SITC Resource Library

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) hosted the “Immunotherapy Resistance and Failure” program during the 35^th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs on November 9, 2020. Available here are the presentation slides and video from "Session II: Primary Resistance," as permitted by presenters.

Program Summary

While many patients with cancer are experiencing significant long-term benefits from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the vast majority exhibit either primary or secondary (acquired) resistance to these therapies. The underlying mechanisms for the wide range of responses are not well understood. Before ICI resistant/relapsed patients can be properly managed, however, these underlying causes need to be elucidated, which will enable rational design of therapeutic options based on these mechanisms of resistance. Testing of therapies in this ICI-resistant population also presents unique questions, including defining resistance and proper clinical trial design strategies.

Addressing the problem of ICI 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. This program featured both invited faculty presentations by experts in the field, as well as abstract presentations from researchers. This workshop brought together all stakeholders to address ICI resistance and failure, in order to move the field forward and continue advancing patient care.

Program Organizers

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

To view the entire program schedule (including presenter permission to post) please click here.