Access SITC COVID-19 Resources

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected all aspects of healthcare and the oncology and immuno-oncology communities may face unique challenges in regards to patient care. As immuno-oncology practitioners treat patients during the pandemic, it has also become apparent that the immunotherapy field may offer important insights into clinical practice, immune-related pathophysiology and other topics that may be useful to the broader healthcare community during this time of great need.

SITC COVID-19 Discussion Forums

SITC has launched two new online communities to serve as discussion forums to facilitate global communication and rapidly disseminate critical information related to COVID-19. These forums aim to spark conversations between professionals on the frontlines of this pandemic and facilitate the sharing of observations and insights in real time during the pandemic. The discussions forums DO NOT require a SITC membership to participate, simply log in to your free SITC CONNECT account (or create one here) and begin posting.

• COVID-19 Implications for Patient Management Forum
• COVID-19 Considerations for Basic and Translational Research Forum

SITC COVID-19 Statements and Publications

SITC Editorial – Expanded Access to Anti-IL-6/IL-6R Therapies for COVID-19

To support clinicians working at the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, SITC developed the statement titled “Insights from immuno-oncology: the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Statement on access to IL-6-targeting therapies for COVID-19.” In this editorial, SITC advocates for the pharmaceutical industry, health authorities and institutional IRBs to continue to work creatively and collaboratively to expand access to IL-6-targeting therapies for their potential use in critically-ill patients with COVID-19, while waiting for results from controlled randomized trials. Click here to access this statement.

SITC Position Paper - Available Therapies with Potential to Improve Outcomes for COVID-19 Patients

A paper developed by SITC, titled “The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Perspective on Regulation of Interleukin 6 Signaling in COVID-19-related Systemic Inflammatory Response” identified available therapies – including IL-6, IL-1 and TNF alpha – that could be explored with the potential to reduce the severe and sometimes fatal inflammatory response observed during COVID-19 infection. Click here to access this manuscript.

SITC Statement Advocating for Scientific Journals to Grant Open Access for COVID-19 Publications

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) has issued a call for all COVID-19-related research to be made open-access across all biomedical journals, to further facilitate exchange of information during the Coronavirus pandemic. Click here to access this statement.

SITC COVID-19 Additional Resources

SITC has curated a number of additional resources to assist oncology professionals during these rapidly changing times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to access the latest SITC COVID-19 resources.

Participate in the 2020 SITC Election May 6-20

SITC regular and emeritus members are invited to help choose future leaders of the society by voting in the SITC Election, scheduled to take place May 6–20. This year, SITC members will choose the society’s next Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and three new At-Large Directors. SITC’s Vice President serves a two-year term before ascending to the role of SITC President for two years. 

The 2020 SITC Election candidates are:

Vice President (select one)

• Leisha Emens, MD, PhD – UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
• Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Secretary/Treasurer (select one)

• Sandra Demaria, MD – Weill Cornell Medicine
• Jedd Wolchok, MD, PhD – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

At-Large Director (select three)

• Tullia Bruno, PhD – University of Pittsburgh
• Christian Capitini, MD – University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Karin Jooss, PhD – Gritstone Oncology
• Adekunle Odunsi, MD, PhD – Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Kimberly Shafer-Weaver, PhD – Merck & Co., Inc.
• Ann Silk, MD, MS – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Click here to learn more about the 2020 SITC Election. To participate in the election, become a SITC regular member or renew your membership here.

Register to Attend the 35^th Anniversary Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs on Nov. 10–15

SITC 2020 to Take Place in Same Location, All NEW Days (Tuesday-Sunday)

SITC will welcome thousands of researchers, clinicians and others from around the cancer immunotherapy field to the 35^th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs (SITC 2020) later this year. Taking place on all new days this fall, SITC 2020 will occur Tuesday, Nov. 10 through Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.  In celebration of our anniversary year, SITC student members are eligible for free registration to the 35^th Anniversary Annual Meeting. All SITC members receive access to discounted registration rates.

Click here to learn more about SITC 2020 registration.

Abstract and Presentation Application Submission Now Open

SITC is now accepting submissions of regular abstracts and late-breaking abstract applications for the 35^th Anniversary Annual Meeting as well as presentation applications for the Immunotherapy Resistance and Failure Pre-Conference Program. Present your work to the world’s largest scientific conference dedicated solely to cancer immunotherapy! Click here to learn more about SITC 2020 abstract and presentation application submission requirements.

SITC 2020 Pre-Conference Programs

Immunotherapy Resistance and Failure

1–7 p.m. • Nov. 10 • Presentation Applications Due July 31

Program Organizers:

• Kald Abdallah, MD, PhD – Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Edward Cha, MD, PhD – Genentech
• Leena Gandhi, MD, PhD – Eli Lilly
• Jennifer Gansert, MD, PhD – Amgen
• Israel Lowy, MD, PhD – Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
• Giovanni Melillo, MD – AstraZeneca
• Eric Rubin, MD – Merck & Co., Inc.

