov. 8-10

SITC 2024 Annual Meeting Schedule

Friday, Nov. 8–Sunday, Nov. 10

Welcome to our 39th Annual Meeting. You can view the entire Annual Meeting schedule below.

Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

39th Annual Meeting   |   George R. Brown Convention Center  |   7:45 a.m.–7 p.m. CST

Exhibit Hall open from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Times and program schedules subject to change.


Session 100: Presidential Welcome

7:45-7:50 a.m.  CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Chair: 

Leisha Emens, MD, PhD
Kaiser Permanente

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7:45 a.m. Presidential Welcome
Leisha Emens, MD, PhD

Session Description

SITC President Leisha Emens, MD, PhD will welcome attendees for the official start of the 39th Annual Meeting.


Remembrance of Dr. Jeffrey Weber

7:50-7:55 a.m.  CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3


Session 101: Awards Ceremony 1

7:55-8:20 a.m.  CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Chair: 

Leisha Emens, MD, PhD
Kaiser Permanente

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7:50 a.m. Introduction
Leisha Emens, MD, PhD
7:55 a.m.

Award Recognition

•    2024 Fellows of the Academy of Immuno-Oncology Recognition

•    2024 SITC Lifetime Achievement Award

•    2024 Tara Withington Public Service Award

•    2024 Pedro J. Romero Service to JITC Award

•    2024 Steven A. Rosenberg Scholar Award

Session Description

The Awards Ceremony will recognize annual award recipients, presented by SITC President Leisha Emens, MD, PhD.


Session 102: Keynote Address – "What is T Cell Exhaustion?"
Rafi Ahmed, PhD, FAIO - Emory University School of Medicine

8:20-9:10 a.m.  CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Chair: 

Leisha Emens, MD, PhD
Kaiser Permanente

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8:20 a.m. Introduction
Leisha Emens, MD, PhD 
8:25 a.m. What is T Cell Exhaustion?
Rafi Ahmed, PhD, FAIO - Emory University School of Medicine

Session Description

The 39th Annual Meeting Keynote Address will be given by Rafi Ahmed, PhD, FAIO from Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Ahmed’s presentation on T Cell Exhaustion will be followed by time for questions from the audience.

Break

9:10–9:40 a.m. CST  


Session 103: Pre-malignancy Biology Driving Precision Prevention and Interception Immunotherapy

9:40–11:45 a.m.  CST  | George R. Brown Convention Center -Level 3 - Hall A3

Co-Chairs: 

Olivera Finn, PhD, FAIO
University of Pittsburgh

Elizabeth Jaffee, MD, FAIO, FAACR, FACP, FAAAS
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University

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9:40 a.m. Introduction
Co-Chair 
9:50 a.m.
Germline Mediated Immunoediting Dictates Tumor Subtypes and Clinical Outcomes
Christina Curtis, PhD, MSc – Stanford University
10:15 a.m.
Mapping Tumor-Immune Interactions Using 3D Spatial Profiling
Peter Sorger, PhD - Harvard Medical School
10:40 a.m.
Preventive Vaccines 
Napoor Raje, MD - Massachusetts General Hospital
11:05 a.m.
Immune Contexture of Premalignant Lesions

Jerome Galon, PhD - INSERM, Sorbonne Universites Paris

11:30 a.m.

(1350) Dissecting immune surveillance and escape in lynch syndrome patients

Robert Samstein, MD, PhD – Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Institute

Session Description

Many important discoveries in immunology over the last several decades have been applied to the cancer problem with the goal of making immune rejection of cancer more effective. This knowledge has resulted in the development of highly effective cancer immunotherapies for patients with advanced disease. Relatively little of this knowledge has translated into efforts to strengthen cancer immunosurvellance to prevent or intercept cancer development. Vaccines have successfully prevented virus-associated cancers including cervical and hepatocellular carcinomas. At this time of rising cancer rates in young adults, vaccines targeting the earliest changes in premalignacy are urgently needed. This session will highlight research leading us in this new direction. 


Session 104: Clinical Late-Breaking Abstract Session 

The LBA Session will feature Late-Breaking Abstracts – Clinical Only (LBAs) for abstracts with late-breaking data from interventional clinical trials in humans. For more information about LBAs, click here.

11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center -Level 3 - Hall A3

Chair: 

Alfred L. Garfall, MD
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

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Session Description

This 30-minute session will highlight two selected Late-breaking Abstracts who will each showcase their work in a 15-minute oral presentation.  

Lunch and Poster Viewing

12:15–1:45 p.m. CST  | George R. Brown Convention Center -Level 1 -Exhibit Halls AB


Concurrent Session 105a: Rapid Oral Abstract-Basic

12:30–1:30 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 -  Grand Ballroom B

Co-Chairs: 

Sarah B. Gitto, PhD
University of Pennsylvania

Geoffrey Markowitz, PhD
Weill Cornell Medicine

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Session Description

This fast-paced session will feature six oral presentations from select basic science abstracts with time for Q&A.  


Concurrent Session 105b: Rapid Oral Abstracts - Clinical

12:30–1:30 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom C

Co-Chairs: 

Zachary A. Cooper, PhD
AstraZeneca

Robyn Gartrell, MD
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

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Session Description

This fast-paced session will feature six oral presentations from select clinical abstracts with time for Q&A. 


Concurrent Session 106a: Leveraging B Cells for Anti-Tumor Immunity 

1:45–3:20 p.m. CST  | George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Co-Chairs: 

Tullia Bruno, PhD
University of Pittsburgh

Daniel Hollern, PhD 
Salk Institute 

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1:45 p.m. Intro to B Cells: Inside and Outside of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures 
Tullia Bruno, PhD - University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1:55 p.m. Extrafollicular B Cell Activation Drives Robust Anti-tumor Immune Responses in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Daniel Hollern, PhD - Salk Institute
2:20 p.m. Determinants of B Cell Function in Cancer
Yuliya Pylayeva-Gupta, PhD - UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
2:45 p.m. Temporal Single Cell Profiling Identifies B-Cell Specific Checkpoint Molecules that Regulate Anti-Tumor Immunity
Lloyd Bod, PhD - Massachusetts General Cancer Center
3:10 p.m. (364) Th17 cells harmonize with host B cells for long-lived tumor immunity
Anna C. Cole, BA – Emory University

Session Description

Among the cells of the immune system is a highly dynamic composition of lymphocytes known as B cells. To maintain tissue homeostasis, B cells leverage contextual information to mature towards diverse phenotypes and functions that include immune suppression and eliciting immune mediated cytotoxicity. Indeed, B cells can form regulatory B cells which engage T cells and other immune cells with molecular messages to protect tissues from autoimmunity and suppress cytotoxic responses. Yet, under other molecular signals, B cells can be induced to ignite and amplify effector immune responses when functioning as organizers of cytotoxic immune cell aggregates where they engage in molecular exchange and antigen presentation. Likewise, B cells are well appreciated for their differentiation into antibody secreting cells to elicit local and systemic immunity. In line with these diverse and critical functions, B cell heterogeneity, activation, and function is being shown to be critical to tumor progression, cancer patient survival, and responses to chemo and immune therapy. Together, this contemporary research on B cells has made it clear that there are abundant opportunities to improve immunotherapy by control of B cell function. In this session, we emphasize (1) the therapeutic utility of B cells, (2) showcase new strategies to mechanistically ignite B cell anti-tumor functions, and (3) discuss how B cells can be modulated within and outside cellular neighborhoods i.e. tertiary lymphoid structures.  


