SITC Resource Library

Program Summary

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) hosted the Summit on Neuro Immuno-oncology: From Challenges to Opportunities on Wednesday, February 19, from 12–4 p.m. EDT. The SITC Summit on Neuro Immuno-oncology highlighted 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 addressed at the summit included 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.

Program Organizers

• Robyn D. Gartrell, MD - Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• Rongze "Olivia" Lu, PhD - University of California, San Francisco
  
• Claire Vanpouille-Box, PhD - Weill Cornell Medicine

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. 

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.

More information about the program, including the summit agenda, can be found here.