 Addressing the problem of immune checkpoint inhibitors resistance and failure therefore will require collaboration between researchers and clinicians involved in all aspects of cancer research and practice, including basic, translational and clinical areas. The Immunotherapy Resistance Committee has recently composed a manuscript outlining general definitions of PD-(L)1 inhibitor resistance, which will serve as a foundation for this program. Authors of this manuscript will discuss their findings, and this program will also serve as a key dissemination and discussion platform for these SITC-led resistance definitions.

Click here to continue learning about the Immunotherapy Resistance and Failure program and click here to submit your research.

Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™

8 a.m.–5 p.m. • Nov. 11

Program Organizers:

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

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™ 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 2020 attendees.

Click here to continue learning about this SITC 2020 program.

Workshop on Engineering Immune Cells for Cancer Therapy

8 a.m.–5 p.m. • Nov. 11

Workshop Organizers:

• Christine Brown, PhD – City of Hope 
• Katayoun Rezvani, MD, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Marco Ruella, MD – University of Pennsylvania 

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 will therefore highlight 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.

Click here to continue learning about this SITC 2020 workshop.

Grant Writing Workshop

6:30–9 p.m. • Nov. 11

Workshop Organizers:

• David Aggen, MD, PhD – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Olivia Rongze Lu, PhD –  University of Texas at Austin
• Claire Vanpouille-Box, PhD – Weill Cornell Medical College
• Grey Wilkinson, PhD – Oncolytics Biotech Inc. 

This evening program will outline funding opportunities and how to navigate them, 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.

Click here to continue learning about this SITC 2020 workshop.

35^th Anniversary Annual Meeting

Nov. 12–15

35^th Anniversary Annual Meeting Organizers:

• Chair: Sandra Demaria, MD – Weill Cornell Medicine
• Helen E. Heslop, MD – Baylor College of Medicine
• Brianna W. Hoffner, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP – Harborside
• Miriam Merad, MD, PhD – Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Jedd D. Wolchok, MD, PhD – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

The Annual Meeting consists of cutting-edge research presentations by experts in the field, both oral and poster abstract presentations, and ample opportunity for structured and informal discussions, including important networking opportunities. In addition, the meeting includes updates on major national and international initiatives coming from academia, government and industry, as well as important society projects.

Click here to continue learning about the 35^th Anniversary Annual Meeting.

Access SITC 2019 Late-Breaking Abstract Supplement

At the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s 34^th Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs (SITC 2019), we gathered together to hear and discuss the latest research and to develop new ideas and collaborations for the lab and clinic. Researchers submitted nearly 1,000 abstracts, a record-breaking number! The quality and profundity of cancer immunotherapy research at our meeting is evident from the recent publication of the SITC 2019 late-breaking abstract supplement (in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC)).

Register Now for October Cytokines in Cancer Immunotherapy Workshop

Oct. 12–13 • New York • View Schedule • Register Now • Registration Rates • Submit an Abstract

Workshop Organizers:

• Susan M. Kaech, PhD – Salk Institute
• Anne O'Garra, PhD – The Francis Crick Institute
• Aaron Ring, MD, PhD – Yale University

SITC invites you to attend the workshop, Cytokines in Cancer Immunotherapy, scheduled for Oct. 12-13, 2020, at the Millennium Times Square in New York. This SITC workshop will focus on providing a deeper understanding of cytokines in immune cell proliferation, differentiation, and function, as they pertain to tumor immunobiology and cancer immunotherapy approaches.

This workshop will encourage further investigation into the use of cytokines as solo therapeutic agents as well as in combination with cancer treatments by bringing together established experts and drawing talented new scientists and clinicians into the area of cytokines and immune cell differentiation and function.

A portion of the workshop will be dedicated to early career scientists, wherein 20 early career investigators who are selected through a review of abstract submissions will orally present their cytokine-related research. Encore abstracts are welcome. Abstract application submission deadline is Sept. 1, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Click here to learn more, submit an abstract, or register for this workshop.

Join SITC or Renew Your Membership in 2020

Become a SITC member to join a vibrant and growing network of research scientists, physician scientists, clinicians, patients, patient advocates, government representatives and industry leaders. SITC is the world’s leading member-driven society dedicated to professionals working in the field of cancer immunotherapy.

If you have not yet renewed your membership in 2020, this means your member benefits have expired! Regain access to these benefits, including discounted registration o SITC meetings and early access to enduring materials by renewing your membership today!