Concurrent Session 106b: Microbiome: Ready for Prime Time?

1:45–3:20 p.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - General Assembly Theater

Co-Chairs: 

Bertrand Routy, MD, PhD
CHUM Research Centre 

Jennifer Wargo, MD, MMSC
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

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1:45 p.m. Introduction
Co-Chair
1:47 p.m. Microbiome Disruption in Cancer Immunotherapy and Transplantation
Jonathan Peled, MD, PhD - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
2:02 p.m. Microbial Cell Therapies: Challenges and Opportunities for Bugs as Drugs
Christopher Johnston, PhD - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2:17 p.m.

Profiling and Modulating the Microbiome in Cancer
Lisa Derosa, MD, PhD-  Gustave Roussy

2:32 p.m.

Phase II Clinical Trial of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Combination with Immunotherapy in Patients with Lung Cancer and Melanoma (FMT-LUMINate)

Arielle Elkrief, MD, FRCPC - University of Montréal Research Center

2:47 p.m.

(562) Bile acids circumvent gut dysbiosis-induced resistance to anti-PD-1

Anne-Laure Mallard de La Varende, MS –  Gustave Roussy

2:57 p.m.

(602) High fiber dietary intervention in plasma cell disorders improves microbiome and immune biomarkers and delays progression to myeloma

Urvi A. Shah, MD, MS – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

3:07 p.m. Panel Discussion and Q&A 

Session Description

In less than a decade, several discoveries propelled the gut microbiome from the dark matter to one of the “hallmarks of cancer”. Recent studies revealed that the baseline microbiome composition correlated with the anti-cancer response, the risk of immune-related toxicities and the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). This intricate relationship is linked through several mechanisms including microbiome-associated molecular patterns, cross-reactive antigens, bacterial metabolites and immune checkpoint expression.

Furthermore, harnessing the microbiome using fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics and prebiotics demonstrated that shifting the microbiome composition can enhance immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) response and improve GVHD. In this session, we will focus on the development of user-friendly strategies to profile microbiome composition as a novel biomarker. We will review the ongoing strategies to improve the microbiome composition for patients amenable to ICI treatment or allogeneic stem cell transplantation. In sum, the aim of this session is to understand and review the mechanisms by which bugs can become new cancer drugs.


Concurrent Session 106c: Oral Abstract Session

1:45–3:20 p.m. CST  | George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom A

Co-Chairs: 

Roberta Zappasodi, PhD
Weill Cornell Medicine

Tanaya Shree, MD, PhD
Oregon Health and Sciences University

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Session Description

Selected abstracts will be presented in 10-15 minute oral presentations. 


Concurrent Session 106d: Biotech Breakthroughs - Solid Tumor IO at the Tipping Point

1:45–3:20 p.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom B

Co-Chairs: 

Kristen Hege, MD

Zhen Su, MD, MBA
Marengo Theraputics

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1:45 p.m. Intro: Highlight FDA Approvals 
Co-Chair
1:50 p.m. Lifileucel a Transformational Approach for Solid Cancer:  First FDA Approved TIL Therapy for Advanced Melanoma
Raj Puri, MD, PhD - Iovance Biotherapeutics
2:05 p.m. Delivering on the Promise of Cell Therapies for Solid Tumors: T-cell Therapy for Synovial Sarcoma
Jo Brewer, PhD - Adaptimmune
2:20 p.m. Tarlatamab: a Bispecific T-cell Engager Immunotherapy Paving the Way for Small Cell Lung Cancer and Solid Tumors
Pablo Martinez, MD, PhD - Amgen
2:35 p.m.

(991) ST101, an inhibitor of the transcription factor C/EBPß, promotes an immune-active tumor microenvironment in a window of opportunity (WoO) study of patients with glioblastoma (GBM)

Jim Rotolo, PhD – Sapience Therapeutics

2:45 p.m.

(1472) A phase 1/2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of autologous TAC T cells in subjects with
claudin 18.2+ advanced solid tumors

Ecaterina E. Dumbrava, MD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

2:55 p.m.

Panel Discussion: IO for Solid Tumors Beyond Checkpoint Inhibitors – Future Directions

Kristen Hege, MD
Zhen Su, MD, MBA - Marengo Therapeutics
Raj Puri, MD, PhD - Iovance Biotherapeutics
Jo Brewer, PhD Adaptimmune 
Pablo Martinez, MD PhD - Amgen
William Grossman, PhD, MD - Gilead
Brad Loncar, BBA - BiotechTV
Allison Betof Warner, MD, PhD - Stanford University School of Medicine

Session Description

Cancer immunotherapy has transformed cancer care over the past decade with more than 25 FDA approved medicines in the clinic. Immune activation focused novel modalities have demonstrated compelling efficacy and achieved regulatory approvals in hematologic malignancies over the past decade. Beyond the first wave T cell checkpoint blockade, developing next wave novel IO therapeutics in solid tumor have been challenging, but the tide has turned. 2024 is a breakthrough year for new and pending FDA approvals of both cell therapies and complex biologics in multiple solid tumor indications focusing on reinvigorating the anti-tumor immune response. In this session you will learn about the development and commercial launch of these exciting new immuno-oncology products including tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, T cell receptor engineered T cells, T cell engaging bispecific antibodies, next generation cytokines and more.


Concurrent Session 106e: Commonalities and Site-Specific Factors for Immune Microenvironments across and between Tumor Types

1:45–3:20 p.m. CST  | George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom C

Co-Chairs: 

F. Stephen Hodi Jr., MD
Dana-Faber Cancer Institute

Mario Sznol, MD
Yale School of Medicine

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1:45 p.m. From the Clinic to the Lab: Investigating Mechanisms of Response and Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Therapy 
Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2:05 p.m. Defining and Using Immune Archetypes Classify and Treat Cancer
Alexis Combes, PhD - University of California, San Francisco
2:25 p.m. High-Resolution Profiling of the Tumor Microenvironment with Spatial Ecotypes
Aaron Newman, PhD - Stanford University
2:45 p.m.

