President's Message - March 2019

Dear Colleagues,

Last month, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) recognized and celebrated International Day of Women and Girls in Science. With International Women’s Day approaching (March 8), it reminds us of our responsibility and commitment to help advance the careers of women in the cancer immunotherapy field.

As the successor to the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) first female president, Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD, I am privileged to continue and expand our society’s support of women involved with research and development in the laboratory, clinic, industry and all other areas related to immuno-oncology.

Dr. Butterfield championed many causes, programs and initiatives during her tenure as SITC President, including working to ensure the society was recognizing and encouraging professional development for women. This included hosting women’s receptions at the past two SITC Annual Meetings, offering women an opportunity to network, celebrate successes and discuss important topics critical to their advancement.

Through Dr. Butterfield’s continued leadership, and with support from many of our fellow colleagues, SITC will host its first-ever Women in Cancer Immunotherapy Network (WIN) Leadership Institute this summer. Scheduled for Aug. 19–20, 2019, in Seattle, the SITC WIN Leadership Institute will provide a forum for attendees to discuss important topics relevant to their advancement, including how to break through the glass ceiling; negotiation tactics; and critical leadership skills. Also of note, the program is free to attend. Women interested in attending this exciting one-and-a-half-day program are encouraged to submit an application by April 15.

SITC is currently recruiting our members to join the Women in Cancer Immunotherapy Network Database. This database will contain a repository of leaders in the field of cancer immunotherapy with an interest in serving as subject matter experts for a variety of potential roles, such as presenting data at SITC meetings, conducting article reviews for the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC), serving in organizer roles to plan future meetings and more.

Those interested in being considered for such future opportunities can submit their credentials via the SITC Volunteer Portal, a members-only benefit. If you have questions about the database, please contact Senior Administrative Manager Rosanne Stelpflug.

I, along with all the leadership of SITC, wholeheartedly support the efforts of the WIN. The WIN is a key part of our society’s commitment to developing future female leaders in science and medicine – some who will hopefully follow Dr. Butterfield’s footsteps and serve as SITC President in the future. I’m also sending a reminder that SITC member registration for the 34^th Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs (SITC 2019) opens soon – on March 26. Scheduled for Nov. 6–10 in National Harbor, Md., SITC 2019 will take our society to new heights and I look forward to seeing new and familiar faces this fall.

Sincerely,

Mario Sznol, MD
SITC President

President's Message - January 2019

Dear Colleagues,

I am excited and honored to address you in my first monthly message as President of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC). I have enjoyed the past two years as SITC’s Vice President, supporting Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD, SITC’s first female president, during her tenure as leader of our society. Thank you, Dr. Butterfield, for setting a foundation for the increased inclusion, development, and celebration of women in cancer immunotherapy. The society appreciates your continued leadership and commitment to the field and our organization!

As I assume this role on the heels of another successful year for SITC – which includes reaching new marks within our membership and a record-breaking 5,000 attendees at our Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs – I am looking forward to helping continue our society’s tremendous growth. During my tenure as President, I will work to sustain SITC’s commitment as the leading member association in cancer immunotherapy. I will also ensure SITC remains the host to the most important meeting in the field, as we provide a platform for the presentation of phase 1 clinical trial data that provide insight into the future of immuno-oncology.

SITC has many exciting programs and initiatives slated for the next 12 months, all of which seek to improve cancer patient outcomes by advancing the science, development and application of cancer immunotherapy. A more complete listing of these initiatives is provided below, and I would like to highlight a few occurring in the near future.

It is critical for SITC to continue its emphasis in growing the next generation of leaders in cancer immunotherapy and tumor immunology. This is an area I am keenly focused on and support heavily. To that end, SITC is pleased to continue to offer SITC Fellowship Awards in 2019. Made possible through generous support from our industry partners, SITC Fellowships honor some of the brightest young minds in the field. The development and celebration of young investigators in our field is an important strategic priority of the society and one of my foci as President.

Additionally, registrations are open for SITC’s first Cancer Immunotherapy Winter School. Scheduled for Feb. 18-22 in Mesa, Ariz., this new program, tailored to early career scientists and clinicians as well as those new to the field, will teach the fundamentals of cancer immunotherapy and allow attendees to choose from a variety of tracks that focus on topics most relevant to them. Space is limited so register early! Also, SITC will host its first Meet-the-Expert Webinar on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 12:30 p.m. CST. This hour-long webinar, moderated by Sruthi Ravindranathan, PhD (Emory University), and with participation from presenter Vionnie W.C. Yu, PhD (Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research), will focus on the topic Careers in Industry. Please click here to register for this free online event.

SITC continues its 2018-19 Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy™ (ACI) regional education program series, with events currently confirmed for Sacramento, Calif., on Jan. 10 in Houston on Feb. 9 and in Portland, Ore., on Feb. 21. Also, we look forward to hosting two, back-to-back thoughtful and engaging interim workshops, focused on cancer immune responsiveness and resistance; and adoptive cellular therapy. Stay tuned for information regarding location, registration and lodging.

If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll consider joining or renewing your SITC membership in 2019 to enjoy a variety of member benefits, including early access to register for the 34^th Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs, scheduled for Nov. 6-10, 2019, in National Harbor, Md.

I am excited to strengthen existing, and build new, relationships with leaders in the field as we work together to continue the growth and success of the society.

