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AACR Conference Features Latest Research on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy

The American Association for Cancer Research will hold a Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy in Boston November 17-20, 2019, at which an international array of experts will present the latest developments in harnessing the immune system to treat cancer.  

Presentations during plenary sessions at the Boston Marriott Copley Place will discuss:

  • Intersection of Signaling Pathways and Immuno-Oncology
  • Novel Cell Therapies
  • Adverse Events
  • Epigenomics of Immuno-Oncology
  • Imaging and New Technologies
  • Tumor Evolution, Tumor Heterogeneity, and Tumor Microenvironment 
  • Interaction Between the Microbiome and Immunity, Systemic and Local Responses
  • Interface of Genetics, Antigens, and Immuno-Oncology, Including Vaccines, Adjuvants, and Biomarkers

Serving as conference cochairs are: 

  • Timothy A. Chan, MD, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
  • Charles G. Drake, MD, PhD, Columbia University Medical Center, New York 
  • Marcela V. Maus, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 
  • Arlene H. Sharpe, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School, Boston

Conference organizers have identified a highly rated abstract to be presented at the meeting that may be of interest to the media.

Gregory M. Chen, MD/PhD candidate at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, will present an abstract titled “Development of a transcriptomic T-cell atlas highlights the differential role of T-cell subpopulations in CAR T-cell therapy resistance.” The authors looked at how different T-cell subpopulations used to generate CAR T cells determine response and resistance to the treatment. The ultimate goal is to use this knowledge to improve the selection of T cells to yield improved outcomes.