Tumor Cell Heterogeneity Governs Spatial Organisation of the Tumor Microenvironment

Wolf H. Fridman, MD, PHD - Cordeliers Research Centre

3:05 p.m.

ImmunoProfile: A Prospective Biomarker Trial Reveals that High Numbers of Intratumoral CD8+ and PD-1+ Lymphocytes Predict Favorable Survival Across Major Cancer Types Independent of Stage and Therapies
Scott Rodig, MD, PhD - Harvard Medical School

Session Description

In humans, the immune component of the tumor microenvironment is likely shaped over many years. Tumor genetics and epigenetics, host genetics, and a lifetime of acute and chronic environmental exposures likely contribute to the immune composition of the tumor. These factors influence the natural history of the malignancy and its response to all forms of therapy including immune modulation. Recent data suggest that tumor immune microenvironments can be grouped into a limited number of phenotypes which could provide insights into pathogenesis and approaches to treatment. In this session, speakers will describe the spectrum of tumor immune microenvironments as revealed by analyses of histopathology, sequencing, and immune monitoring, characterizing commonalities and site-specific differences as they relate to the primary tumor site and/or site of metastases.

Break

3:20–3:50 p.m. CST  


Concurrent Session 107a: Cellular Therapies/Regulatory/Manufacturing

3:50–5:25 p.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Co-Chairs: 

Chantale Bernatchez, PhD
Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center 

Patrick Hanley, PhD
Children's National Hospital

Raj Puri, MD, PhD
Iovance Biotheraputics

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3:50 p.m. Introduction
Co-Chair                               
3:55 p.m.

The SITC Release Criteria Summit: Learnings from the Past Decade of Cell Therapy and Insights for a Path Forward

Michael Kalos, PhD - Next Pillar Consulting
4:20 p.m. Point of Care Manufacturing - You Can Do It, But Do You Want To?
Yongping Wang, MD, PhD - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
4:40 p.m. Lessons Learned from Successful Development, Manufacturing, and Regulatory Approval of TIL Therapy (AmtagviTM [lifileucel])
Arvind Natarajan, PhD - Iovance Biotherapeutics

5 p.m.

Panel Discussion

Chantale Bernatchez, PhD - Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center
Patrick Hanley, PhD - Children's National Hospital
Raj Puri, MD, PhD - Iovance Biotherapeutics
Michael Kalos, PhD - Next Pillar Consulting
Yongping Wang, MD, PhD - Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia 
Arvind Natarajan, PhD - Iovance Biotherapeutics
Agnes Yeboah, PhD - Bristol Myers Squibb
Mathew Klinker, PhD - U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Session Description

Cellular therapies offer great promise as a cancer therapy. They are living biological drugs, and often personalized, which gives them unique properties, characteristics, and great variability. These factors have made adhering to existing regulatory requirements challenging and requires significant collaboration and interactions with the FDA and other health authorities. Commercializing approved cellular therapies requires novel strategies for adoption, patient access, and cost. Though in early stages, new paradigms for manufacturing and delivery of autologous cell therapies, namely point of care manufacturing, have emerged that may reduce cost to manufacture and increase patient access. Collaboration with health authorities is critical for point of care manufacturing to have regulatory success. This session will first provide an update on SITC’s Release Criteria Summit. During the one-day virtual summit, topics include stakeholder feedback, summaries, current state, and future directions identified during the one-day virtual summit. The session will then expand upon some of the concepts discussed during the release criteria summit and we will hear about Iovance Biotherapeutics’s experience with regulatory approval of the first and only FDA-approved T cell therapy for a solid tumor indication. Finally, we will hear about how new manufacturing strategies are being developed to reduce costs and increase access for patients and discussion on regulatory perspectives. 


Concurrent Session 107b: Protein and Cellular Engineering Strategies

3:50–5:25 p.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - General Assembly Theater

Co-Chairs: 

Marion Alcantara, MD, PhD
Institut Curie, Paris

Cristina Puig-Saus, PhD
UCLA        

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3:50p.m. Introduction 
Session Co-Chair 
3:55 p.m. Ex vivo and In vivo CRISPR editing to program T cell function
Justin Eyquem, PhD - University of California, San Francisco
4:15 p.m. Cellular Engineering 
Marcela Maus, MD, PhD - Massachusetts General Hospital
4:35 p.m. Multi-Pronged CAR-T Cell Therapy for Cancer
Yvonne Chen, PhD - University of California, Los Angeles
4:55 p.m.

(1369) Engineering approaches to exploit MHC-II presentation on lung cancer cells

Alex M. Jaeger, PhD – Moffitt Cancer Center

5:10 p.m.

(1125) Preclinical development of MT-303, a novel LNP-Formulated GPC3-Specific CAR mRNA, for in vivo programming of monocytes to treat hepatocellular carcinoma

Matt Maurer, MD – Myeloid Therapeutics

Session Description

Cell and gene therapies have made a great breakthrough in the immuno-oncology field. Technological advances have created opportunities for genetically engineered immune cells to be “redirected” against tumor cells. As such, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are now part of the routine clinical care for many hematological malignancies, but improvements are still needed. A better understanding of the mechanisms of action and the progress in molecular interventions are paving the way for the development of new generations of cellular immunotherapies. Innovative engineering methods will certainly lead to next-generation cell therapies with enhanced efficacy and/or reduced toxicity, notably for targeting low antigen-expressing tumors and solid cancers. This session will focus on genome and protein engineering strategies to optimize cell therapies for hematological and solid tumors.


Concurrent Session 107c: Timing and Combination of Systemic Therapies in Solid Cancers

3:50–5:25 p.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom A

Co-Chairs: 

Diwakar Davar, MD
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Sherene Loi, MD, PhD
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

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3:50 p.m.

Introduction
Co-Chair
3:55 p.m. A Personalized Approach:  Neoantigen Vaccines for the Treatment of Solid Tumors
Janice M. Mehnert, MD - Perlmutter Cancer Center of NYU Langone Health
4:15 p.m. Applying Lessons Learned from Melanoma to the Treatment of RCC
Mike Atkins, MD, FAIO - Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
4:35 p.m. Framework for Novel Combination Immunotherapy Development Informed by the TME
Jason Luke, MD, FACP - UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
4:55 p.m.

(603) Dual TIGIT and PD-1 blockade with domvanalimab plus zimberelimab in hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to anti-PD-1 therapies

David Hsieh – University of Texas Southwestern

5:10 p.m.

