A Message from the President

Dear Colleagues,

One of the pillars of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) Strategic Plan is to “advance the science globally.” For more than 31 years, SITC has collaborated with international partners to further the field and application of cancer immunotherapy worldwide.

See what SITC has been up to around the globe:

SITC Members and International Advisory Committee
SITC recently formed the International Advisory Committee charged with building relationships with international cancer immunotherapy organizations, with the aim of providing collaborative international SITC educational activities to further stimulate immunotherapy research and global membership.

International Educational Collaborations
Already in 2017, SITC has reached more than 1,900 people internationally through collaborative educational programs. SITC continues to play an important role as the educational partner in the Immunotherapy of Cancer Conference (ITOC) series, which was presented by the Cancer Drug Development Forum (CDDF).

World Immunotherapy Council
SITC and the World Immunotherapy Council (WIC) will host the 2^nd World Immunotherapy Council Young Investigator Symposium during SITC’s 32^nd Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs on Nov. 8, 2017. The program will provide the opportunity for young scientists and future leaders throughout the world to engage in scientific exchange to facilitate development and global dissemination of cancer immunotherapies. Learn more.

SITC Cancer Immunotherapy CONNECT and SITC Cancer Immunotherapy connectED
SITC bridges geographical distances through technology and develops targeted education to advance cancer immunotherapy. Through SITC CONNECT and SITC connectED, users around the world access the latest news, research and conversation through a community platform centered on cancer immunotherapy.

SITC Collaborations and Partnerships
Collaboration has been integral to SITC’s success as the source and resource for all things related to cancer immunotherapy. SITC works with global partners to further the field worldwide. Learn more.

Journal of ImmunoTherapy of Cancer
The Journal of ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC) is an exceptional international journal exemplified by its 40 international editors and high global readership. Nearly half of the monthly visitors to JITC are from outside the U.S. Learn more.

SITC will continue to work with and address the concerns of our international members and collaborators around the globe to drive the field of cancer immunotherapy into the future. Thank you for your continued support.

Best wishes,

Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD

SITC President

Education

1 WEEK LEFT TO SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT OR APPLICATION TO SITC 2017

By Aug. 1, 2017, submissions are due for the following:

• Abstract – Submit your abstract for a chance to present your work at the SITC 32^nd Annual Meeting; submission is free to members and nonmemembers.
• Application for Late-Breaking Abstract – Complete an application for a chance to submit a late-breaking abstract during the submission process, Aug. 25 – Sept. 14
• Application for Immuno-Oncology Biomarkers Pre-Conference Program – Submit an application to be considered for an oral presentation spot in the Immuno-Oncology Biomarkers: Today’s Imperatives for Tomorrow’s Needs pre-conference program

Did you know? SITC early career members who submit an abstract to SITC 2017 as both primary and presenting author are eligible for one of 32 SITC Young Investigator Awards. Join SITC, renew your membership, or check your current membership status to be considered for these prestigious awards.*

*Additional eligibility requirements apply. Learn more.

32^ND ANNUAL MEETING HOT TOPIC ANNOUNCED

Advancing the Field: Can Physics and Mathematics Impact the Development of Tumor Immunotherapy?

Nov. 12, 2017 • 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The SITC 2017 Hot Topic session will highlight the top priorities in tumor immunotherapy and the latest advances in physical science that might impact further drug development and biologic understanding for the field. Along with identifying and discussing the major areas for convergence, participants will have an opportunity to influence further integration among experts in these disciplines to influence more rapid development of tumor immunotherapy for patients with cancer. Registration for the Hot Topic session is included in Annual Meeting registration. Register now.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SITC SPARKATHON PARTICIPANTS

After a competitive application and review process, 29 outstanding emerging leaders have been selected to participate in the inaugural SITC Sparkathon. Participants will convene later this summer to develop projects aimed at solving critical hurdles facing the field of cancer immunotherapy.

Congratulations to the inaugural SITC Sparkathon class!