Sincerely,

Mario Sznol, MD
SITC President

President's Message - December 2018

Dear Colleagues,

In my final Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Presidential Message, I thought I’d start with last month’s 33^rd Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs (SITC 2018). We welcomed 5,000 attendees; the society’s highest number to date. Also, SITC now has more than 2,400 society members – the highest number in our history, including researchers, clinicians, patient advocates and students. I would be remiss if I did not express my sincere appreciation to all of our funders who contributed to our success by supporting our many educational programs in 2018. The full list appears below. It has really been an extreme period of growth, both within our society as well as the field in general, and support from our partners has been instrumental.

It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as SITC President, for these last two years, and I look forward to the leadership of Mario Sznol, MD, as incoming President and to continuing to participate in society leadership as Immediate Past President for two more years. This position has allowed me to participate in many field-wide initiatives around both the science (immune biomarkers, SITC Cancer Immunotherapy Winter School, immune responsiveness, cellular therapies, the SITC textbook) and the people in it (women’s networking, young investigators, international outreach, among others). It has put me around the table with my academic colleagues, pharma and biotech collaborators, leaders of related societies and NCI and FDA colleagues to discuss how we can work together towards our shared goals of meaningful science and therapies for patients. All of this work has been enabled and supported by all of you, the staff of SITC and especially Tara Withington, CAE, SITC’s Executive Director.

There has been important progress in the last several years, and there is much more to do. SITC will be a vehicle supporting progress for years to come, and I look forward to working with you all to make it happen.

Sincerely,














Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD
SITC President

President's Message - November 2018

Dear Colleagues,

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) is now ready to welcome more than 4,000 attendees at our 33^rd Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs (SITC 2018) in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 7-11, 2018. The SITC 2018 team has worked for more than a year to present exemplary scientific and educational programs during our five-day annual conference that covers the breadth of basic, translational and clinical of cancer immunotherapy. The cutting-edge science being presented begins with the Industry Committee program on mechanisms of immune escape. The highly-attended primer serves as a refresher course for many professionals, while a new workshop on the microbiome in cancer therapy will lead into the meeting. These Pre-Conference Programs are Nov. 7-8.

The SITC Annual Meeting (from Nov. 9-11) is the premier venue for all aspects of immunotherapeutic research, and this year is no exception. There will be state-of-the-art immunotherapy clinical trial presentations that have the potential to change practice, and sessions will include T cell immunology, the tumor microenvironment and engineering the next-generation of immunotherapeutic agents. I wanted to remind you about the outstanding 2018 SITC Smalley Award Winner, Philip D. Greenberg, MD, (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center), who will discuss research on advancing cellular immunotherapies first thing Saturday morning. The Friday morning Keynote presentation from Nicholas P. Restifo, MD, (National Cancer Institute) will, no doubt, be excellent.

We must remember that all work and no play can make us quite dull indeed! The CheckPoints Party, the annual concert and gathering of the SITC family featuring our very own house band, is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in the Marriott Marquis Liberty Ballroom. Many of your favorite leaders in the field (now featuring a Nobel Prize awardee!) will play rock and blues hits. I’ll see you all there!

Sincerely,














Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD
SITC President

P.S. Because SITC expects our highest attendance yet for an Annual Meeting, I’m encouraging attendees to pick up your badge and materials the night before your first program, to avoid the early morning onsite registration lines. SITC 2018 onsite registration begins on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., at L St. Bridge of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Badge pick-up is also available from 6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and a brief period on Sunday morning.

President's Message - October 2018

Dear Colleagues,

On Oct. 3, I was thrilled to hear the news that my friend and colleague, James P. Allison, PhD, was honored with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, together with Tasuku Honjo, MD, PhD. As most of you know, Dr. Allison and Prof. Honjo (also both SITC Smalley Award recipients) are pioneers in the field of immune checkpoint blockade therapy, which has become a foundational component of cancer treatment across the globe. What a wonderful acknowledgement of the impact in our field to patients, and for the contributions of these two scientific world leaders.

Here in Pittsburgh, the sky is a bit grey, there is a cool breeze, and the trees are starting to change color. This can mean only one thing: the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) 33^rd Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs (SITC 2018) are coming soon!

Our society’s Annual Meeting is the perfect gathering place for early career scientists. This fall, SITC will give out 33 young investigator awards – four presidential and 29 abstract travel awards – honoring some of the brightest young minds in the field. This year’s recipients are below. At SITC 2018, in addition to the Workshop on Nutrition, Metabolism and the Microbiome in Cancer Therapy, there will be great opportunities for abstract author networking during poster hall presentations on Nov. 9 and 10, or in small group discussions during the Meet-the-Expert Lunch and Grant Writing Workshop. The Meet-the-Expert Lunch connects young investigators to leaders in cancer immunotherapy to discuss topics most relevant to their careers. SITC is expanding this in-person program into a series of webinars throughout the year. SITC will host the first webinar on “How to Survive in Academia.”

The young investigators of SITC Sparkathon Class of 2017, Teams TimIOs and METIOR Incubator, are preparing to present their project updates during the 33^rd Annual Meeting. I was happy to kick off proceedings for the 28 young investigators of SITC Sparkathon Class of 2018 during their retreat in Chicago, Sept. 12-14, 2018. The winning project from these early career scientists will be announced soon. Learn more about the 2018 Class’s project in The Node, a SITC booth dedicated to early career scientists during the 33^rd Annual meeting. You can support the SITC Sparkathon through a contribution to the Forward Fund.

Also upcoming, SITC will host a co-sponsored workshop with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Immune-modified Response Criteria in Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Trials. This free, innovative workshop, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, prior to the 33^rd Annual Meeting, is another step forward for SITC as we positively leverage relationships with organizations and governmental agencies to incite progress in the field. More details on this workshop are provided further below.

