Science and Research

JITC Enhancements

In 2025, JITC implemented several enhancements designed to improve reader experience, strengthen scientific dialogue, and uphold the highest standards of content quality.

A new Rapid Response feature was launched to encourage responsible scientific debate, critique, and discussion. Available for all published articles, this feature provides a formal mechanism for timely scholarly exchange and post-publication engagement.

JITC also completed a comprehensive redesign of its article pages following a year-long development effort. The update improved readability and user experience while incorporating backend enhancements to enable faster content loading and more efficient search functionality.

In collaboration with its publisher, JITC further strengthened its content screening processes by integrating advanced research integrity tools. These enhancements help ensure the authenticity, reliability, and scientific rigor of manuscripts submitted to the journal.

JITC Special Series

The Next Wave of Immuno-oncology: A Roadmap from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC)

Recognizing both the landmark achievements of the immuno-oncology (I-O) field and the challenges that lie ahead, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) leveraged this critical inflection point to convene a diverse group of experts spanning academia, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, patient advocacy, and the regulatory community. Together, these stakeholders developed a comprehensive roadmap to guide the next wave of novel cancer immunotherapies.

Published as a special series, the collection features leading voices who assess the current state of the field, highlight the most pressing scientific, clinical, and regulatory challenges, and identify the most promising opportunities for high clinical impact. Designed to serve as a foundational resource charting the path from discovery to patient care, the series launched in 2024 and concluded in 2025 with the publication of its fifth and final article. 

SITC 40^th Anniversary: I-O Progress and Potential

JITC presents this special series authored by luminaries in the field of immuno-oncology in celebration of the 40^th Anniversary of SITC. Numerous SITC Fellows of the Academy of Immuno-Oncology and Richard V. Smalley Memorial Award recipients put pen to paper to provide their insights into current achievements in various areas of the field while also sharing their personal, forward-looking vision of where the field is moving in the upcoming decades. “SITC 40^th Anniversary: I-O Progress and Potential” will form a roadmap to the future of I-O that touches on areas of opportunity while also celebrating 40 years of SITC driving breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy. The series began publishing in late 2024 and will continue into early 2026.

Summit on Neuro Immuno-Oncology: From Challenges to Opportunities

The Summit on Neuro Immuno-Oncology: From Challenges to Opportunities delivered a comprehensive overview of current and emerging research in neuro immuno-oncology, highlighting how recent advances may expand the application of immunotherapy for the treatment of brain tumors. Through a combination of didactic presentations and expert-led panel discussions, the program examined the tumor immune microenvironment, addressed unique challenges in both adult and pediatric brain cancers, and reviewed ongoing clinical trials of cellular therapies. The Summit attracted strong engagement.

Over 350 attendees

Representation from academic research and industry settings

This program was supported, in part, by Kite Pharma, Inc., and an anonymous donor.

A special thank you to our Co-Chairs

Summit on the Future of Neoadjuvant Clinical Trial Design

The Summit on the Future of Neoadjuvant Clinical Trial Design convened experts from academia, industry, and government to examine the expanding role of neoadjuvant immunotherapy and identify strategies to advance clinical trial design in this setting. Through expert-led presentations and panel discussions, the program addressed key considerations including endpoint selection, regulatory alignment, translational integration, and biomarker development.

Over 225 attendees

100% of post-program survey respondents indicated they would recommend the program to a colleague

A special thank you to the SITC Neoadjuvant Clinical Trial Design Working Group: