SITC Accomplishment Report for An Overview of the Society s Strategic Plan Activities and Accomplishments to Date

Transcription

1 SITC Accomplishment Report for 2013 An Overview of the Society s Strategic Plan Activities and Accomplishments to Date

2 SITC Strategic Plan Overview The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) was established in 1984 to exchange, encourage and promote information about the promise and breakthroughs of biological therapies, including immunotherapy, for patients with cancer. SITC is the world s leading member society of medical professionals dedicated to advancing cancer immunotherapy through its initiatives, educational sessions and collaborative endeavors. The Society has become THE forum for innovative discussions in the field. SITC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit society of medical professionals including more than 800 influential leaders and scientists engaged in tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy, including academicians, senior researchers, clinicians, students, government representatives, and industry leaders from around the world. SITC s members represent 17 medical specialties and are engaged in research and treatment of at least a dozen types of cancer. As the field of cancer immunotherapy continues to expand, the Society realized the importance of convening SITC leaders and staff for a strategic planning retreat this past summer to discuss the Society s current priorities and opportunities on the horizon. The overarching goal of the retreat was to shape the day-to-day activities of the Society and prioritize efforts as a part of enacting its Strategic Plan.

3 SITC Strategic Plan Overview SITC Mission It is the mission of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer to improve cancer patient outcomes by advancing the science, development and application of immunotherapy through our core values of interaction/integration, innovation, translation and leadership in the field. Core Values Interaction/Integration Facilitate the exchange of information and education among basic and translational researchers, clinicians, young investigators, societies and groups sharing the mission of SITC Innovation Challenge the thinking and seek the best research in the development of cancer immunotherapy Translation Promote the application and understanding of cancer immunology and immunotherapy research from the bench to the clinic and back Leadership Define what is new and important and effectively communicate it to all relevant stakeholders Areas of Focus

4 : Expand the Society s impact and influence by establishing relationships with key strategic partners. Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (CITN) SITC partners with this network of top academic immunologists to provide both financial and promotional resources to support the CITN mission. Agent Prioritization SITC assisted the CITN with the reprioritization of immunotherapy agents by connecting them with key players and stakeholders in the field. Immunoscore SITC continues to lead the progress of this international, retrospective evaluation of immunoscore as a prognostic biomarker for patients with colon cancer. Interactions with Regulators SITC is valued by its members for providing a unique forum for interactions with government regulators. SITC has a long-standing relationship with the FDA and is a participating organization in the FDA Cell Therapy Liaison Meetings. Member of FOCIS SITC is a member of the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS), a group of non-profit organizations that foster interdisciplinary approaches to understand and treat immune-based diseases with the ultimate goal of improving patient care and outcomes. SITC partnered with related organizations to expand the reach of cancer immunotherapy: Overcoming Barriers to Adaptive Immunity in Honolulu, Hawaii (May) Immunotherapy in Xiamen, China (September) Immunotherapy in Chicago, Illinois (October) Speed Networking In response to feedback from Annual Meeting delegates, this year SITC will host a Speed Networking Event at the Annual Meeting. This event is made up of a series of one-on-one mini-meetings, giving participants the opportunity to gain a better understanding of recent developments in cancer immunotherapy, identify common interests, strike up potential research collaborations and establish relationships with various stakeholders in the field. World Immunotherapy Council (WIC) - Founded by SITC, this organization was created to liaise with international cancer therapy-focused organizations and interest groups.

5 : Strengthen the Society and create a more robust membership base by both attracting new members and retaining the active members through the expansion of member benefits and cultivation of key constituency groups. Council for Immunotherapy Education & Outreach (CIEO) - In 2013, SITC established the CIEO to carry out education & outreach activities in support of the Society and its objectives to further the understanding of cancer immunotherapy to a broad audience. Industry Council - The Industry Council is comprised of SITC members from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The Council s mission is to push the field forward on a worldwide level, create community and present new data, particularly preclinical, to a growing and varied constituency. Public Policy & Advocacy - SITC joined several organizations to issue a Patient Advisory for Stem Cell Therapy and Medical Tourism. The document addresses a number of questions and concerns raised by patients and outlines best practices to assist patients and family members contemplating cell therapy or experimental stem cell procedures. Membership - SITC continues to experience exponential growth with more than 800 members leading the field of cancer immunology and immunotherapy. SITC s membership base has continued to expand globally and currently has representation from 35 countries indicated in green on the map. SITC Committees SITC encourages the participation and involvement of its members on its committees. Currently, over a hundred members serve as volunteers on numerous committees, helping SITC to thrive as a successful non-profit organization. SITC Champion Initiative Initiated by the SITC Membership Committee the Champion initiative helps to encourage two-way communication between the Society and institutions throughout the country, addresses the need for community education about immunotherapy, as well as disseminate information and builds awareness for SITC s educational programming and initiatives.

