Thank you to everyone who participated in SITC 2012! This year’s meeting was once again a great success! If you were with us in Bethesda, then you experienced first hand the exciting evolution that is taking place within SITC and in the field of cancer immunology and immunotherapy! Nearly 800 people from 27 different countries attended SITC 2012, making it the largest meeting in SITC history. The SITC 27th Annual Meeting also set a new abstract submission record with a total of 239 scientific abstracts submitted for presentation.
Feedback from those who attended SITC 2012 was also very positive, noting the meeting is a “great forum for discussing the latest data in the field of cancer immunotherapy and for bringing together academia, industry and regulatory.”
- "Overall, one of the best meetings I have attended in cancer immunology and immunotherapy in recent years. The SITC meeting had outstanding presentations and presenters, great data and spirited discussions, all in an environment infused with hope and excitement. Immunotherapy has finally arrived in a big way!"
- Christopher A. Klebanoff, MD - National Institutes of Health, Center for Cancer Research
- “The meeting has been very interesting and stimulating. The scientific level of presentations was outstanding and it was very useful to meet and share information with participants."
- Cristina Maccalli, PhD - Foundation San Raffaele Scientific Institute
- "SITC is committed to the development of the next generation of scientists interested in cancer immunotherapy. By providing multiple venues for professional development as well as providing an intimate meeting where leaders and trainees can easily interact, SITC is a model for other organizations to follow."
- Christian Capitini, MD - University of Wisconsin
SITC 2012 RECAP
Below is an overview of a few important initiatives and highlights that were announced at SITC 2012. In the coming weeks more information will be posted on the SITC 2012 website including:
• Presenter slides
• Meeting handouts
• Published abstracts
• Photos
• Videos
• And much more!
SITC LAUNCHES OFFICIAL JOURNAL
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At this year’s meeting SITC launched its new official journal, the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC). JITC is an open access, online journal created by the Society for the many stakeholders in the tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy community. The journal is now accepting submissions in basic tumor immunology, clinical/translational cancer immunotherapy, immunotherapy biomarkers, reviews/editorials and other related topics.
As a way to say thank you to all the dedicated Society members who work tirelessly to advance the science and ultimately to improve the lives of patients with cancer, SITC is pleased to offer Society members waived article processing charges for manuscripts accepted before the end of 2013. To take advantage of this member benefit, please call (+414-271-2456) or email (info@sitcancer.org) the SITC executive office for your member code.
For more information about the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer or to submit a paper, please visit the JITC tab on the SITC website.
FORWARD FUND UNVEILED
SITC 2012 also marked the unveiling of the Forward Fund, an initiative established by SITC to stimulate the future of the science, development and application of cancer immunology and immunotherapy through financially supporting its education and research. Through the generousity of meeting attendees nearly $30,000 in pledges and contributions was raised onsite at SITC 2012.
The Forward Fund will provide grants that will help attract the brightest young minds in cancer and/or immunology research to the cancer immunotherapy domain. It will inform those outside of the cancer immunotherapy field about the huge promise of this modality, which offers the potential of creating long-term remissions and/or prolongation of survival for people suffering from an expanding array of advanced cancer types. The Fund will also educate established clinical oncologists regarding the application and potential benefits of this treatment modality.
For more information about the Forward Fund, or to make a donation, please visit the Forward Fund page on the SITC website.
SITC AWARDS PRESENTED
SITC is pleased to announce the 2012 award recipients honored at the Awards Ceremony held on Saturday, October 27. Supported by the Forward Fund, the awards are an opportunity to recognize the lifetime achievements of a key leader in field, as well as promote young and up-and-coming researchers.
Richard V. Smalley, MD Memorial Award
The Society selected Theresa L. Whiteside, PhD, from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, to receive the Richard V. Smalley, MD Memorial Award for her outstanding research, work and achievements in cancer therapy.
Established in 2005, this annual lectureship award is given in memory of former Society President, Richard V. Smalley, MD, to honor a luminary in the field that has significantly contributed to the advancement of cancer immunotherapy research.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Dr. Whiteside for generously donating her $5,000 honorarium back to the Forward Fund.
SITC Presidential Travel Awards
The SITC Presidential Award serves to recognize the young investigator deemed to have the most outstanding oral abstract presentation based on quality of research and methods, presentation of results and its impact on the field. The top four abstracts submitted in any category and authored by young investigators were selected for 20 minute oral presentations during the Presidential Session. Of those abstract presenters, all four received Presidential Travel Awards and one was selected as the 2012 Presidential Award winner. Congratulations to the following recipients:
Presidential Award
• Madhusudhanan Sukumar, PhD
National Cancer Institute
Presidential Travel Award
• Cesar Evaristo, PhD
University of Chicago
• Nathan Singh
University of Pennsylvania
• Claire Vanpouille-Box, PhD
New York University
SITC Abstract Travel Awards
The SITC Abstract Travel Award serves to recognize outstanding abstracts submitted by young investigators. Congratulations to the following six young investigators who were selected to receive this award at the SITC 27th Annual Meeting:
Abstract Travel Award
• Maria Libera Ascierto, PhD
National Institutes of Health
• Michael Postow, MD
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• David Rushworth
MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Huimin Tao
University of Michigan
• Seng-Ryong Woo, PhD
University of Chicago
• Yan Yang
MD Anderson Cancer Center
GROW WITH SITC IN 2013!
It’s an exciting time for the field of cancer immunology and immunotherapy and SITC has many new projects on the horizon for 2013. As a valued colleague, we invite you to be a part of an organization that is the leading scientific voice in the field of cancer immunology and immunotherapy. As a SITC member you will receive:
• Waived article processing fees for the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC), SITC’s NEW official open access and peer review journal
• Reduction in registration fees for SITC educational programs and activities
• Free access to speaker presentations and slide sets from past SITC live events
• Access to the “Members Only” section of the SITC website, including an online directory of SITC members and free access to professional resources
• Eligibility to serve on SITC committees and in leadership roles
• Eligibility for Young Investigator Awards
• Discount on SITC enduring materials
For more information on SITC membership, such as how to become a SITC member or to renew your dues, please visit the Membership tab of the SITC website.
