Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer to Host Unique 2-Day Workshop Focused on Interrogating the Tumor-Specific Surfaceome for Immune Targeting

MILWAUKEE, Dec. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) will host an innovative workshop on April 23–24, 2020, in San Diego, which will focus on the identification and biology of cancer cell surface molecules, and implications for cancer immunotherapy drug delivery and targeting.

The SITC Surfaceome Workshop is geared toward academic and industrial researchers from a variety of fields including medical oncology; bioinformatics; cancer biology; genetics/epigenetics and immunology, among others. Organized by prominent members of the immuno-oncology community, including Samir M. Hanash, MD, PhD, from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Avery D. Posey Jr., PhD, from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, the workshop will include oral presentations by leading experts in the field, including a keynote by Carl H. June, MD, from the University of Pennsylvania.

"Immunotherapies targeted to tumor cells or the tumor microenvironment, such as bispecific molecules, antibody-drug conjugates, and genetically-engineered lymphocytes, show great promise. Moreover, the technologies to create and develop these treatments are advancing rapidly," said SITC President Mario Sznol, MD. "We initiated this conference to address a potential limitation for application of these novel approaches to a broad group of patients, which is the identification and understanding of tumor-specific cell surface targets."

The program will aim to define the cancer cell surfaceome, describe techniques used to investigate it, and summarize methods to evaluate the normal tissue expression of identified tumor cell surface targets. Discussions will also focus on the application and development of immunotherapies and other cancer therapies for cancer cell surface targets.

This workshop will also provide an intimate opportunity for attendees to discuss their work with experts in the field, develop collaborations and learn about novel studies of the tumor cell surfaceome. Starting in January, individuals are encouraged to submit an abstract for an opportunity to present their research; a select number of oral abstract presentation slots will be available. Those abstracts not selected for oral presentation will also have the opportunity to present as a poster. Abstract submission is open to anyone working in this field. Encore presentations are welcome. Abstract submissions are due by February 28, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. PST.

The SITC Surfaceome Workshop will take place on April 23–24, 2020, at the Hotel Republic San Diego. Registration rates, criteria for abstract submissions and program schedule are available on SITC Cancer Immunotherapy CONNECT.

About SITC
Established in 1984, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) is a nonprofit organization of medical professionals dedicated to improving cancer patient outcomes by advancing the development, science and application of cancer immunotherapy and tumor immunology. SITC is comprised of influential basic and translational scientists, practitioners, health care professionals, government leaders and industry professionals around the globe. Through educational initiatives that foster scientific exchange and collaboration among leaders in the field, SITC aims to one day make the word "cure" a reality for cancer patients everywhere. Learn more about SITC, our educational offerings and other resources at sitcancer.org and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

SOURCE Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer