A Message from the President

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

Education

SITC 2017 HOUSING FILLING FAST

Hotel rooms are filling quickly so we encourage you to book your hotel room now if you would like to stay in the SITC room block. Registration to a SITC 2017 program is required before you can reserve a hotel room in the SITC room block. Join SITC or renew your membership to receive instant savings on your registration – a value of up to 20 percent.

Register for the 32^nd Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs on the conference website. Program descriptions and detailed schedules are available on these program webpages:

• 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 & Pre-Conference Programs
  
  

SITC 2017 MOBILE APP IS COMING SOON

Your personal guide to the 32^nd Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs will be released and available to you for download on September 27, 2017 in the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). SITC’s newly redesigned app interface puts you in full control of your meeting experience with features that include the full schedule, abstract titles, interactive exhibit hall map and more.

SUBMIT ABSTRACTS FOR ORAL & POSTER PRESENTATIONS IN ITALY

Immunotherapy Bridge 2017

Presented by Fondazione Melanoma Onlus in collaboration with the IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale National Cancer Institute, Sidra Medical and Research Center, the Italian Association of Medical Oncology, and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer

Immunotherapy Bridge is currently accepting submission of abstracts for the presentation of oral communications and posters focusing on clinical application of immunotherapy at the next meeting held in Naples, Italy from November 29-30, 2017. The abstract submission deadline is September 24, 2017.

New this year, SITC is collaborating on a joint session at Immunotherapy Bridge on “Evolving Topics in Cancer Immunotherapy.” Learn more about the abstract submission and SITC session here.

Science, Research & Publications

IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR BLADDER CANCER: NEW CONSENSUS RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLISHED IN JITC

The latest publication in the SITC Cancer Immunotherapy Guidelines (CIG) series, published this month in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC), is "The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer consensus statement on immunotherapy for the treatment of bladder carcinoma." With the approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat patients with platinum-resistant metastatic urothelial carcinoma, this consensus statement addresses patient selection, and choice and sequencing of approved immunotherapies. These recommendations – a product of collaboration between cancer immunotherapists and bladder cancer experts – provide expert guidance on the optimal use of immunotherapy to treat patients with bladder cancer. Access the guidelines here.

CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY GUIDELINES FOR PROSTATE CARCINOMA: POCKET GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE

SITC is pleased to offer a convenient pocket-sized summary of “The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer consensus statement on immunotherapy for the treatment of prostate carcinoma,” published in full in JITC. The pocket guide can be purchased in print and digital versions from the Guideline Central store. Access key information to help implement cancer immunotherapy in your practice.

Purchase your print and/or digital pocket guide today.