(607) CONSORTIUM-IO: A phase 1 study evaluating a combination of an 11-strain bacterial consortium (VE800) and nivolumab in treatment of select refractory or metastatic cancers

Carolina Lyon De Ana, PhD – Vedanta Biosciences

Session Description

This Session will explore how the underlying biology of combination therapies in solid tumors and how those combinations may change and overcome specific mechanisms of resistance to immune therapy in a spectrum of malignancies. The Session also aims to discuss provocative questions concerning novel combination immunotherapeutic development armed with a deeper biological understanding of how rational combinations and sequences of therapies can overcome specific resistance mechanisms, attendees will be equipped to design effective clinical trials leading to better patient outcomes.


Concurrent Session 107d: NK Cells and Innate Immunity

3:50–5:25 p.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom B

Co-Chairs: 

Katy Rezvani, MD, PhD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Eric Vivier, DVM, PhD
Aix Marseille University

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3:50 p.m. Introduction
Co-Chair
3:51 p.m. Harnessing Innate Immune Receptors in Cancer Immunotherapy
Marco Colonna, MD - Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis 
4:13 p.m. NK Cells: Next Generation Cell Therapies for Cancer
Katy Rezvani, MD, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
4:35 p.m. Harnessing NK Cells in Cancer Therapies 
Eric Vivier, DVM, PhD – Aix Marseille University
4:57 p.m.

Next-Gen Cytokine Therapies - Systemic Cytokine Drugs that Decouple Tumor Activity from Peripheral Activity

Nicholas Huntington, PhD – Monash University

5:10 p.m. Panel Discussion  

Session Description

Natural Killer (NK) cells and Type 1 Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs) play a critical role in the innate immune response by detecting and destroying neoplastic cells independently of prior antigen exposure. Their therapeutic modulation represents an emerging frontier in cancer immunotherapy.

In this session at the SITC conference Dr. Marco Colonna will provide a detailed overview of ILCs, highlighting their potential in cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Rezvani will present on the engineering of NK cells, discussing the latest strategies and preclinical evidence that underscore the translation of this strategy to the clinic. Dr. Eric Vivier will present on the application of NK cell multi-specific engagers, focusing on their design, mechanism of action, and their evolving role in the targeted treatment of cancer. Each presentation aims not only to educate but also to encourage dialogue on how these innovations can be best integrated and optimized within current clinical frameworks.


Concurrent Session 107e: Immune Exclusion

3:50–5:25 p.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom C

Co-Chairs: 

Christine Moussion, PhD
Genentech

Sara Pai, MD, PhD
Yale University School of Medicine

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3:50 p.m. Introduction
Session Co-Chair
3:55 p.m.

Debate: Defining Immune Exclusion - Physical v. Functional
Physical: Ellen Pure, PhD - University of Pennsylvania: Argument for Physical Barrier 

Functional: G. Travis Clifton, MD – Incendia Therapeutics: Argument for Functional Barrier 

4:20 p.m. Identifying Immunotherapy Targets Using Perturb-map CRISPR Screens
Brian Brown, PhD - Mount Sinai
4:35 p.m. Targeting Cancer-Associated Myofibroblasts to Overcome Anti-Tumor Immune Suppression
Akshay Krishnamurty, PhD - Genentech
4:50 p.m.

(1280) Therapeutic administration of an engineered sphingosine-1 phosphate lyase improves CD8 T cell trafficking to tumors and enhances antitumor response

Alessandra M. Araujo, PhD – University of Texas at Austin

5:00 p.m.

Panel Discussion

5:20 p.m. Conclusion
Session Co-Chair

Session Description

The tumor immune microenvironment is a crucial predictor of response to immunotherapy. Tumors infiltrated by activated T cells, a cancer immune phenotype referred to as “immune-inflamed,” are most likely to respond to immune checkpoint blockade. However, approximately one-third of cancer patients have tumors that spatially compartmentalize T cells to the periphery of the tumor, referred to as the “immune-excluded” phenotype, and these tumors have a poor response rate to immunotherapy. The research we will discuss today has the potential to impact the future of immunotherapy, offering novel approaches for improved treatments and outcomes.

This session will highlight the latest research defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms of immune exclusion. It will feature an active debate on whether the physical versus the functional barrier prevents immune cell infiltration into the tumors. It will also explore the relevant crosstalk between stromal cells, myeloid cells, and lymphocytes that contributes to the immune-excluded immunophenotype. Based on the identified immune cell crosstalk, novel approaches to overcome immune exclusion will be discussed. The session will combine the perspectives of clinicians, pathologists, and basic science researchers from academia and industry to take a multi-prong approach to overcoming the challenges of immune exclusion.


Concurrent Session 107f: Focus on Latin American Immuno-Oncology

3:50–5:25 p.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Meeting Room 332 | Download Flyer

Co-Chairs: 

Nora Sobrevilla, MD
Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia
Ana Anderson, PhD
Harvard Medical School

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3:50 p.m. Introduction
Session Chair 
3:53 p.m. Advanced Cancer Immunotherapy: The Center of Molecular Immunology Approach
Tania Crombet, MD, PhD - Centre of Molecular Immunology of Havana, Cuba

4:13 p.m. Nuanced Role for Dendritic Cell Intrinsic IRE1 RNase in the Regulation of Antitumor Adaptive Immunity
Fabiola Osorio, PhD - University of Chile
4:33 p.m. Neoantigen Identification and Cancer Vaccines
Carlos Alberto Parra-Lopez, MD, PhD - National University of Colombia
4:53 p.m.
Networking Break
5:03 p.m.
5:13 p.m.
5:23 p.m.
Conclusion
Session Chair 

Session Description

This session will highlight some of the great basic and clinical research in Immuno-Oncology being done by Latin American scientists. One of SITC’s strategic goals is to extend the reach of the Society beyond North America, Europe, and Australia and integrate Latin American clinicians and researchers into our community. This session will feature talks from senior scientists doing basic and clinical research on cancer vaccines, including neoantigen discovery, vaccine development, and combinations with checkpoint inhibitors. The session will also feature short presentations of outstanding selected abstracts.

Poster Reception 

5:30-7 p.m. CST  | George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 1 -Exhibit Halls AB

Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024

39th Annual Meeting   |   George R. Brown Convention Center   |   7:15 a.m.–8:30 p.m. CST

Exhibit Hall open from 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Times and program schedules subject to change.