I am excited about a new education program from SITC early next year. The SITC Winter School, scheduled for Feb. 18-22, 2019, in Mesa, Ariz. This five-day program will teach core principles of the field and focus on multiple topics including biomarker technology, clinical trial design, grant writing and have discussion sessions. Click here to learn more about this important program and register.

In August, SITC launched a new series of online communities created exclusively for SITC members. These SITC Professional Interest Communities, including clinical and post-doctoral trainees, graduate students and international young investigators, allow members to discuss topics relevant to their research and in their careers, to build relationships with colleagues and solve hurdles in the field. Click here to learn more about the SITC Professional Interest Communities.

With all of these opportunities for young investigators, the future of the field is in a good place.

Sincerely,














Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD
SITC President

President's Message - September 2018

Dear Colleagues,

While I hope that you all have been enjoying a little slow down during this summer, I want you to know that the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) never sleeps! SITC’s membership has for the first time exceeded 2,000 members, and we are working to ensure our members’ voice is heard by policymakers in our nation’s capital throughout the year. During the past months, SITC has increased its efforts in the policy and advocacy realm. We have added staff dedicated to managing these complex interactions and continued to work with the consulting firm, Cornerstone Government Affairs, LLC, to support our viewpoints in Washington, D.C.

Recently, the SITC Board of Directors helped to define and expand the efforts of our society’s Policy and Advocacy Committee by adding three subcommittees. These subcommittees will conduct work and report on three distinct areas of the field: science and research, regulatory and quality.

This group has made great progress on a number of issues in the past year, including:

• Successfully advocating for an increase in funding for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE) in Fiscal Year 2019 (from $15 million to $20 million)
• SITC-proposed language accepted verbatim in a pair of reports to advocate on behalf of our members and apprise decision makers of field expert opinions on critical issues affecting all aspects of the cancer immunotherapy field, including:
• An FDA report on the need to develop standardized templates for reporting toxicities in cancer immunotherapy clinical trials (view SITC language, accepted in May 2018, here)
• A National Institutes of Health-National Cancer Institute (NIH-NCI) report on the need to prioritize research and education on the underlying mechanisms of cancer immunotherapy toxicities and training for young and mid-career investigators (view SITC language, accepted in June 2018, here)
• A July 2017 response letter to the Congress Healthcare Innovative Caucus (request for comment here) regarding value-based provider payment reform
• A June 2018 response letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the National Coverage Analysis for CAR T therapies

SITC also continues to strengthen relationships with partnering organizations.

SITC is pleased to partner with Friends of Cancer Research (FOCR) to address critical issues regarding the value of immunotherapy and immuno-oncology agents. Through this collaboration, SITC and FOCR will review current value models and provide guidance on redefining value frameworks for the unique aspects of cancer immunotherapy. This effort will ensure patients and healthcare professionals have the appropriate information to make informed treatment decisions and have access to high-quality treatment options.

SITC is working with the FDA to provide education to employees on critical aspects of cancer immunotherapy research while also collaborating strategically to positively affect the future of the field. We met with FDA leaders July 18 to discuss several initiatives of common interest and will return to the FDA campus on Sept. 17 to give FDA OCE Rounds. These visits will be regular events going forward to keep our interactions effective and timely.

Cancer immunotherapy has to evolve on all fronts to have the optimal impact on patients. The work of SITC’s policy committee and our FDA collaborations will address important aspects of the field that compliment all of the work you are all doing in your labs, clinics and offices.

Sincerely,














Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD
SITC President

President's Message - August 2018

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer immunotherapy education is important even in the summertime. The FDA continues to grant immunotherapeutic approvals in new disease states, as well as integrate tumor biomarker status into indications. The most recent examples of approvals include pembrolizumab for PD-L1-positive cervical cancer patients and combination nivolumab and ipilimumab for patients with MSI-H/dMMR-positive colorectal cancer.

Therefore, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) will soon begin the sixth year of its Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy™ (ACI) series. These regional education programs based in academic medical centers and in online education provide opportunities for healthcare professionals – particularly those in the community setting – to get up to date on immunotherapy and discuss patient management.  SITC will host 15 ACI programs throughout the United States and Canada during the 2018-19 series featuring disease-specific sessions on lung cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancers, genitourinary cancers and hematologic malignancies. These 4.5-hour programs are CME-, CNE- and CPE-certified programs presented by the local experts in tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy. Clinicians, students and patient advocates may attend for free. Note that registration is now open for the ACI in Madison, Wis. (Sept. 6, 2018) and Boston, Mass. (Sept. 27, 2018) (we’ll continue to announce future dates and locations). The Sept. 6 ACI will also be live streamed, so you can attend from wherever you are!

On July 17, SITC published the highly anticipated, “The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer consensus statement on immunotherapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),” the society’s sixth manuscript of the series, in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC), the society’s open access, peer-reviewed online journal. The guideline includes recommendations on treatment scheduling concerning the most recent U.S. FDA-approved immunotherapies, a discussion about late-breaking data from 2018, the use of predictive biomarkers including PD-L1 and tumor mutational burden and managing immune-related adverse events. A big thank you and congratulations to the SITC Cancer Immunotherapy Guidelines NSCLC Subcommittee, chaired by Roy Herbst, MD, PhD (Yale Cancer Center), and co-chaired by Julie Brahmer, MD (Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins), Ramaswamy Govindan, MD (Washington University School of Medicine), and Naiyer Rizvi, MD (Columbia University Medical Center), for this important contribution to the field.

