A Message from the President
Last month, we witnessed the monumental FDA approval of lifileucel, a first-in-class tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Notably, the approval of lifileucel also marks the first approval of any cellular therapy for the treatment of solid tumors, thus significantly expanding its application beyond hematologic malignancies. This critical milestone event underscores the importance of supporting the biotech ecosystem to ensure promising novel immunotherapeutics have a pathway to approval for patients in need. The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) plays a crucial role in advancing these efforts by promoting collaboration, supporting research initiatives, and advocating for the development of innovative therapies in the cancer immunotherapy space.
With the approval of lifileucel, and the promise of other emerging cellular therapies, the cancer treatment landscape is rapidly evolving. SITC's ambitious
goal of achieving 100 new FDA approvals in the next ten years reflects our organization's dedication to advancing the field and improving outcomes for patients battling cancer. In response to these swift developments, SITC remains dedicated to delivering timely updates and insights to its members and community. Exciting molecules in the drug development pipeline will diversify and expand immunotherapy for cancer, particularly for solid tumors. Promising agents with PDUFA dates this year include an IL-15-based therapeutic, a DLL3 T cell engager, and TCR-T cellular therapies.
Additionally, on April 16, SITC’s ACI: A Focus on Cellular Therapies, T Cell Engagers and TIL Therapies will include a presentation on TILs and a discussion on TIL protocols. A big thank you to the organizers of this program: Christian Capitini, MD – University of Wisconsin – Madison, Pawel Muranski, MD – Columbia University Medical Center and Shari A. Pilon-Thomas, PhD – H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.
SITC is also set to host a TIL Symposium taking place this fall during the 39th Annual Meeting and Pre-Conference Programs. Please mark your calendars for November 6 if you’re interested in attending! The program organizers, including Chantale Bernatchez, PhD – The Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center, Stephanie Goff, MD, FACS – National Cancer Institute, and Shari A. Pilon-Thomas, PhD – H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, are hard at work developing a robust program agenda.
Lastly, SITC recently concluded a successful Spring Scientific program in Miami, boasting record-breaking registration numbers. We are appreciative of program organizers Greg M. Delgoffe, PhD – University of Pittsburgh, Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD – Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Jennifer A. Wargo, MD, MMSc – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and are enthusiastic about carrying this momentum forward into the 2025 program. Next year's event is entitled "2025 Spring Scientific: Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors." This gathering will delve into various aspects of cell therapy for solid tumors, including novel construct designs, immunologically relevant distinctions between hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, synthetic versus endogenous immunity, tumor microenvironment correlates, and in vivo cell therapy focusing on emerging platform technologies. Make sure to mark your calendars for March 12–15, 2025, in San Diego, CA!
Help us continue our work to expand research and advocacy of immunotherapy by joining SITC today! Together, we make IT happen.
Leisha A. Emens, MD, PhD
SITC President
Remembering Dr. Brendan Horton 
SITC honors the memory of member, Brendan Horton, who passed away on March 10, 2024. Dr. Horton first joined SITC in 2014 and was active in many ways. He served on the Early Career Scientist Committee, organized the 2022 Meet the Expert Lunch, participated in the 2021 Sparkathon Class, served as a Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer reviewer in 2021, presented an abstract at the 2021 Cytokines program and attended many more SITC programs and events.
SITC offers sincere condolences to his family for their loss. Dr. Horton will be missed by his friends and colleagues in the cancer immunotherapy community.
Read more about Dr. Horton here.
Please contact the SITC membership team at membership@sitcancer.org if you are aware of a SITC member who has passed away.
Program Spotlight
AI in IO: SITC-NCI Computational Immuno-oncology Webinar Series
Re-imagined for 2024, this series of nine FREE webinars focuses specifically on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of immuno-oncology (IO).
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2024 Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy™
Each Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy™ (ACI) program will present the latest clinical updates in a disease state or therapeutic modality, giving a deep dive into practical application, immune-related adverse events, and future trends. ACI webinars are certified for CE credits and FREE for healthcare professionals.
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Deep Dive Webinar Series
This is a series of highly focused webinars designed to dive deep into the current science behind hot topics in immuno-oncology. The current webinar series, starting on Apr. 3, features topics including: Personalized Vaccines, Targeted Delivery of Immune Modulators, CD3 Engagers and TCR by CD3 in Solid Tumors, and more
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Additional Programming and Events
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