Global Access & Impact

Global Access Manuscript

The development of clinical trials and demonstration projects in resource-limited settings, such as sub-Saharan Africa, is essential to expanding equitable access to cancer immunotherapy and advancing the field of IO. However, limited guidance on how to effectively design and implement these trials remains a barrier to broader adoption. To address this challenge, SITC convened its Global Access and Impact Committee, along with international stakeholders and subject-matter experts, to examine how studying diverse populations, environmental factors, co-morbidities and treatment efficacy in low- and lower middle-income countries (LMICs) can generate insights that benefit the global IO community.

The group, comprising academic and industry representatives from around the world, shared expertise on best practices for conducting clinical trials in LMICs and highlighted how these efforts can strengthen scientific understanding and inform future immunotherapy development worldwide. The resulting manuscript was published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC) in early 2025.

Read the Manuscript

A special thank you to our co-chairs

David Kaufman, MD, PhD
Third Rock Ventures 

Jennifer Dent, MBA
BIO Ventures for Global Health

Nora Sobrevilla, MD
Instituto Nacional de Cancerología

Tom Uldrick, MD MS
Regeneron

International Collaborative Education Programs (CEPs)

In 2025, SITC expanded its global educational reach through participation in multiple continuing education programs (CEPs) across Europe and Asia, strengthening international collaboration and knowledge exchange in immuno-oncology.

European Association for Cancer Research (EACR): Defense Is the Best Attack: Immuno-Oncology

This first-time collaboration with EACR featured participation from a SITC representative and speaker. The three-day program examined recent advances in immunotherapy, spanning basic science through clinical investigation, with an emphasis on novel target identification.

European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) – IO Primer Session

This historic collaboration, organized by SITC volunteers, delivered a half-day primer focused on foundational immuno-oncology concepts. Topics included neoadjuvant therapy, spatial biology, novel immunomodulators, multiomics approaches, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in IO.

Immunotherapy Bridge

In partnership with Fondazione Melanoma Onlus, this historic collaboration featured a joint session on emerging immune biology. The two-day program explored immunotherapy trends across cancer types, novel agents beyond checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell–based therapies, and mechanisms driving organ-specific immune responses.

Tumor Immunology Meets Oncology (TIMO) XVI

This longstanding collaboration, led by SITC volunteer Dr. Barbara Seliger, featured a three-day program highlighting the latest approaches and technologies in tumor immunology and oncology. The meeting included presentations from both early-career investigators and established leaders in the field.

29th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Cancer Immunology (JACI)

This new collaboration with JACI included participation from multiple SITC speakers, both virtual and in person, and featured a keynote presentation by Carl June. The three-day program covered cutting-edge topics such as cell therapies, spatial analysis, tumor microenvironment research, bispecific antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, combination strategies, and AI applications in immunotherapy.

Low- and Lower-Middle Income Economy (LMIE) Membership & Participation

SITC continued to strengthen its commitment to building a diverse and inclusive global community in 2025. LMIE membership increased to 386 members, compared with 326 in 2024, with India, Nigeria, and Pakistan representing the top three countries of membership. The Certificate in Cancer Immunotherapy, Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy (ACI), and the SITC-NCI Computational Immuno-oncology Webinar Series emerged as the top programs for LMIE engagement, with the Certificate Program alone attracting more than 170 LMIE participants in 2025.

World Immunotherapy Council (WIC)

In 2025, SITC expanded its World Immunotherapy Council (WIC) programming with two successful global initiatives. The year began with the second WIC Asia-Pacific Conference (WIC-APAC) Meeting, a two-day program held in Singapore that brought together early-career investigators from across Asia with established leaders in immunotherapy. The meeting featured 11 young investigators representing WIC organizations throughout the region and fostered scientific exchange, mentorship, and lasting professional connections.

A special thank you to our organizers

John Connolly, PhD
Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy

Bernard Fox, PhD
Providence Cancer Institute

James L. Gulley, MD, PhD, FACP
National Cancer Institute

Arutha Kulasinghe, PhD
University of Queensland

Michael T. Lotze, MD
University of Pittsburgh

Joe Yeong, MD, PhD
Singapore General Hospital

Later in the year, the WIC Symposium was held in conjunction with the SITC Annual Meeting and Pre-Conference Programs. This half-day symposium featured 17 young investigators representing 14 different countries worldwide and marked a milestone with first-time participation from Africa and Latin America. Attendance reached a new high, with more than 135 individuals registering for the program.

A special thank you to our organizers

Cheng Sun, MD, PhD
University of Science and Technology of China

Rieneke van de Ven, PhD
Amsterdam University Medical Centers

Joe Yeong, MD, PhD
Singapore General Hospital