SITC will host a one-hour, free webinar on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. EDT, featuring members of the NSCLC Subcommittee. This webinar will review the guidelines and provide a unique Q&A forum between participants and faculty.

Lastly, SITC is about to announce a new educational initiative that I am particularly excited about, the “2019 SITC Winter School.” Planned for February 2019 in Phoenix, Ariz., SITC Winter School will educate early career scientists and physicians about the core principles of cancer immunotherapy, biomarker technologies, clinical trial design, grant writing and more, over an intensive and interactive five-day program.

I hope that you all enjoy the rest of your summer.  It’s a great time to catch up on all things immunotherapy!

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD
SITC President

President's Message - July 2018

Dear Colleagues,

Let me begin by congratulating everyone who contributed to the exciting achievement of the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC), the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer's (SITC) open access, peer-reviewed online journal, on its first impact factor of 8.374!

As many of you know, an impact factor – a calculation of the number of citations a publication's articles received in a year by the total number of articles published – quickly communicates to prospective authors the reach and quality of research a publication possesses. The JITC impact factor is the next big step toward an even brighter future for our society's online publication.

Much of the credit goes to JITC Editor-in-Chief Pedro J. Romero, MD, and the many SITC member experts who serve as section editors and reviewers on the journals' Editorial Board. However, JITC would not be what it is today – or further, what it is becoming – without the contributions from the many authors who have submitted their field-changing research to JITC.

Now, five years after our society's launch of JITC, this achievement provides significant validation to the journal as a premier destination for cancer immunotherapy research. I encourage all prospective authors in our field to submit to JITC when considering a venue for your work.

Among the most valuable of JITC's publications are the consensus statements submitted as part of the SITC Cancer Immunotherapy Guidelines. These immunotherapy treatment recommendations play a critical role in educating oncologists and other members of the patient care team on current standards involving U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved cancer immunotherapy treatments for a growing list of disease states. SITC expanded its Cancer Immunotherapy Guidelines offerings in May when it updated its recommendations on cutaneous melanoma. A manuscript on non-small cell lung cancer is slated to publish in JITC next month.

We're also disseminating these guidelines broadly to increase access. This includes a new, interactive series of SITC Cancer Immunotherapy Guidelines Webinars. These live events will take place approximately two months after manuscript publication and will allow authors to go further in-depth about the treatment recommendations, answer questions and discuss any late-breaking advances in the field since publication.

The first SITC Cancer Immunotherapy Guidelines Webinar will take place Monday, July 30, 6–7 p.m. EDT, focusing on the recent update of the guidelines for cutaneous melanoma. Click here to register for this free opportunity.

The need for ongoing education for clinicians about the latest advancements in immunotherapy for cancer has never been greater. At the American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) 2018 Annual Meeting, SITC staff fielded numerous questions from attendees, and served as a resource to many visitors of our society's booth at ASCO 2018. If you would like to review highlights of the meeting, SITC published daily scientific reports from the ASCO Annual Meeting, log in to your SITC CONNECT account to access our staffreports from each day of the meeting.

In closing, as you enjoy a little lull in your scientific activities over the summer, and write up the results of your recent studies, I hope you will send those data to JITC, where the new 8.374 impact factor will assure great exposure to your colleagues.

Sincerely,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President

President's Message – June 2018

Dear Colleagues,

As summer begins, I am happy to share news about a number of SITC initiatives that our members are involved in, addressing important aspects of our field.

First, I would like to congratulate members of the SITC Immunoscore Validation Project – whose Steering Committee is Chaired by Past SITC President Bernard A. Fox, PhD – on the recent publication of its study's findings in The Lancet. Involving tissues banked from more than 3,500 patients and more than a dozen SITC member volunteers across 13 countries, the study showed that the Immunoscore measures of stage I-III colon cancer patients positively correlated with survival and time to recurrence. I highly recommend that you read this important publication.

Second, I would like to commend the work of the SITC Cancer Immune Responsiveness Task Force and Immune Biomarkers Committee for their effort in hosting a pair of SITC workshops earlier this month in San Francisco. More than 200 attendees contributed to discussion around the current major questions in our field which will lead directly to new initiatives for the society in these areas. Attendees also developed new collaborations to move the field forward. Stay tuned as these new initiatives are announced, and materials from these workshops become available to members and the general public later this month.

Third, I want to share the news that our highly anticipated Cancer Immunotherapy Guidelines for cutaneous melanoma update published on Wednesday! First published in 2013, these clinical guidelines serve to educate a clinical audience on a disease state that was among the first to achieve significant progress via cancer immunotherapy for patients. Thank you to the Cancer Immunotherapy Guidelines Cutaneous Melanoma Subcommittee for your major commitment to this effort! This melanoma manuscript is the first in our society's series of Cancer Immunotherapy Guidelines to receive an update. New guidelines in non-small cell lung cancer and head and neck cancers will publish this year in our society's Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC).

Another way that SITC seeks to improve our field's future is through the SITC Sparkathon. Young investigators can apply now to participate in the SITC Sparkathon Class of 2018. This team science opportunity, which will last 12-18 months, forges new collaborations among the field's brightest early career scientists as they seek to solve an existing obstacle. These scientists will receive valuable professional development from top business coaches and SITC leadership. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, June 18.

The inaugural SITC Sparkathon Class of 2017, teams TimIOs and METIOR Incubator, will present their projects during the 33rd Annual Meeting this November.