Session 200: Business Meeting 

7:15–7:45 a.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Chair: 

Leisha Emens, MD, PhD
Kaiser Permanente

Session Description

Join SITC President Leisha Emens, MD, PhD, and SITC Executive Director, Mary Dean, JD, CAE, for this annual briefing on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 7:15–7:45 a.m. CST. Dr. Emens and her guests Daniel S. Chen, MD, PhD and Stefani Spranger, PhD, will update you about the strategic direction of the society, including SITC’s Immuno-Engineering Strategic Plan: Engineering a path to 100 novel IO agents. All SITC members are invited to attend!

 


Session 201: Organizer Welcome

8–8:05 a.m. CT |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Chair: 

Harriet Kluger, MD
Yale University

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8 a.m. Organizer Welcome
Harriet Kluger, MD – Yale University

Session Description

The official start of the second full day begins with a welcome from one of the Organizers behind the Annual Meeting programming. 


Session 202: Richard V. Smalley Memorial Award and Lectureship

8:05–8:55 a.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Chair: 

Leisha Emens, MD, PhD
Kaiser Permanente

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8:05 a.m. Introduction
TBA
8:10 a.m.

The Era of Cancer Vaccines Has Arrived

Elizabeth M. Jaffee, MD, FAIO, FAACR, FACP, FAAAS - Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins

Session Description

Established in 2005, the Richard V. Smalley Memorial Award is presented each year to a luminary in the field that has significantly contributed to the advancement of cancer immunotherapy research.  It is the society’s most prestigious award and serves to honor those that have been pioneers in their work and made a notable impact worthy of high regard and recognition by their peers.

Break

8:55–9:25 a.m. CST  


Session 203: Genomic Instability: How it Mediates Immunity and Immune Evasion

9:25–11:30 a.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Co-Chairs: 

David A. Braun, MD, PhD
Yale School of Medicine    

Stefani Spranger, PhD 
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT

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9:25 a.m. Introduction 
9:30 a.m. Immune Evasion Through Suppression of cGAS/STING in Renal Cell Cancer
Samra Turajlic, MBBS, PhD - Francis Crick Institute
9:50 a.m. (1202) An NGS-based workflow to estimate allele-specific HLA loss of heterozygosity 
Jieming Chen, PhD – Genentech
10:02 a.m. Q&A
10:10 a.m. Chromosomal Instability as a Mechanism of Immune Evasion 
Samuel Bakhoum, MD, PhD - Volastra Therapeutics
10:30 a.m.

(821) Immune-mediated mechanisms of PARP inhibitor (PARPi) resistance in BRCA1-associated triple negative breast cancer are overcome by addition of CSF-1R inhibition and immune checkpoint blockade

Adam Nelson, PhD – Brigham and Women’s Hospital

10:42 a.m. Q&A
10:50 a.m. Targeting Chronic Interferon and Inflammatory Memory in Cancer Immunotherapy Resistance
Andy Minn, MD, PhD - University of Pennsylvania
11:10 a.m.

(824) Defining the determinants of immune response in DNA homologous recombination deficient tumors

Natalie Vaninov, BA – Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

11:22 a.m. Q&A

Session Description

Genomic instability is a core feature of cancer evolution, but beyond tumor-intrinsic effects, it can also contribute to pro- or anti-tumor immune responses. Genomic instability leading to DNA damage and mutations increase the potential neoantigen burden and may therefore contribute positively to anti-tumor immunity. By contrast, chromosomal instability may lead to chronic activation of innate and adaptive immune pathways, ultimately mediating immune evasion by tumor cells. This session will focus on the role of understanding chromosomal instability in cancer evolution in the clinic, and then dive into the mechanistic underpinnings of how chromosomal instability and chronic interferon signaling may facilitate immune evasion and resistance to current immunotherapies. 

Break

11:30–11:45 a.m. CST  


Session 204: Clinical Late-Breaking Abstract Session 

The LBA Session will feature Late-Breaking Abstracts- Clinical Only (LBAs) for abstracts with late-breaking data from interventional clinical trials in humans. For more information about LBAs, click here.

11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Chair: 

Aurélien Marabelle, MD, PhD 
Gustave Roussy


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Session Description

This 30-minute session will highlight two selected Late-breaking Abstracts who will each showcase their work in a 15-minute oral presentation.  

Lunch and Poster Viewing 

12:15–1:45 p.m. CST  |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 1 - Exhibit Halls AB


Session 205a: Rapid Oral Abstract-Basic 

12:30–1:30 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom B

Co-Chairs: 

Nicole Scharping, PhD
University of California, San Diego


Aleksei Tikhonov, PhD
Gustave Roussy

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Session Description

This fast-paced session will feature six oral presentations from select basic science abstracts with time for Q&A.  


Session 205b: Rapid Oral Abstract-Clinical 

12:30–1:30 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom C

Co-Chairs: 

Golnaz Morad, DDS, PhD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center


Tanya Keenan, MD, MPH
Merck

 

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Session Description

This fast-paced session will feature six oral presentations from select clinical abstracts with time for Q&A. 


Session 206: Presidential Session 

1:45–3:10 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Chair: 

Leisha Emens, MD, PhD
Kaiser Permanente


 

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1:45 p.m. Introduction
Leisha A. Emens, MD, PhD
1:50 p.m.

(855) LRIG1 engages ligand VISTA to impede T cell activation and enable tumor immune evasion

Hieu M. Ta, PhD – Cleveland Clinic Foundation

2:05 p.m.

(1175) Deciphering immunotherapy’s challenges: A novel mouse model for immune related adverse events 

Dipyaman Patra, PhD – University of Pittsburgh

2:20 p.m.

Expert Discussant

Thomas F. Gajewski, MD, PhD – University of Chicago

2:30 p.m.

(1253) Exercise-induced microbiota vitamin B9 metabolite enhances CD8 T cell antitumor immunity and promotes immunotherapy efficacy

Catherine Phelps, MS – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

2:45 p.m.

(1099) Harnessing lymph nodes for polyclonal multipotent T cell therapy in solid tumors

Tatiana Delgado Cruz, MD – Weill Cornell Medical College

3 p.m.

Expert Discussant

Ira Mellman, PhD – Genentech

Session Description

Join SITC President Leisha Emens, MD, PhD for oral presentations from the top four scoring Young Investigator Award abstract authors. The Presidential Award recipient will be selected following the session and will be announced at the Awards Ceremony that evening at 6:40–7:10 p.m. CT. 

