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. In 2025, the journal reached readers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, while its official X and LinkedIn channels engaged over 12,000 followers. Supporting the journal’s rigorous peer-review process, JITC benefited from the expertise of nearly 95 Editorial Board members and more than 1,500 unique reviewers. 

Impact Factor:
10.6
5-Year Impact Factor:
11.5
CiteScore:
17.8
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 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

Robyn D. Gartrell, MD Robyn D. Gartrell, MD
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Rongze "Olivia" Lu, PhDRongze "Olivia" Lu, PhD
University of California, San Francisco

Claire Vanpouille-Box, PhDClaire Vanpouille-Box, PhD
Weill Cornell Medicine

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:

Patrick Forde, MD Patrick Forde, MD
Trinity College Dublin
Chair

Tina Cascone, MD, PhD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Andrea Ferris, MBA
LUNGevity

Italia Grenga, MD
AstraZeneca

Erin Larkins, MD
FDA

Jason Luke, MD, FACP
UPMC

Grainne O'Kane, MD
St. Vincents University Hospital and University College Dublin

Solange Peters, MD, PhD
Lausanne University and ESMO

Mark Yarchoan, MD
Johns Hopkins University