Very soon, our society members will elect a new Vice President in the upcoming annual election. From June 14–28, the 2018 SITC Election will include the Vice President position and three At-Large Director openings on the Board of Directors. Learn more about this year's candidates, who are also listed below, and please remember to vote (online voting begins June 14).

Finally, I am happy to share that current registration numbers confirm our expectations that SITC 2018 will be our society's most highly attended yet! Register now to attend SITC 2018 and secure your housing. Also, don't forget the deadline to submit regular abstracts, late-breaking abstract applications or applications to the Immune Escape program is 5 p.m. PDT on Aug. 1.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. this November!

Sincerely,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President

President’s Message – May 2018

Dear Colleagues,

The identification, standardization and validation of biomarkers will assist clinicians to identify the best cancer immunotherapies for patients and inform research scientists about the most critical areas of immunology for further investigation. Data from the last several years has shown the importance of checkpoint molecule expression, tumor mutation burden and CD8+ T cell infiltrate localization in tumors for patient outcomes, yet clinically validated, actionable biomarkers are not yet in hand. As many of you know, biomarker research has long been a research focus of mine and one reason I became a member of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), as SITC shares this passion to advance immune biomarker science. 

 

I am proud to have been chairing the SITC Immune Biomarkers Committee, which is working at the forefront of biomarker research. The committee convened in 2014 to review the state of the field and identify challenges and opportunities still facing the community. At the time, the committee was comprised of four working groups (WG) dedicated to the following topic areas:

• WG 1 – Immunologic Monitoring, Assay Standardization & Validation
• WG 2 – New Developments in Biomarker Assays & New Technologies
• WG 3 – Assessment of Immune Regulation & Modulation Systematically (High Throughput Approaches)
• WG 4 – Prediction of Clinical Outcome Based on Baseline Measures

These hard-working teams published five white papers in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC) – SITC's open-access, peer-reviewed online journal. Building on these efforts, the committee is ready to apply its members' expertise to shaping the future of the field.

The SITC Immune Biomarkers Committee is pleased to invite individuals from across academia, biotech, pharma, government and clinical research communities to our upcoming workshop, Immuno-Oncology Biomarkers: State of the Art, May 16 – 17, 2018, in San Francisco. This small and focused gathering will support cross-disciplinary cooperation across organizations to advance biomarker development, shape innovative new collaborations, and determine future projects of the committee in the coming years.

This Biomarkers Workshop takes place following two days of dynamic collaboration during the Cancer Immune Responsiveness Workshop (May 14 – 15, 2018), which will feature discussions on the role of host genetics and environmental modifiers in cancer biology, adaptive and innate immune mechanisms that initiate a therapeutic response, and the development of improved in vivo models for screening novel therapeutic strategies.

SITC is proud to organize and support meaningful, impactful collaborations involving participants from every expertise. These workshops are an excellent example of SITC's effort to better the field, and I look forward to seeing you in San Francisco!

Sincerely,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD SITC President

President’s Message – April 2018

Dear Colleagues,

I wish everyone a happy spring! The past 16 months as SITC President have been eventful, and I am especially focused on a topic important to me: the role of women in our field.

SITC 2018, scheduled for Nov. 7 – 11 in Washington, D.C., will be my second and final Annual Meeting as President before turning the role over to Mario Sznol's, MD, capable hands. The recent advances we've seen in our field are truly impressive. I look forward to the data presented at this year's Annual Meeting that highlight that progress.

In my tenure as SITC's first female president, I have worked to institute measures within SITC to promote and track the membership, volunteerism and society positions of women in the cancer immunotherapy field. During the SITC 2017 Membership Business Meeting, I shared several of the following statistics of current female involvement within the society:

SITC hasn't previously tracked gender data from members or meeting participants, so these figures are an important baseline by which we can measure our future progress. This information will help us identify gender gaps within our volunteer roles and program numbers, with a societal goal of reducing any gaps and providing equivalent opportunities in the future.

There are many women within SITC contributing in various leadership capacities – serving on the Board of Directors, as Section Editors in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC), as meeting organizers, and through participation on our committees. These women play a critical role in the future of SITC, and I am confident our female contingencies in both membership and participation numbers will grow. I am proud to have helped develop our first "Women in Cancer Immunotherapy" reception at the 2017 Annual Meeting.

More than 30 of my female colleagues joined me to discuss ways we can bring sharper focus to women's contributions in the field, ensuring there is balance between the genders in speaking and leadership roles. Interestingly, I find myself a member of two other similar groups. At my own institution, the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center has convened a Women's Task Force to address any gender issues among the female faculty. I am also pleased to participate in the BMS-led "Women in Oncology and Research" group that includes representation across many societies and institutions. Clearly, there is terrific energy and momentum for addressing the professional experiences of women in many areas.

I look forward to hosting a second reception during the 33rd Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs, this November at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., our new venue. Please stay tuned for the scheduled date and time.

Speaking of the Annual Meeting, this issue of the Immune Monitor is dedicated to our upcoming annual conference. Please read on to learn more about new offerings and recurrent meeting highlights. SITC 2018 registration, available to SITC members at a discounted rate, is now open to the general public.

SITC 2018 promises to be our society's best yet and I look forward to seeing the SITC family in Washington, D.C.!

Sincerely,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President

President’s Message – February 2018

Dear Colleagues,

As the field of cancer immunotherapy and tumor immunology has grown, so too has the critical need for both global scientific exchange and educational opportunities for a wide array of groups.

Education and scientific exchange is the cornerstone of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.  While the Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs and the Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy™ regional programs are well-known offerings, our society’s impact extends to many collaborative education programs as well.

