Immunomodulation Virtual Summit

Summit Overview

Program Summary

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) will host the Summit on Immunomodulation of Antibody-drug Conjugates on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. EDT. The virtual summit is a free, public event that features invited speakers, expert panel discussions, and attendee question and answer periods. The multi-stakeholder virtual summit will feature over 25 panelists representing academic research and industry around the world. 

The SITC Summit on Immunomodulation of Antibody-drug Conjugates will highlight the latest translational and clinical research on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and their impacts on the immune system, anti-tumor immunity, and the tumor microenvironment. Topics to be addressed at the summit include impact of ADCs on the immune system, clinical considerations surrounding ADCs, ADC combination therapies, and next-generation immunoconjugates.

Problem Statement

The research and use of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to treat certain cancers have expanded dramatically in the last two years. 2023 brought the first FDA approval of an ADC combined with immune checkpoint blockade, and recent studies suggest that ADCs may modulate the immune system and enhance the anti-cancer immune response. The immuno-oncology field must explore the clinical and translational research surrounding ADCs and their role in immunomodulation, in order to effectively use and design ADCs and ADC-based therapies to improve patient outcomes.

Summit Goals and Objectives

The primary objective of the SITC Summit on Immunomodulation of ADCs is to elucidate the mechanistic aspects of ADC monotherapies and combination therapies. Secondary goals include exploring the effects of ADCs on the immune system, tumor microenvironment and anti-tumor immunity, reviewing clinical considerations for ADC-based therapies, discussing the rationale of using immunoconjugates for targeted cancer therapy.

Program Organizers

Timothy B. Lowinger, PhD

Timothy B. Lowinger, PhD
Mersana Therapeutics

Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH

Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Alfred Zippelius, MD

Alfred Zippelius, MD
University Hospital Basel

Summit Agenda

  Immunomodulation of ADCs Virtual Summit: Wednesday, June 26, 2024  - 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. EDT
   11–11:05 a.m.    Welcome and Introduction
   11:05–11:20 a.m.

   Background of ADCs, Mode of Action, Bystander Death and Immunogenic Cell Death

Greg Thurber, PhD – University of Michigan
   11:20–11:35 a.m.    Impact of ADC Payload on the Immune System
   11:35–11:50 a.m.

   Emerging ADC Clinical Data

Funda Meric-Bernstam, MD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
   11:50 a.m.–12:05 p.m.

   ADC and IO Combinations

Michiel van der Heijden, MD, PhD – Netherlands Cancer Institute
   12:05–12:20 p.m.

   Other Immune-Stimulating Agents and Combinations with ADCs

Sofia Genta, MD – Kingston Health Sciences Center
   12:20–12:35 p.m.

   Speaker Panel Discussion and Q&A

Moderator: Alfred Zippelius, MD – University Hospital Basel

Sofia Genta, MD – Kingston Health Sciences Center

Funda Meric-Bernstam, MD – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Greg Thurber, PhD – University of Michigan

Michiel van der Heijden, MD, PhD – Netherlands Cancer Institute
   12:35–12:45 p.m.
    Break
   12:45–1:15 p.m.

   Panel 1: Clinical Experiences, Limitations, Toxicity Profiles, and Potential Combinations

Moderator: Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH – Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Peter Schmid, MD, PhD – Barts Cancer Institute
Heather McArthur, MD, MPH – Simmons Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Thomas Powles, MD, MBBS, MRCP – Barts Cancer Institute
Michiel van der Heijden – Netherlands Cancer Institute
   1:15–1:45 p.m.

   Panel 2: Preclinical Rationale for Combination Therapies

Moderator: Tim Lowinger, PhD – Mersana Therapeutics
Leif Ellisen, MD, PhD – Massachusetts General Hospital
   1:45–1:55 p.m.    Break
   1:55–2:25 p.m.

   Panel 3: TLR and STING Agonism: Pros, Cons, and Other Approaches

Naniye Malli, PhD, MS – Mersana Therapeutics
   2:25–2:55 p.m.

   Panel 4: Weaponized Antibodies: Cytokines and Radio Conjugates

Uli Bialucha, PhD – Xilio Therapeutics
   2:55–3:25 p.m.

   Panel 5: Patient Selection, Predictive Biomarkers, Signs of Early Benefit, and Future Areas of Research

Moderator: Barbara Pistilli, MD – Gustave Roussy
Laurence Buisseret, MD, PhD – Université libre de Bruxelles
Aurelien Marabelle, MD, PhD – University of Paris Saclay
Roberto Ferrara, MD, PHD – University Vita Salute San Raffaele
Fabrice Andre, MD, PhD – Gustave Roussy
   3:25–3:30 p.m.    Conclusion, Next Steps and Potential Outcomes


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