Break

3:10–3:25 p.m. CST 


Session 207a: CD4 & Tregs

3:25–4:45 p.m. CST | George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Co-Chairs: 

Lawrence Fong, MD 
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Sergio A. Quezada, PhD 
University College London

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3:25 p.m. Role of CD4 T Cells in Tumor Immunology
Session Co-Chair
3:30 p.m. Human Neoantigen-Specific CD4 T Cells in the Native Setting and Following Cancer Vaccination
Cathy Wu, MD - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
3:50 p.m. Targeting Intratumoral Tumor-Specific Regulatory CD4 T Cells
Aurélien Marabelle, MD, PhD  – Gustave Roussy
4:10 p.m. Guiding Principles of Clinical Efficacy in Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Redirected Autologous T Cells for Cancer Treatment
Joseph Melenhorst, PhD - Cleveland Clinic
4:30 p.m.

(493) Distinct correlative signatures of CD4+ helper and regulatory T cells associate with response to different neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor combinations in HNSCC

Matthias Brand, MD – University of Pittsburgh

Session Description

Explore the different roles CD4+ T cells play in tumor immunity. Topics will include antigen recognition, regulatory T cells, and the importance of CD4+ CAR T cells.


Session 207b: Everything but the Cell: Priming Patients for T Cell Administration  

3:25-4:45 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - General Assembly Theater

Co-Chairs: 

Stephanie Goff, MD, FACS 
National Cancer Institute  

Marco Ruella, MD
University of Pennsylvania

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3:25 p.m. Countdown to Cells: Lymphodepletion for TIL
Stephanie Goff, MD, FACS - National Cancer Institute
3:45 p.m. The Critical Role of Lymphodepletion before Adoptive CAR T-Cell Immunotherapies
Marco Ruella, MD - University of Pennsylvania
4:05 p.m.

Efficacy of Lymphodepletion in Enhancing Adoptive Cancer Immunotherapy

Chrystal Paulos, PhD - Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University 

4:25 p.m. Novel, Future Strategies for Safer and Effective Lymphodepletion 
Q&A; Panel Discussion

Session Description

This session delves into the critical role of lymphodepletion as a preparatory step in adoptive T-cell therapies. The speakers will explore the foundations, current practices, and future directions of lymphodepletion strategies to optimize the efficacy of T-cell administration in cancer treatment. Dr. Goff will provide an insightful overview of lymphodepletion, sharing her extensive experience with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and early CAR-T. This talk will highlight key clinical outcomes and lessons learned from pioneering treatments at the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Ruella will discuss the specific applications of lymphodepletion in CAR-T and TCR-engineered T-cell therapies. His presentation will cover the practical aspects of patient preparation, focusing on optimizing treatment efficacy and patient safety. Dr. Paulos will delve into the mechanistic insights and the importance of preclinical models in understanding lymphodepletion. Her talk aims to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and clinical applications, providing a robust scientific foundation. Lastly, the panel discussion will explore emerging strategies and innovations designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of lymphodepletion. The session will examine potential advancements that could revolutionize how patients are prepared for adoptive T-cell therapies. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the various facets of lymphodepletion, including current techniques, challenges, and innovative approaches on the horizon. This session is designed for clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals involved in the field of cancer immunotherapy, offering critical insights that could shape future treatment protocols.


Session 207c: Biomarkers Guiding Design of T Cell Therapies 

3:25–4:45 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom A

Co-Chairs: 

James Yang, MD
The National Cancer Institute

Simon Turcotte, MD, MSc, FRCSC
Universite de Montreal

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3:25 p.m. Parameters for Success of TIL Therapy
George Coukos, MD, PhD - Ludwig Cancer Research Lausanne Branch
 3:45 p.m. Tumor neoantigen reactivity-selected TIL for the treatment of metastatic gastrointestinal cancers
Frank Lowery, PhD – National Cancer Institute
 4:05 p.m. Circulating Tumor DNA as an Early Endpoint of Immunotherapy Response 
Valsamo Anagnostou, MD, PhD - Johns Hopkins University
  4:25 p.m. (67) A 12-chemokine gene expression signature identifies melanomas with heightened tumor infiltrating lymphocytes: A retrospective analysis
Daniel Abate-Daga, PhD   H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
  4:35 p.m.

(447) Clinical factors associated with growth and reactivity of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes for adoptive cell transfer in patients with metastatic epithelial cancers

Alexandra Gustafson, MD – National Cancer Institute

Session Description

Due to their complexity, designing cell-based immunotherapy trials to integrate with other therapies, be efficiently implemented and then be quickly evaluated for efficacy is difficult.  New technologies can assist in these goals.  This session looks at how some of those methods can accelerate the identification of tumor from which tumor-reactive T cells can be expanded ex-vivo, the selection of patients more likely to respond, and then provide early endpoints of treatment efficacy.  Because the common epithelial cancers result in the vast majority of cancer deaths, the application of these approaches towards tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy for these cancers will be highlighted.


Session 207d: Oral Abstract Session 

3:25–4:45 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom B

Co-Chairs: 

Katie Campbell, PhD
University of California, Los Angeles

Mathieu Rouanne, MD, PhD
Columbia University

 


Session 207e: Modulating the Tumor Vasculature to Improve Immunotherapy

3:25–4:45 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 -Grand Ballroom C

Co-Chairs: 

Edda Sciutto, PhD
Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Sabina Signoretti, MD
Brigham and Women's Hospital



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3:25 p.m.

Normalizing Lymphatic Vessels to Uncouple Metastasis and Tumor Immune Surveillance

Amanda Lund, PhD - NYU Grossman School of Medicine
3:45 p.m.

Targeting VEGF to Improve Immunotherapy

Mahrukh Huseni, PhD - Consultant
4:05 p.m.

Tailoring Vascular Function to Promote Anti-tumor Immunity in Glioma

Anna Dimberg, MSc, PhD - Uppsala University
4:25 p.m.

(1112) Sticky T-cells: Engineered T-cells targeting biglycan on tumor endothelial cells enhance infiltration into metastatic tumors

Monish Kumar, PhD – University of Houston
4:35 p.m.

(900) An iron-rich subset of macrophages promotes tumor growth through a Bach1-Ednrb axis

Ian W. Folkert, MD, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Session Description

Blood and lymphatic vessels are essential for oxygen and nutrient delivery, removal of waste products, and control of immune responses to maintain normal tissue homeostasis. The rapid formation of tumor tissues requires an accelerated vascularization process that leads to a dysfunctional blood and lymphatic vessel network. This abnormal tumor vasculature contributes to the creation of a hypoxic and acidic tumor microenvironment, which facilitates cancer cells growth and metastatic dissemination, and also limits the infiltration of immune cells and their anti-tumor activity.  

New approaches aimed at modulating the tumor vasculature represent a promising strategy to maximize patient response to cancer treatments. This session will focus on exciting findings obtained by targeting blood and lymphatic vessels to increase the efficacy of immunotherapy in various cancer types.   

Break

4:45–5:15 p.m. CST  


Session 208a: The Yin and Yang of Myeloid Cells

This session is co-organized by the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) and The Myeloid Network.

5:15–6:35 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Co-Chairs: 

Jennifer Guerriero, PhD 
Brigham and Women's Hospital


Alberto Mantovani, MD 
Instituto Clinico Humanitas

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5:15 p.m. Molecular and Spatial Control of Tumor-Associated Macrophages
Renato Ostuni, PhD - Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
5:35 p.m. Targeting Pathogenic Myelopoiesis in Cancer
Miriam Merad, MD, PhD, FAIO -  Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
5:55 p.m. Neutrophils: The Power Of Many
Lai Guan Ng, PhD - Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute
6:15 p.m. (893) Spatiotemporal mapping of melanoma-draining lymph nodes reveals a protective innate alarm system ahead of metastasis
Katherine Ventre – NYU Langone Health
6:25 p.m. (902) Hematopoietic aging promotes cancer by fueling IL-1α-driven emergency myelopoiesis
Matthew D. Park, PhD – Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Session Description

Myeloid cells are a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and can promote tumor progression and resistance to immunotherapy; conversely, they can also contribute to anti-tumor responses. This program will explore the opposing roles (ie the Yin and Yang) of myeloid cells. This program will explore the recent advances in the field including underlying biology and diversity of myeloid cells, myeloid signaling pathways, regulation of myeloid cells and therapeutic approaches to target myeloid cells in immuno-oncology. The session aims to bring the field together to educate and promote myeloid cell targeting with the overall goal of making the TME more permissive and expanding tumor specific T cells. This session is relevant to basic, translational, and clinical researchers and physicians and will provide an overview of the diversity, functions and therapeutic targeting of myeloid cells in cancer. 


Session 208b: Cellular Therapies - Financial Toxicities, Access to Care 

5:15–6:35 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom B

Co-Chairs: 

Nirav Shah, MD, MSHP 
Medical College of Wisconsin

Anna Sureda, MD, PhD
Barcelona Hematology Institute

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5:15 p.m. Financial Toxicity of CART Cell Therapies-A Threat to Access and Quality of Care
Nandita Khera, MD, M.P.H - Mayo Clinic       
5:35 p.m. Improving Accessibility of CAR-T Cell Therapy through Alternative Manufacturing Models
Nirav Shah, MD - Medical College of Wisconsin
5:55 p.m. Disparities in Access to CAR T-Cell Therapies
Anurekha Hall, MD, MS – Seattle Childrens 
6:15 p.m.

(589) BASECAMP-1 is an efficient pre-screening study that identifies patients with HLA LOH and provides mutational, RNA-Seq, and microbiome data for precision logic-gated CAR T therapeutic trials

Julian R. Molina, MD, PhD – Mayo Clinic

6:25 p.m.

(1352) Impact of timing of real-world CT imaging on cost-effectiveness of a molecular biomarker for treatment response monitoring of immunotherapy

Zachary Rivers, PharmD, PhD – Tempus AI

Session Description

This session will explore various aspects of CAR-T and their impact on patients. First we will evaluate the financial toxicities to the patients and its potential harms with cellular therapies. Next we will discuss alternative models of cell therapy manufacturing and how it may increase accessibility to these products to different populations and its global implications. Lastly, we will review the role of disparities and how they impact access to care.


Session 208c: Evolution of Predictive Biomarkers in Immunotherapy: From Current State to Future Frontiers 

5:15–6:35 p.m. CST | George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom C

Co-Chairs: 

Alessio Cortellini, MD, PhD
Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico & Campus Bio-Medico University & Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London                

Kerry L. Reynolds, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital 

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5:15 p.m. Biomarkers for Immunotherapy: Where Are We Now?
Douglas Johnson, MD, MSCI – Vanderbilt University Medical Center
5:27 p.m. Leveraging Novel Omics Approaches for Immuno Oncology Biomarkers to Optimize Patient Selection 
Abdul Rafeh Naqash, MD - University of Oklahoma Medical Center
5:39 p.m.  Germline Status as Biomarkers for irAEs
Pauline Funchain, MD - Stanford University
5:51 p.m.  Advancing Immunotherapy: Model Systems in Drug Development
Russel Jenkins, MD, PhD - Massachusetts General Hospital
6:03 p.m.

(30) Key learnings from BDC-1001 phase 1 FIH dose escalation trial inform next-generation ISACs

Jason Ptacek, PhD – Bolt Biotherapeutics

6:13 p.m.

(476) The skin microbiome in immune-related cutaneous adverse events (ircAE) differs from that of patients without ircAE

Lukas Kraehenbuehl, MD – University Hospital Zurich

6:23 p.m.

 Panel Discussion - Q&A

Session Description

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving role of predictive biomarkers in immunotherapy, focusing on both current advancements and future directions. The discussion will begin with an exploration of the integration of predictive biomarkers in immuno-oncology, covering the latest state-of-the-art developments and their clinical implications. Following this, the session will delve into the use of novel omics biomarkers to enhance patient selection, including insights into cutting-edge techniques such as spatial transcriptomics. The session will also address the critical issue of biomarkers for immune-related adverse events, examining their current state and the potential impplications for clinical practice. Finally, the session will explore how model systems in drug development can drive advancements in immunotherapy. Through these discussions, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic landscape of predictive biomarkers in immunotherapy, equipping them with the knowledge to address current challenges and seize future opportunities.


Session 208d: CAR-T cells vs T-cell engaging bispecifics in Hematological Malignancies

This session is co-organized by the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) and American Society of Hematology (ASH).

5:15–6:35 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Grand Ballroom A

Co-Chairs: 

Natalie Grover, MD
University of North Carolina      

    
Aurélien Marabelle, MD, PhD
Gustave Roussy, France

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5:15 p.m. Evaluating Infection Risk with CART Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies for Myeloma 
Meera Mohan, MD, MS, FACP - Medical College of Wisconsin    
5:35 p.m.

(267) Strategic optimization of BCMA and GPRC5D dual-targeted CAR T cells for heterogeneous multiple myeloma 

Sarah Johnson, PhD, MBA – Oricell Therapeutics

5:45 p.m.

(231) Infectious complications in patients with hematologic malignancies receiving CD19 vs. BCMA targeted CAR-T Therapy

Muhammad Bilal Abid, MD, MS, FACP – UT Houston McGovern School of Medicine

5:55 p.m. CAR T vs Bispecifics: Clinical Implications and Future Directions
Jason Westin, MD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
6:15 p.m.

(244) A Phase 1 study of novel transposon-Based BAFF CAR-T cells (LMY-920) for treatment of relapsed or refractory non-hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) 

Matthew A. Spear, MD – Luminary Therapeutics

6:25 p.m.