UPCOMING SITC EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy™

Presented by the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer in collaboration with the American Academy of Emergency Physicians and the Association of Community Cancer Centers

Aug. 4, 2017 • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Aug. 12, 2017 • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Aug. 12, 2017 • Online Webinar
Sept. 14, 2017 • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sept. 16, 2017 • New Haven, Connecticut
Oct. 5, 2017 • Boston, Massachusetts
Oct. 7, 2017 • Washington, D.C.
At these introductory cancer immunotherapy programs, attendees will learn how to integrate immunotherapy into clinical practice, to manage adverse events, and to overcome reimbursement barriers to implementing immunotherapy. Advance registration ends this Friday, July 28 for the Philadelphia program and next Friday, Aug. 4 for the Milwaukee program. SITC members receive discounted registration rates. Learn more and register, or tell your colleagues!

Primer on Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy

Presented by Weill Cornell Medicine in collaboration with the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer

Sept. 21, 2017, 8:15 a.m. – noon • New York, New York
This CME-certified portion of the International Conference on Immunotherapy Radiotherapy Combinations provides a basis for understanding the mechanisms of action of immunotherapy agents, the current applications of immunotherapy treatments in clinical practice, and the potential upcoming treatment applications in development. Registration for the Primer is included in the registration for the full conference. Learn more and register.

Primer on Tumor Immunology for Radiation Oncologists

Presented by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in collaboration with the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer and held during ASTRO’s 59^th Annual Meeting

Sept. 24, 2017, 1:15 – 1:45 p.m. • San Diego, California
Learn more and register.

Clinical Implications of New Findings on the Immunogenic Effects of Radiation

Presented by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in collaboration with the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer and held during ASTRO’s 59^th Annual Meeting

Sept. 24, 2017, 4:45 – 6:15 p.m. • San Diego, California
Learn more and register.

CSCO-CAHON-SITC Joint Symposium in Immuno-Oncology

Presented by the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology in collaboration with the Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer

Sept. 27, 2017, 2:30 – 4:10 p.m. • Xiamen, China
This session will be held during the 20^th Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology. Learn more and register.

 Society

NOW HIRING – SITC SEEKS FULL-TIME MEDICAL WRITER WITH EXPERTISE IN IMMUNOLOGY AND/OR ONCOLOGY

SITC is looking for a full-time Medical Writer to join our team. In this position, you will be working on some of the society’s most innovative and scientifically important projects from concept to completion. You will also have the chance to work closely with many of the top luminaries in the field. If you or someone you know is interested, view the full job description and apply, or forward the information to a qualified candidate in your network.

NETWORK IN SITC CONNECT OPEN FORUM: POST A COMMENT!

SITC Cancer Immunotherapy CONNECT is the source and resource for all things related to cancer immunotherapy. Network at a different level and stay connected year round. Check out these trending discussions taking place in the Open Forum:

Topic: Autoimmune and immunotherapy

“Growing evidence suggests that patients who develop autoimmune side effects with immunotherapy have better response. Wonder if patients who have autoimmune disorders prior to treatment might have better response as well and/or require lower doses?

There is not much data in this population because they are usually excluded from the studies.”

– Jane Gutkovich

Topic: Decadron prior to starting checkpoint inhibitor therapy

“We have a patient with multiple brain metastases from melanoma beginning to develop symptoms (mental slowing and right facial droop) as we try to get him precerted for checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Any thoughts/anecdotes/data about how much if any decadron can be given without blunting therapeutic effect of checkpoint inhibitors?”

– David H. Lawson, MD

Science, Research & Publications

HIGHLIGHTS OF SITC’s 31^st ANNUAL MEETING PUBLISHED IN JITC

This month, the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC) published the official meeting report from SITC’s 31^st Annual Meeting. The meeting brought together more than 2,700 attendees from 35 countries to listen to and discuss the latest developments in cancer immunotherapy. This report summarizes presentations on emerging clinical and preclinical immunotherapy data, the tumor microenvironment, combination immunotherapy, challenges and opportunities in the field of cancer immunotherapy, and much more. Read the report here.