September 2016 – In this Issue

Education | Society | Forward Fund | Science & Research
Membership | Publications | Policy

A Message from the President

Dear Colleagues,

SITC’s 31^st Annual Meeting & Associated Programs – just six weeks away – is packed with cutting-edge data presented by experts in the field. Of particular interest to many is the Value of Cancer Immunotherapy Summit scheduled on Sunday morning, November 13, 2016.

This year’s summit is being organized in collaboration with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) with input from ASCO past president Peter Yu, MD, FACP, FASCO, Lowell Schnipper, MD, FASCO, Michael Atkins, MD and myself. We will discuss the issues of value in cancer care as it relates specifically to new cancer immunotherapy agents and regimens. The summit will bring several fresh perspectives to the table, including academic physicians, patient advocates, regulatory agencies and third party payors. In addition to articulating the unique features of tumor immunotherapy and the value proposition for this form of treatment, the summit is expected to result in a referendum on future directions and priorities for better defining the full value of tumor immunotherapy for patients with cancer.

Immunotherapy represents a novel paradigm of cancer treatment that requires unique considerations in the assessment of the real value of this therapy. Due to rising healthcare costs and renewed efforts to address access to effective treatments, there has been a mandate to determine the true value of cancer immunotherapy. This year’s summit will also be a good time to engage the full SITC membership in this important national dialogue.

This is the second year that SITC is assembling a forum to address the value of cancer immunotherapy. SITC led the way in 2015 when it brought a diverse group of experts together and hosted the first value summit specifically dedicated to cancer immunotherapy. Previous reports and value frameworks centered on the value of cancer care have not taken into consideration the unique characteristics of cancer immunotherapies. The success of this program will likely lead to further discussion as the field of cancer immunotherapy evolves.

Please join us for these informative sessions:

Session I: Current Landscape of Cancer Therapy Value Models, Economic Outcomes, and the Patient Perspective

Session II: Perspectives on the Value of Cancer Immunotherapy

I want to thank you for your continued commitment to the field and I look forward to seeing you in November at SITC 2016.

Best Regards,

Howard L. Kaufman, MD, FACS
SITC President

Education

Highlighting Newest Cancer Immunotherapy Agents in Development

Fourteen novel monotherapies and combination therapies will be featured in SITC’s aptly named “New Cancer Immunotherapy Agents in Development” program in rapid-fire style on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The fourteen highly anticipated presentation titles are available now on the program schedule!

Registrants will learn about the cutting-edge agents in the field and have the opportunity to participate in an interactive panel discussion on strategic considerations of combinations and biomarkers in current and future agents.

New this Year! Receive Multi-Program Discount

Register for the 31^st Annual Meeting and save 10% on your registration for one of the following programs: New Cancer Immunotherapy Agents in Development, Workshop or Primer. Although you may register for each of the programs listed, discount is limited to one program and is not applicable with the Annual Meeting one-day only rate.

SITC 2016 is Dedicated to the Memory of Holbrook Edwin Kidd Kohrt, MD, PhD (1977-2016)

Dr. Kohrt had a significant impact on the field of tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy. He was committed to the mission of SITC and brought considerable scientific insight and incredible energy to every project. Dr. Kohrt was actively involved in the development of SITC’s 31^st Annual Meeting as an Organizer and session Co-Chair up until the time of his passing. As such, this year’s meeting will contain a fitting tribute to his memory and many contributions to the field on Friday, November 11 at 7:35 a.m.

Regular Abstract Titles Available Now for SITC 2016

Download the SITC 2016 mobile app to view the regular abstract titles, start setting your personal conference itinerary, browse speakers, bookmark exhibits you want to visit and more!

Search for SITC 2016 on your mobile device in the:

• App Store (iOS)
• Google Play (Android)

After it downloads, open the app and select "Create Account" to get started.

Late-Breaking Abstract titles will be available in early October. Other important dates are as follows:

• November 8, 2016 Embargo Date (for Regular and Late-Breaking Abstracts)
• November 8, 2016 Publish Date (Regular Abstracts ONLY)
• December 8, 2016 Publish Date (Late-Breaking Abstracts ONLY)
  

Registration Closing Soon - Cancer Immunotherapy 101

October 6 and 7 mark the end of online registration for the Portland, OR and Charlottesville, VA programs.

• Portland, OR – Thursday, October 13, 2016
• Charlottesville, VA – Friday, October 14, 2016

Please share this important program with colleagues in your community who do not currently use immunotherapy in their clinical practice.

Nearly 100% of survey respondents from other programs in the series this year would recommend attending. These programs are specifically designed for oncologists, registered nurses, pharmacists and other cancer care team members to learn about additional cancer treatment options that may offer new hope to patients, so please spread the word!

Society

Wanted: Bass Player to Join The Checkpoints Band

Last call for bass players who can play music styles ranging from the blues to rock who are interested in joining The CheckPoints Band! The selected individual would be expected to learn a set list of around 40 cover songs. Candidates must be able to attend the SITC and ASCO Annual Meetings, as well as occasional additional performance and rehearsal times. Fun personality required. Interested parties please contact:

Thomas F. Gajewski, MD, PhD
University of Chicago
tgajewsk@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu

See what we are all about.