(1137) EVOLVE205, a highly potent 2:1 CD20-targeted CD2 co-stimulatory T cell engager engineered for the treatment of B cell malignancies and B cell autoimmune diseases 

Afsana Sabrin, PhD – EvolveImmune Therapeutics

Session Description

Join our session to explore the latest advancements in CAR-T cells and bispecific T-cell engagers for the treatment of hematological malignancies. Discover the unique advantages, challenges, and opportunities of these novel therapies in revolutionizing patient outcomes. Learn about the current innovation in cell therapy and drug design but also the specific adverse events of such constructs. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from leading experts in the field and to access the latest advances from selected SITC abstracts.


Session 208e: Oral Abstract Session 

5:15–6:35 p.m. CST | George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 -General Assembly Theater

Co-Chairs: 

Sandra Susanibar, MD
University of Pennsylvania    

 
Anusha Kalbasi, MD
Stanford



View Full Session Schedule

5:15 p.m. Introduction

5:19 p.m.

(1096) Microbial metabolite-derived oral prodrug reprograms T cell metabolism and improves cancer immunotherapy 

Youngseok Cho, PharmD, PhD – University of Michigan

5:34 p.m.

(1127) Virus nanoparticle intratumoral vaccines for HER2+ malignancies 

Miguel A. Moreno-Gonzalez – University of California, San Diego

5:49 p.m.

(1156) Small circular RNA vaccines for combination cancer immunotherapy

Guizhi Zhu, PhD – University of Michigan

6:04 p.m.

(1232) Decoding the immunologic networks of the AML marrow microenvironment using CODEX 

Cameron Park, MS – Columbia University

6:19 p.m.

(1419) An anti-CXCL1/2/3/5 antibody breaks cancer-stroma paracrine network links and improve microenvironment beneficial for tumor growth 

Akiko Yoshioka, MS – Chiome Bioscience Inc.

6:34 p.m. Conclusion

Session Description

Selected abstracts will be presented in 10-15 minute oral presentations. 


Session 209: Awards Ceremony

6:40–7:10 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Chair: 

Leisha Emens, MD, PhD
Kaiser Permanente


 

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6:40 p.m. Introduction
Leisha Emens, MD, PhD 
6:45 p.m.

Award Recognition

•    Connect-a-Colleague Top Referrer 

•    JITC Best Paper Awards 

•    JITC Peer Review Mentorship Program Class of 2024 Graduates 

•    Young Investigator Awards 

•    Martin "Mac" Cheever Excellence in Clinical Trial Design - Travel Award 

•    SITC Fellowship Recipients 

•    Sparkathon Class of 2024 Recognition 

•    Presidential Travel Awards 

•    Presidential Award 

Session Description

TBA

Poster Reception 

7:10-8:30 p.m. CST  | George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 1 - Exhibit Halls AB

The CheckPoints Party 

8:30 p.m.-Midnight CST  | Marriott Marquis - Level 2 - Houston Ballroom

Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024

39th Annual Meeting   |   George R. Brown Convention Center   |   8:15 a.m.–12:35 p.m. CST

Times and program schedules subject to change.


Session 300: Organizer Welcome   

8:15–8:20 a.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Chair: 

Miriam Merad, MD, PhD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

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8:15 a.m. Organizer Welcome
Miriam Merad, MD, PhD - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Session Description

The official start of the last day begins with a welcome from one of the Organizers behind the Annual Meeting programming


Session 301: Thomas Waldmann Memorial Plenary Session: Understanding Response and Resistance – Lessons from Patient Samples

8:20–10:30 a.m. CST | George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Co-Chairs: 

Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD
University of California, Los Angeles

Catherine Wu, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

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8:20 a.m. Introduction
Co-Chair
8:25 a.m. Spatially Organized Immune Hubs in Colon Cancer
Karin Pelka, PhD – Gladstone Institutes 
8:55 a.m. Contextualizing Tumor Biomarkers in the Anti-PD-1-Refractory Setting
Katie Campbell, PhD - University of California, Los Angeles
9:25 a.m.

(77) Predicting the tumor microenvironment molecular composition to assess immunotherapy efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer from digital histopathology images

Alex Chen, MS – National Cancer Institute

9:40 a.m.

(209) Spatial multi-omics reveal humoral immunity niches associated with tertiary lymphoid structures in pancreatic cancer pathologic responders to neoadjuvant immunotherapy

Dimitrios N. Sidiropoulos, PhD – Johns Hopkins

9:55 a.m.

(543) Integrated single-cell and spatial analysis of immune cell interactions in response to immune checkpoint blockade

Athena Golfinos-Owens, BS – University of Wisconsin-Madison

10:10 a.m. Discussion
Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD - University of California, Los Angeles

Session Description

New single cell spatial pathology technologies are enabling a better understanding of the tumor microenvironment and how immune cells interact with cancer cells in response or resistance to cancer immunotherapies. The analysis of patient biopsy samples at unprecedented multidimensionality and resolution uncovers new biology and better understanding of how the immune system can treat cancer. In this session, two invited speakers that are at the forefront of the field will present analyses of patient biopsies, and three proffered speakers will be invited from the submitted abstracts that are thematically aligned with the session, followed by an expert discussion of the three oral presentations.

Break 

10:30-11 a.m. CST


Session 302: Hot Topic Symposium: AI in Discovery

11 a.m.–12:35 p.m. CST |  George R. Brown Convention Center - Level 3 - Hall A3

Co-Chairs: 

Riyue Bao, PhD
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center                    

Ira Mellman, PhD
Genentech  

View Full Session Schedule

11:00 a.m. Introduction
Session Co-Chair
11:05 a.m. IGSF8 is a Novel Immune Checkpoint and Cancer Immunotherapy Target
X. Shirley Liu, PhD - GV20Theraputics
11:25 a.m.

Foundational Pathology Models to Drive Personalized Immunotherapies

Carlo Bifulco, MD - Providence Genomics

11:45 a.m. Machine Learning for Decoding Tumor Microenvironments and Predicting Patient Outcomes
Linghua Wang, MD, PhD - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
12:05 p.m.
Panel Discussion

Session Description

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the field of immunotherapy has opened new avenues for research, diagnosis, and treatment. This session will explore cutting-edge AI-driven solutions and innovations to improve patient outcomes, streamline clinical workflows, and as a tool to assist in the discovery of new therapeutics. We will feature three invited talks from leading experts in academic biomedical centers and industry, followed by an in-depth panel discussion addressing critical challenges and propose solutions for implementing AI practices effectively and realistically, in the hope of shaping the future of immunotherapy.