The Sentinel

THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE SOCIETY FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER (SITC).

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Letter From the Editor- September


Hello JITC Readers,

For many of us, this edition of the digest coincides with the beginning of the academic year. As we look ahead, you can also take some time to reacquaint yourself with papers from the JITC archive in this month’s special feature. If you are seeking more contemporary recommendations, be sure to browse the monthly JITC's Reading List for selections by our editors of exciting research from other journals. Our colleagues in academia might find these resources useful to round out the reading lists in their syllabi.
 
Even if you left the classroom long ago, there is always more to learn in the immunotherapy field. The papers selected for this month’s digest emphasize how new insights may be found in familiar pathways or strategies as our field continues to advance.
 
Two papers provide surprising insights into mechanisms of anti-tumor efficacy for familiar families of agents. Casey R Ager and colleagues reveal several novel mechanisms of myeloid reprogramming induced by cyclic dinucleotides, revealing STING signaling as a potential target to potentiate checkpoint blockade in immunologically cold tumors. Pu Sun et al show that PI3K inhibitors modulate T cell metabolism as well as suppressive myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment, identifying unappreciated immune mechanisms of action.
 
Another strategy to target myeloid suppressive cells is described by David G DeNardo and colleagues, who explain the preclinical rationale and study design for an ongoing phase I/II trial of a first-in-class CD11b modulator for solid tumors.
 
Finally, Michael J Wagner et al provide the first prospective trial data for combination ipilimumab and nivolumab immunotherapy for the rare tumor angiosarcoma.
 
Whether you are an early-career trainee or an emeritus, or at any other stage, I wish everyone a safe and smooth September.
 
Best,

Pedro J. Romero, MD
Editor-in-Chief, Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer

To view the entire April 2021 JITC Digest, please click here