SITC partners with other organizations around the world. These initiatives offer investigators opportunity for scientific exchange and networking, and provide high-quality education for advanced practice providers to learn current treatment strategies involving cancer immunotherapy.

In the past three years alone, SITC has supported more than 60 collaborative programs through connecting SITC member experts as speakers; SITC members’ direction on content development; organization and faculty selection of programs; marketing and promotion; financial support of educational programs; and access to SITC resources.

These are some highlights of upcoming collaborations involving SITC:

• 4th Forum on Immunotherapy and Translational Immunology of Cancer (FIT Cancer IV), a collaboration with the Spanish Group for Immuno-Biological Therapies in Cancer (GÉTICA) in Madrid, Spain, March 8-10
• Fifth Immunotherapy of Cancer Conference (iTOC5), a collaboration with the Cancer Drug Development Forum (CDDF) in Berlin, Germany, March 19-21
• Immuno-Oncology Young Investigators' Forum, a mentoring event in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Creative Educational Concepts, Inc. (CEC) in Houston, Texas, April 19-22
• Combination Cancer Immunotherapy: Expanding Clinical Success, a SITC session at the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas, May 5

Ultimately, all of these programs address the goals put forth in the SITC 2016-18 Strategic Plan:

• Collaboration: Cultivate meaningful relationships with key strategic partners
• Engagement: Create a network of cancer immunotherapy stakeholders, providing greater opportunities for engagement and interaction
• Education and Scientific Exchange: Serve as the leading resource for information and education on cancer immunotherapy
• Global Impact: Advance the science and application of cancer immunotherapy world-wide
• Science and Research: Challenge the thinking and seek the best research in the exploration and development of tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy

We’re looking forward to an additional 20+ educational programs in 2018. Our society has flourished because of our outstanding members. Thank you all for sharing your expertise and experience, dedication and leadership, which have allowed SITC to make strides towards making the word “cure” a reality for patients everywhere.

Best wishes,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President

President's Message – January 2018

Dear Colleagues,

This month, I wanted to update you all on some of the ways that the society fulfills its mission. As a reminder, the mission of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) is to improve cancer patient outcomes by advancing the science, development and application of cancer immunology and immunotherapy.

President's Message - December 2017

Dear Colleagues,

The past year has been one of significant scientific progress for the field of cancer immunotherapy and tumor immunology. Among the highlights:

• Pembrolizumab received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treating patients with MSI-H/dMMR-positive solid tumors, marking the first ever “tissue-agnostic” designation for any cancer therapeutic, defining disease based on biomarker status rather than tissue location
• CAR T cell therapies obtained initial FDA approvals for treating both DLBCL and B-ALL following very positive clinical trial results
• Cancer immunotherapies also continued to gain new indications by obtaining initial FDA approvals in hepatocellular carcinoma (nivolumab), Merkel Cell Carcinoma (avelumab), and gastric/GEJ cancers (pembrolizumab)
• Multiple cancer immunotherapeutics including nivolumab, pembrolizumab, durvalumab, avelumab, and atezolizumab became options for treating patients with bladder cancer

As we look ahead to 2018, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) will continue to create opportunities for collaboration and scientific exchange for our growing membership base and beyond. Today, I’d like to single out two inter-connected workshops SITC has planned for May 2018 on biomarkers and cancer immune responsiveness.

Ten years after its inception, the SITC Immune Biomarkers Task Force will lead a two-day workshop to discuss critical next steps in biomarker science and assay development. Session topics will include best practices and validation; biomarker identification; data and specimen sharing and much more.

SITC’s newly-formed Cancer Immune Responsiveness Task Force will host a two-day workshop on topics that include tumor evolution in the immune competent host and the resulting immune landscape; identification of common pathways that should be targeted to understand and increase immunogenicity among silent or “cold” cancers and more.

The Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs – which will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. in 2018 due to continued growth and excitement – will always be our society’s hallmark event. SITC hosts interim programs throughout the year to provide focused opportunities to move new developments and initiatives forward for improving cancer patient outcomes through the advancement of science and clinical application of cancer immunotherapy.

Both of the workshops mentioned will be open to the public. Stay tuned to SITC in the New Year for additional event information, including dates and location.

Sincerely,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President

President's Message - October 2017

Dear Colleagues,

I invite you to join the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) for our most anticipated event of the year, the 32^nd Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs from Nov. 8-12 in National Harbor, Md. As the largest conference dedicated to the field of cancer immunotherapy, the society has assembled an incredible roster of experts, offering researchers, clinicians, industry professionals and patient advocates the opportunity to hear the latest scientific findings in the most exciting area of cancer research and treatment.

Pre-Conference Programs: Nov. 8-9

The Pre-Conference Programs provide opportunities for attendees of all experience levels to learn the basics of cancer immunotherapy, explore updates on biomarkers and single cell techniques as they relate to our field, develop grant writing skills, and network. SITC will offer the following programs as a precursor to our Annual Meeting:

• Immuno-Oncology Biomarkers: Today’s Imperatives for Tomorrow’s Needs
• 2^nd World Immunotherapy Council Young Investigator Symposium
• Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy™
• Workshop on Single Cell Techniques in Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy
• Grant Writing Workshop

32^nd Annual Meeting: Nov. 10-12

Featuring three days of cutting-edge presentations attendees have come to expect from the society, the SITC 2017 Annual Meeting provides a multidisciplinary interactive environment focused on basic and translational cancer immunotherapy. Programming will be kicked off with highly anticipated keynote speeches. On Nov. 10, Stephan Grupp, MD, PhD will speak on “The CAR T Revolution in Leukemia.” The following day, Paul Sondel, MD, PhD, and the 2017 Richard V. Smalley, MD Memorial Award and Lectureship recipient, will deliver his speech on "Activation of Innate and Adaptive Immunity as an In Situ Cancer Vaccine.”