Forward Fund

SITC’S Cancer Immunotherapy Sparkathon
Ignites Innovation!

SITC’s Sparkathon – Emerging Leaders, Igniting Innovation – is an initiative that is cool, inventive and an exciting opportunity for early career professionals looking for ways to contribute to the larger priorities for the field and society. Through an application process, a group of 30 emerging leaders will explore the critical hurdles that have been challenging the cancer immunotherapy field for years. Once projects have been determined, teams will embark on formulating plans to solve these major issues. Participants will have access to leadership development experts to help develop the proposals to ensure the potential for successful implementation. Projects will be presented to a panel of SITC leaders who will select the top proposals for implementation.

Matching Donation Challenge

Making the Sparkathon even more thrilling is how it is funded. All donations made to SITC’s Forward Fund will be doubled by an anonymous foundation. SITC has been challenged to raise $300,000 over the next two years ($150,000 per year).

Now it is time for you to ignite the Sparkathon! Donate by November 1, 2016 and you will be recognized at SITC 2016 with a special “Match the Spark” ribbon. Donate by October 15, 2016 and be recognized as a donor to the Matching Donation Challenge on signage at this year’s meeting.

If SITC reaches the goal, it means $600,000 will help create a unique opportunity for SITC’s early career professionals to tackle the biggest hurdles in the field challenging the future of cancer immunotherapy. Consider making a pledge or contribution to the Forward Fund – make twice the impact and a lasting difference for the future of cancer immunotherapy.

DONATE NOW

As a 501 (c) (3) organization, donations made to SITC are tax deductible as a charitable contribution to the extent allowed by law.

Science & Research

Oncology Nurses on the Frontlines of Immunotherapy Care

SITC recently published an article in Oncology Nursing News, highlighting the vital role of nurses within the cancer care team. As SITC is dedicated to providing resources to all stakeholders within the field of cancer immunotherapy, this article spotlights benefits for nurse members and CNE-accredited educational opportunities. Read the article to learn more here.

Do you know a great oncology nurse who would benefit from joining SITC? Click here to Connect-a-Colleague.

Membership

SITC Election

Thank you to all those who voted in the election! Results will be shared through email on October 14, 2016.

 

State of SITC: Membership Business Meeting –
You are Invited!

Join your fellow colleagues and meeting attendees for the State of SITC: Membership Business Meeting Thursday, November 10, 2016, 5:30 — 6:30 p.m. at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. The meeting will feature updates on the current activities of the society, a summary of the year in review and highlights of exciting initiatives moving forward.

Immediately following, join other SITC 2016 attendees for the Presidential Reception, the official kickoff event of SITC's 31^st Annual Meeting. This event is free of charge to anyone registered for the Annual Meeting, Workshop or Primer.

 Champions Initiative

On behalf of the Membership Committee, we would like to welcome the following new Champions!

• Timothy Bullock, PhD — University of Virginia
• Cliona M. Rooney, PhD — Baylor College of Medicine
• Laura Wood, RN, MSN, OCN — Cleveland Clinic
• Hossein Borghaei, MS, DO — Fox Chase Cancer Center
• Dmitry I. Gabrilovich, MD, PhD — University of Pennsylvania
• Drew M. Pardoll MD, PhD — Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Steven C. Katz, MD, FACS — Roger Williams Medical Center

The SITC Membership Committee implemented the SITC Champions initiative to encourage two-way communication between the society and institutions throughout the world. The goal of the SITC Champions program is to address the need for community education about immunotherapy, as well as disseminate information and build awareness for SITC’s educational programming and initiatives to institutions and companies across the globe.

To learn more about becoming a SITC Champion and the benefits included, please contact contact the SITC Executive Office at info@sitcancer.org or 1-414-271-2456.

Publications

JITC – The Resource for Cutting-Edge Science in the Field

Publish in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC), SITC's official open access, peer-reviewed journal. SITC members receive waived article processing charges for papers accepted through 2016.

Read the articles in the September issue.

Policy

Cancer Moonshot Initiative Update —
Working Group Recommendations

On September 7, 2016, during the 167^th Meeting of the National Cancer Advisory Board, representatives of the Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel presented 10 recommendations to the board aimed to accelerate progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care within five years:

1. Establish a network for direct patient involvement
2. Create a clinical trials network devoted exclusively to immunotherapy
3. Develop ways to overcome resistance to therapy
4. Build a national cancer data ecosystem
5. Intensify research on the major drivers of childhood cancers
6. Minimize cancer treatment's debilitating side effects
7. Expand use of proven prevention and early detection strategies
8. Mine past patient data to predict future patient outcomes
9. Develop a 3D cancer atlas
10. Develop new cancer technologies

Learn more about the Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon panel where SITC representatives participated in these transformative research recommendations. Participate in the conversation via Twitter by using #CancerMoonshot.

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