Workshop on Challenges, Insights, and Future Directions for Mouse and Humanized Models in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy

November 10, 2016
Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center

Organizers

Marcus Bosenberg, PhD – Yale Cancer Center
A. Karolina Palucka, MD, PhD – The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine
Andrew Zloza, MD, PhD – Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Program Purpose

As the field of cancer immunotherapy continues to expand, it is important to address how models can best inform the future of immune drug development and aid us in understanding the mechanisms underlying anti-tumor immune responses. This workshop will provide a comprehensive discussion to address current strengths and weaknesses of a variety of models, approaches towards improving the predictive value of mouse models, and advances in cancer modeling that are anticipated in the near future. The program will begin with an introduction and overview of the most common immune competent (mouse-in-mouse) and human xenograft (humanized mouse) models used in cancer immunology and immunotherapy research. A special focus will be placed on how to accurately model the tumor immune microenvironment. Further, the program will discuss the use of models in the evaluation of immune therapies, specifically focusing on immune checkpoint inhibitors and combinations of small molecule inhibitors. Lastly, the workshop will conclude with an open discussion regarding future directions for the development and use of cancer immune models.

Intended Audience

The intended audience for this annual, one-day program includes basic scientists and clinical investigators from academic institutions, industry and regulatory agencies. Additional audiences benefiting from this program include clinicians, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows involved in cancer research and its translation into clinical practice.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this meeting, participants are now able to:

Examine challenges, insights, and future directions for mouse and humanized models in cancer immunology and immunotherapy

Analyze approaches, strengths, and weaknesses of current mouse models of cancer immunology involving a fully immune-competent host (mouse-in-mouse models)

Review current models of cancer that involve engraftment of human tissue and reconstitution of human immune cells in an immunodeficient mouse host (humanized mouse models)

For information on continuing medical education credits available through SITC's Workshop on Challenges, Insights, and Future Directions for Mouse and Humanized Models in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, please visit our Continuing Education Credit page.

The SITC Workshop on Challenges, Insights, and Future Directions for Mouse and Humanized Models in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy is supported in part by grants from AbbVie; AstraZeneca; Charles River; Merck & Co., Inc.; and Pfizer, Inc.

Americans with Disabilities Act
Event staff will be glad to assist you with any special needs (i.e., physical, dietary, etc.). Please contact SITC prior to the live event at +1 414-271-2456.