Also, do not miss this year’s Hot Topic Symposium, which closes out proceedings on Nov. 12. The Symposium, Advancing the Field: Can Physics and Mathematics Impact the Development of Tumor Immunotherapy?, will bring together leading authorities in tumor immunology, physics and mathematics to offer an overview of the top priorities in tumor immunotherapy and the latest advances in physical science that might impact further biologic understanding and therapeutic approaches for the field.

Social and Networking Activities

Be sure to attend the social and networking activities provided by SITC. These include activities for early career scientists, such as the Meet-the-Expert Lunch on Nov. 9 and evening networking event on Nov. 10. The poster receptions will take place in Prince George’s Exhibition Hall DE from 6:30 – 8 p.m. on Nov. 10-11. Also, plan to attend the State of SITC: Membership Business Meeting on Nov. 10, and the SITC 2017 Award Ceremony with receptions after presentations. And last, but certainly not least, don’t miss The CheckPoints, SITC’s very own house band the evening of Nov. 11.

I look forward to seeing many of you in National Harbor. For those unable to attend the conference, meeting updates, videos and slide decks will be posted on SITC Cancer Immunotherapy connectED, and meeting summaries will be published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer.

Best Wishes,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President

President's Message - September 2017

Dear Colleagues,

On Aug. 30, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tisagenlecleucel, a chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy directed against CD19, for certain pediatric and young adult patients with a form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). As the first gene therapy to receive FDA approval, this is a major breakthrough and represents the culmination of years of work from researchers and clinicians in the field of cancer immunotherapy.

Through educational opportunities and the promotion of collaboration among clinicians and scientists from around the world, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) serves as a driving force behind recent progress in cellular therapies. For example, abstract presentations and informational sessions highlighting the latest research on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, gene transfer technology and adoptive cellular therapies have been a mainstay in our meetings for years.

Key leaders in the field – including Carl June, MD; Steven A. Rosenberg, MD, PhD; and Michel Sadelain, MD – have used the platform of the SITC Annual Meeting to present their research. Dedicated sessions have covered topics addressing issues spanning basic science and clinical aspects of immune cell-based therapy, including: the engineering of signaling constructs and of vectors to increase the efficiency of gene transfer; the identification of target cells; optimization of culture growth factors, ways to detect the presence of cells and their longevity in vivo; as well as regulatory aspects of utilizing cellular therapies in the clinic.

Building on the excitement of the recent FDA approval, Stephan Grupp, MD, PhD will deliver a highly anticipated keynote address on the CAR T revolution in leukemia at the SITC 2017 Annual Meeting in National Harbor, Md. In addition, the final day of the program will feature a session on “Genetically Modified Cell Therapy” co-chaired by Carl H. June, MD; Marcela V. Maus, MD, PhD; and Helen E. Heslop, MD.

There is still so much more to come for our field. We look forward to seeing you all at SITC 2017 to learn about the next exciting breakthroughs in the field of cancer immunology and immunotherapy.

Best Wishes,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President

President's Message - August 2017

Dear Colleagues,

As the summer months progress, I am pleased to update you all about a number of activities the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) is undertaking to accelerate our commitment to supporting the next generation of young investigators, increasing funding for basic science, and in the process, creating a Washington, D.C. presence for the society.

Several SITC leaders and a patient advocates joined me as we partnered with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) to co-host a congressional briefing on July 19, 2017. The presentation, “Progress in Immunotherapy: Delivering Hope and Clinical Benefit to Cancer Patients” was the first ever congressional briefing dedicated to cancer immunotherapy. The presentation focused on building upon the successes of cancer immunotherapy, addressing the critical concerns facing our research, outlining ways to continue progress through increasing overall participation, and diversity in clinical trials. The importance of ongoing research was discussed, as well as the consequences of the proposed 20 percent cut in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding on our efforts. SITC has retained the services of Cornerstone Government Affairs, LLC, with Erik Fatemi serving as consultant, to assist SITC with specific policy related activities, focusing on increasing funding for immunotherapy, and raising awareness about SITC’s activities and contributions.

To further support the policy and advocacy efforts, Jacqueline Smith has joined SITC and will serve as Policy and Advocacy Manager in Washington, D.C. In addition to having worked for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jacqueline has advanced degrees with an emphasis on policy and oncology, and is a two-time stage III melanoma survivor who participated in the 2008 Schering-Plough PEG-Intron trial. Her current status of no evidence of disease, now many years since treatment, confirms that immunotherapy indeed saves lives. Please join me in welcoming Jacqueline to the SITC team.

And lastly, SITC held a bipartisan congressional visit with key staffers in D.C. on August 17, 2017. I was joined by Executive Director Tara Withington, Jacqueline Smith and Erik Fatemi as we discussed the positive impact National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding has had on research advancements in the field of cancer immunotherapy and how SITC can support future efforts. Stay tuned…and thank you for your continued support.


Best wishes,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President

President's Message - June 2017

Dear Colleagues,

As those who attended the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) 2017 Annual Meeting earlier this month can attest, the field of cancer immunotherapy continues to explode, with more than 80 immunotherapy educational sessions and abstract presentations over five days, and many poster presentations. Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a clinically beneficial option for many patients.

For more than 33 years, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) has been the leader in cancer immunotherapy – long before the world would see the impact this treatment modality has made in the fight against cancer. The society’s Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs (SITC 2017) is the largest meeting dedicated solely to the field. This premier conference brings together leading cancer immunotherapy experts from around the world. SITC 2017 promises unparalleled cutting-edge research and networking opportunities. Register today for SITC 2017, scheduled on Nov. 8-12.   You can look forward to five days of state of the science presentations at the SITC annual meeting this fall, where each presentation and poster revolves around cancer immunotherapy.

SITC has always strongly supported the growth and development of young investigators, as the future of cancer immunotherapy is rooted in research and education. Take a look at these opportunities designed to ensure that talented, innovative professionals continue to be attracted to careers in this treatment modality.

Get involved and share these opportunities with a young investigator in your network.

• Submit an abstract to the SITC 32^nd Annual Meeting – Aug. 1 deadline
• Participate in Early Career Scientist activities at the SITC 32^nd Annual Meeting
  • Meet-the-Expert Lunch
  • Grant Writing Workshop
  • Networking/Social Gatherings
• Apply for one of 32 SITC Young Investigator Awards
• Become a Scientist-in-Training/Student SITC member
• Follow the activities of the SITC Sparkathon
• Learn about SITC Fellowships
• Learn about the World Immunotherapy Council Young Investigators Symposium

Cancer immunotherapy saves lives and is forever changing what it means to have cancer. Early career scientists provide critical support in the research and innovation in this evolving field.

Thank you for your continued support.


Best wishes,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President

President's Message - May 2017

Dear Colleagues,

In recognition of June as Cancer Immunotherapy Month organized by our colleagues at the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) celebrates the numerous advances and positive steps taken in moving the field forward. We applaud all of the researchers, practitioners and advocates who have demonstrated an unwavering devotion to improving outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.

While there is still much work to be done, I invite you to celebrate with SITC in Chicago and join us for events surrounding the ASCO Annual Meeting:

• ASCO/SITC Pre-Annual Meeting Seminar: How to Integrate Cancer Immunotherapy into Your Clinical Practice, Thursday, June 1 and Friday, June 2
• Annual SITC Fundraiser at House of Blues Chicago with The CheckPoints, recognizing the advances made in cancer immunotherapy research, Sunday, June 4 at 8 p.m.
• SITC exhibiting at ASCO Annual Meeting – Booth 2015, Friday, June 2-Monday, June 5

Another event taking place next month is White Out Cancer Day on June 16. We ask those of you who have a SITC Cure t-shirt to take a selfie and tweet at the society (@sitcancer) using the official hashtag #WearWhite or email the photo to communication@sitcancer.org. Show your support on the specific day, or any day during June. If you do not yet own a Cure t-shirt, you can order one here.

As the field continues to grow and expand, a major priority of the society is to support and help develop the next generation of leaders. If you are an early career scientist looking for a unique and amazing new team-based research (and business development) opportunity to help the field, apply now to the SITC Sparkathon. Participants will meet on Aug. 28-29, for a two-day retreat in a “Technology Hackathon” meets “Shark Tank” format to explore the hurdles and challenges facing the field of cancer immunotherapy. Applications are accepted until June 16, so apply soon.

Finally, the society is excited to publish its first textbook, Cancer Immunotherapy Principles and Practice. The SITC textbook, an authoritative reference presenting the history, supporting science and mechanisms as well as the current state of cancer immunotherapy, is now available for pre-order. SITC members are eligible to receive up to a 25 percent discount and free shipping. Login to your SITC CONNECT account for more details including the promo code, or stop by SITC’s exhibit booth #2015 while in Chicago.

Thank you for your continued support of the cancer immunotherapy field.


Best wishes,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President

President's Message - April 2017

 Dear Colleagues,

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) on Monday, May 1 will launch SITC Cancer Immunotherapy connectED, its new online education tool for the greater cancer immunotherapy field. This education portal, part of SITC Cancer Immunotherapy CONNECT, provides educational resources and activities regarding current advances in cancer immunotherapy organized by stakeholder groups (patients, clinicians and researchers).

With the recent explosion of information related to cancer immunotherapy, there is a critical need for an unbiased educational resource destination where everyone can find the information they need, when they need it. SITC connectED will shape how we learn about cancer immunotherapy.

Utilizing a personalized learning system, SITC connectED identifies and delivers resources customized to each individual user. This portal highlights recent advances in the cancer immunotherapy field by providing educational activities using content from SITC and partner educational programs. SITC connectED bridges knowledge gaps by providing online educational opportunities in a convenient and easy to use platform.

Through SITC connectED, clinicians and patients can stay up-to-date on the most novel clinical applications of immunotherapy. Educational materials from live events will also be featured, allowing users to stay at the forefront of research in the immunotherapy field.

SITC connectED provides opportunities for medical professionals to earn continuing education credits (CME, CNE and CPE) and apply new concepts to clinical scenarios through engaging practice activities. Users will be able to utilize robust communication tools to share and collaborate with others in SITC CONNECT communities.

SITC connectED curates a variety of learning activities, including online classes, videos and webinars from world-renowned leaders in the field of cancer immunotherapy. This education portal will also provide opportunities for patients, caregivers and advocates to learn new information about the use of cancer immunotherapy to treat specific disease states.

Watch for an email on Monday providing a link to SITC connectED. I implore you all to experience this innovative learning portal.

Best wishes,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President