A Message from the President

Dear Colleagues,

We’re only a couple weeks into 2015 and it’s already shaping up to be a monumental year—not only for the field of cancer immunotherapy but also for SITC as we prepare to embark on a number of new initiatives and educational activities throughout the year.

As the world’s leading member-driven society dedicated to professionals working in the field of cancer immunotherapy, we work hard to ensure all of our members—students, clinicians, scientists, industry professionals and government representatives alike—have access to and are engaged in the implementation of timely, cutting-edge translational clinical research in cancer immunotherapy. Whether you’re a student or luminary in the field, there are opportunities to advance personally and professionally at SITC. Learn more about SITC membership and how you can help shape the success of the Society in 2015 here.

With more activities scheduled in 2015 than ever before and extended dates for SITC’s 30^th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Associated Programs, there’s no reason 2015 shouldn’t be yet another record-breaking year!

Best regards,

Howard L. Kaufman, MD, FACS
SITC President

Society Updates

SITC-Merck Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Fellowship Award
Submission Opens January 26

SITC, in partnership with Merck, will be accepting submissions for the second annual Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Fellowship Award from January 26 through March 9, 2015.

This one-year, $100,000 award is an opportunity for a young investigator to reach new horizons in their career while advancing the science and application of cancer immunotherapy. In addition to providing one year of salary, equipment, supplies and fringe benefit support, the award recipient will be recognized among peers and luminaries in the field at an upcoming SITC Annual Meeting.

Applicants must be SITC members at time of submission to qualify. Get more information, including the complete list of eligibility requirements, here.

SITC and Melanoma Research Alliance Jointly Held Congressional Briefing on Cancer Immunotherapy

On December 15, 2014, SITC and the Melanoma Research Alliance came together to hold a congressional luncheon briefing to highlight the innovative new therapies, including immunotherapy, in the pipeline aimed at the treatment of cancers such as melanoma.

James L. Gulley, MD, PhD, Director of the Clinical Trials Group within the Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute delivered a keynote address, which preceded an engaging panel discussion. Among the panelists were SITC President Howard L. Kaufman, MD, FACS, Dr. Jennifer Gansert (Amgen) and T.J. Sharpe, stage 4 melanoma patient and blogger from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Learn more about this event from T.J. Sharpe’s perspective here.

SITC Resources

SITC 2014 Video Footage Now Available Online

Speaker presentation videos synched with the slides presented at SITC’s 29^th Annual Meeting, Workshop on Combination Immunotherapy, Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy^TM and Hot Topic Symposia are now available online! Access the videos via the links on this page.

Understanding Cancer Immunotherapy Patient Guide

SITC leaders created the Understanding Cancer Immunotherapy patient guide to provide medically accurate, up-to-date information about immunotherapy, including a listing of clinical trials and resources, which patients and their caregivers can use to understand immunotherapy, its role in cancer treatment and what to expect while undergoing this treatment. Download the latest edition here. Hard copies are also available. To request copies to share with your patients and colleagues, please contact info@sitcancer.org.

“Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Immunotherapy: A New Hope” Raises Awareness among Patients and Caregivers

Created by SITC, “Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Immunotherapy: A New Hope,” follows a patient’s journey from NSCLC diagnosis through the course of cancer immunotherapy treatment via a clinical trial. With nearly 14,000 views, this video has proven to be an effective learning tool for patients and caregivers alike. Watch the video and share it with your patients and colleagues.

Clinical Advances in Immuno-Oncology Online Learning Center Provides Community Physicians with Free, CME-Certified Education

Throughout 2014, SITC and Medscape released nine CME-certified activities offering leading-edge immune-oncology education that addresses both essential principles of cancer immunotherapy and recent advances in non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma and genitourinary cancers. Access SITC’s online education portal here.

SITC Members in the News

Professor James P. Allison, PhD, Named Recipient of the 2014 Harvey Award

Longstanding SITC member, Professor James P. Allison, PhD, was awarded the Harvey Prize for being the first person to isolate the T-cell antigen receptor complex protein. An immunologist at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, Prof. Allison has been the chairman of the immunology department since 2012. Also the Director of the Cancer Research Institute Scientific Advisory Council, he has a strong interest in mechanisms of T-cell development and activation, as well as the development of novel strategies for tumor immunotherapy.

The Harvey Prize recognizes breakthroughs in science and technology by people who have contributed to the progress of humanity or to peace in the Middle East. We congratulate Prof. Allison on receiving this prestigious award!

Get Involved

Join us in Doha, Qatar for the Breast Cancer Immunotherapy Symposium (BRECIS): Submit Your Abstract by February 2

In partnership with Sidra Medical and Research Center, this two-day symposium is designed to provide state-of-the-art information on immunobiology and immunotherapeutic development in breast cancer. Abstract submission is open through February 2, with six travel award opportunities. Each award recipient will give a 15-minute presentation at the event, and all accepted abstracts will be published in JITC, the Society's official journal. Submit your abstract here.

For more information and to register for the program, please visit our website.

Attend a SITC Meeting

Join SITC President Howard L. Kaufman, MD, FACS and SITC Board Director Jedd D. Wolchok, MD, PhD for Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy^TM, Saturday, March 28 in Princeton, New Jersey! This introductory, CME-certified program will provide an understanding of basic immunology principles in the clinical application and management of cancer immunotherapy and discuss emerging drugs and concepts in the cancer immunotherapy field. Get more information and register here.

Can't make it to ACI^TM - New Jersey? We have many other exciting programs and activities coming up in 2015! Check out our list of upcoming meetings and educational activities, and be sure to save the date for SITC’s 30^th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Associated Programs!

Submit Your Research to JITC

The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC) is the official journal of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. This open-access, peer-reviewed journal encompasses all aspects of tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy, from basic research through to clinical application. As a thank you to dedicated Society members who tirelessly work 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 in 2015—a $2,500 value. Submit your research here.

Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC)
555 East Wells Street, Suite 1100 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-3823 USA
Phone: +1 414 271 2456 | Email: info@sitcancer.org

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