Science and Research

Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer

The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC) is the society’s open access, peer-reviewed online journal. Readers from over 200 countries and territories throughout the world visited the journal in 2024, and over 1,100 followers “got social” with the journal via the journal’s official X and LinkedIn pages.  

Impact Factor:
10.3
5-Year Impact Factor:
11.6
CiteScore:
17.7
Acceptance Rate:
21%

JITC Leadership Transition

In January 2024, SITC announced the results of the search for JITC’s next Editor-in-Chief which led to the selection of Michael T. Lotze, MD (2024-2028). An enthusiastic, long-time SITC member, Dr. Lotze has contributed greatly to the society through various programs and initiatives, and in numerous roles, including SITC President 1998–2000. He was also honored with the society’s Visionary/Legacy Award in 2020 and the SITC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. 

Sjoerd H. van der Burg, PhD was promoted to Deputy Editor-in-Chief (2024-2025) after serving in an interim capacity throughout 2023. He carries a wealth of knowledge and experience within JITC, having served on the Editorial Board since its founding.  

As Dr. Lotze transitioned into his new role throughout the year, Interim Editor-in-Chief James L. Gulley, MD, PhD, FACP and Dr. van der Burg served as valuable resources, leading to a smooth and successful transition of leadership. The society expresses sincere gratitude to Dr. Gulley for his 12 years of service and exceptional care during the transition of leadership. 

Michael T. Lotze, MD 
Editor-in-Chief 

Sjoerd H. van der Burg, PhD 
Deputy Editor-in-Chief 

James L. Gulley, MD, PhD, FACP
Interim Editor-in-Chief 

JITC's Focus for the Future

JITC held an in-person Strategic Planning Meeting in 2024 that led to the identification of four key strategic areas of focus: Quality and Standards, User Experience, IO Community Engagement, and Brand Expansion and Awareness. Continued tactic prioritization and feasibility assessments will lead to the development of a multi-year strategic plan with anticipated rollout during JITC’s Annual Editorial Board Meeting in January 2025. 

Read Dr. Lotze’s and Dr. van der Burg’s early thoughts on the future vision for the journal and the field: Perspectives from the leadership of Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer



JITC Special Series

Computational Immuno-Oncology

This collection of reviews will expand upon the topics and concepts presented in the SITC-NCI Computational Immuno-Oncology Webinar Series and aim to provide clarity and guidance to the discourse on data science technologies and analyses among researchers and clinicians, as well as to serve as an impetus for translational immunotherapy research. Series reviews began publishing in 2023 and is expected to conclude in early 2025.



Cancer Immunotherapy in Understudied Populations

This collection of reviews highlights issues that impact aging- and DEI-related research in the current immuno-oncology landscape and aims to inspire researchers who will fill knowledge gaps in immunotherapy with respect to the roles of aging, race, ethnicity, and social determinants of health, and covers various aspects of understudied demographics and addresses immunotherapy treatments, both for solid cancers and hemato-oncology, and immune response among these groups. The series began publishing in fall 2024 and is expected to conclude in early 2025.

Alan Hutson, PhD
Guest Editor

Kavita Dhodapkar, MBBS 
Guest Editor

Johanneke E. A. Portielje, MD, PhD
Guest Editor

Summit on Immunomodulation of Antibody-drug Conjugates

The SITC Summit on Immunomodulation of Antibody-drug Conjugates (ADCs) highlighted the current understanding of ADCs and their effects on the immune system and the tumor microenvironment. ADC monotherapies, ADC combination therapies, and next generation immunoconjugates for targeted cancer therapy were also discussed. This open-door virtual educational event presented the current state and future directions of the field and feature participation of invited stakeholders involved in ADC research and development, including clinicians and researchers from academia and industry.

SITC's Summit on Immunomodulation of Antibody-drug Conjugates is supported, in part, by grants from AstraZeneca, and Mersana Therapeutics Inc.

SITC Summit on Intralesional Immunotherapy: Moving Beyond Oncolytic Viruses

The SITC Summit on Intralesional Immunotherapy: Moving Beyond Oncolytic Viruses highlighted the current understanding of intralesional immunotherapies and their effects on the immune system and the tumor microenvironment. In situ vaccination, intralesional combination therapies, and next generation intralesional immunotherapies were discussed. This virtual educational event presented the current state and future directions of the field and featured participation of invited stakeholders involved in intralesional immunotherapy research and development, including clinicians and researchers from academia and industry.

This program is supported, in part, by grants from Regeneron, Ankyra Therapeutics, and Lytix Biopharma, Inc.