The Summit on Neuro Immuno-oncology: From Challenges to Opportunities, is supported, in part, by (as of Feb. 19, 2025). Additional support has also been made by an anonymous donor.

Bronze Supporter

Contact Development@sitcancer.org for more information on how your organization's support can help advance cancer immunotherapy and make "cure" a reality.

Summit Overview

Program Summary

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) will host the Summit on Neuro Immuno-oncology: From Challenges to Opportunities on Wednesday, February 19, from 12–4 p.m. EDT. The virtual summit is a free, public event that features invited speakers, expert panel discussions, and attendee question and answer periods. The multi-stakeholder virtual summit will feature expert faculty presenters at the forefront of neuro immuno-oncology. The SITC Summit on Neuro Immuno-oncology will highlight the latest translational and clinical research in neuro immuno-oncology, areas of opportunity and development in the field, and how this novel research will advance the use of immunotherapy to treat brain tumors. Topics to be addressed at the summit include the blood-brain barrier and drug accessibility, the tumor immune microenvironments of primary brain tumors and brain metastases in adults and children, and clinical trials of cellular therapies for the treatment of brain tumors.

The challenges in NIO, the brain tumor immune microenvironment of primary tumors and metastases in adult and pediatric patients, and clinical trials of cellular therapies for brain tumors will also be discussed. This open-door virtual educational event will present the current state and future directions of the field and feature participation of expert clinicians and researchers in NIO.

Problem Statement

Recent advances in neuro immuno-oncology (NIO) have rapidly advanced the field and challenged the long-held concept of an immune-privileged brain. As more discoveries and breakthroughs occur, more efforts are needed to develop and advance strategies of immunotherapy for the treatment of brain cancers.

This program will provide an up-to-date overview of current and emerging research in NIO, challenges in the field, and the potential clinical impact of these discoveries and challenges. Didactic presentations and panel discussions will identify clinical and translational strategies, challenges, and opportunities in the field of NIO, educating all attendees about this quickly advancing field and building collaborations that will advance immunotherapy for brain tumors and improve patient outcomes.

Summit Goals & Objectives

The primary objective of the SITC Summit on Neuro Immuno-oncology: From Challenges to Opportunities is to highlight recent advances, opportunities, and challenges in the field of neuro immuno-oncology and the field can advance the use of immunotherapy for the treatment of brain tumors. Secondary goals include discussing current research in the fast-growing field of neuro immuno-oncology (NIO), building new collaborations within NIO other oncology subspecialties, and articulating high-priority research areas and a path forward for the field.

Program Organizers

Robyn D. Gartrell, MD

Robyn D. Gartrell, MD
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Rongze

Rongze "Olivia" Lu, PhD
University of California, San Francisco

Claire Vanpouille-Box, PhD

Claire Vanpouille-Box, PhD
Weill Cornell Medicine

Summit Agenda  VIEW FLYER

Neuro Immuno-Oncology Virtual Summit: Wednesday, February 19, 2025  - 12–4 p.m. EDT
12–12:05 p.m.

Welcome and Introduction

Claire Vanpouille-Box, MD – Weill Cornell Medicine
Topic 1: Neuro Immuno-oncology Challenges
12:05–12:25 p.m.

How the Unique Brain Tumor Microenvironment Generates Immunotherapy Challenges

Justin Lathia, PhD – Cleveland Clinic
12:25–12:45 p.m.

Challenges in Using Immunotherapy for Brain Tumors

Gavin Dunn, MD, PhD – Massachusetts General Hospital
12:45–12:50 p.m.
 Break
12:50–1:10 p.m.

Blood-brain Barrier and the Immune Response Against CNS Antigens

Hideho Okada, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
1:10–1:30 p.m.

TIME in Pediatric Brain Tumors

Aaron Diaz, PhD  – University of California, San Francisco
1:30–2:15 p.m.

Speaker Panel Discussion and Q&A

Moderators: Rongze "Olivia" Lu, MPH – University of California, San Francisco and Claire Vanpouille-Box, MD –Weill Cornell Medicine

Aaron Diaz, PhD – University of California, San Francisco

Gavin Dunn, MD, PhD – Massachusetts General Hospital

Hideho Okada, MD, PhD – University of California, San Francisco
2:15–2:20 p.m.
 Break
Topic 2: CAR T Cell Therapy for Pediatric and Adult Brain Tumors
2:20–2:40 p.m.

Brief Experience from the First Generation of Adult and Pediatric Intracranial CAR T Cell Trials

Nicholas A. Vitanza, MD – Seattle Children's
2:40–3 p.m.

Understanding and Overcoming T-Cell Therapy Challenges for Brain Tumors

Giedre Krenciute, PhD – St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
3–3:35 p.m.

Speaker Panel Discussion and Q&A

Moderator: Robyn Gartrell, MD, MS – Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Giedre Krenciute, PhD – St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Nicholas A. Vitanza, MD – Seattle Children's
3:35–3:40 p.m.

Conclusion, Next Steps and Potential Outcomes

Robyn Gartrell, MD, MS – Johns Hopkins School of Medicine