6 SITC s reach has expanded through the development of new social media platforms and online communities that have strengthen the relationship between the Society and its members. In addition, SITC has raised awareness for the field of cancer immunotherapy through Society-branded press releases that provide updates and present new information and research beneficial to advancing the field. Recent advancements in society media expansion include: LinkedIn Job Board allows SITC members to post jobs in the cancer immunotherapy fields free of charge. This assists in the development of the next generation leaders in the field and is an added benefit for early career scientists and student members of SITC. SITC s Oncology Tube channel targets a very specific audience of those interested in the treatment of cancer. Through video interviews with SITC leadership and educational webinars, SITC education is able to reach an extensive, broad audience from around the world. Educational program slide sets and presentations available on the SITC website allows for Society members and program attendees to revisit presentations from past SITC educational events and assists in advancing the science and application of cancer immunotherapy.

7 SITC cultivated young investigators in the field of cancer immunotherapy by expanding educational offerings and increasing opportunities for early career professional to be involved in Society activities and programs. Early Career Scientist Committee SITC established the Early Career Scientist Committee to partner with SITC leadership to address the needs of early career scientists in the fields of immunology and immunotherapy. Next Generation Leadership Development SITC has included young investigator representatives on all relevant SITC committees to cultivate the next generation development of cancer immunologists and immunotherapists. Young Investigator Awards SITC continues to support ten young investigators travel to the Society s Annual Meeting in order to encourage and engage the next generation of cancer immunotherapy researchers and luminaries. Photo credits: Michael Hoetzel, DGPh

8 ACI-FL ACI-FL : Provide education and training about the principles and practice of cancer immunotherapy to be widely recognized as the leading scientific voice in the field. Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Trials (CICT) Workshop This two-day workshop outlined the current challenges posed by the development of therapeutic trials in immunotherapy and provided participants with the tools to develop a framework and recommendations on how to design better clinical trials. SITC Industry Primer Recognizing a need to provide unbiased immunotherapy support and education to industry, SITC created an Industry Primer program to teach basic principles of cancer immunotherapy with up-to-date information on recent advances in the field to this stakeholder group. Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy (ACI) Regional Series In 2013, SITC launched an Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy regional program series specifically designed to provide education on the principles and clinical application of immunotherapy to clinical oncologists and the entire unit of care. Seven of these CME-certified programs took place in locations across the country. ACI-IL Leading into the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, May 31, 2013 Organizers: Thomas F. Gajewski, MD, PhD; Justin P. Kline, MD Organizers: Patrick Hwu, MD; Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, MD, PhD; Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD ACI-OH and in Collaboration with Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. October 4, Organizers: James H. Finke, PhD; Joseph Baar, MD, PhD; Brian I. Rini, MD In collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center, December 7, 2013 Organizers: James Mulé, PhD; Verrich, K. Sondak, MD ACI-PA ACI-PA In collaboration with University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, partner with UPMC, December 7, 2013 Organizers: Lisa H. Butterfield, PhD; Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD; Hassane M. Zarour, MD ACI-WA In collaboration with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, December 14, 2013 ACI-WA Organizers: Kim A. Margolin, MD; Walter J. Urba, MD, PhD ACI-CA ACI-CA San Francisco, December 14, 2013 Organizers: Lawrence Fong, MD; Antoni Ribas, MD

9 SITC continues to position itself as the leading resource for information and education on cancer immunotherapy by developing educational materials and outlets. Publication of Guidelines on the Use of Cancer Immunotherapy in Melanoma SITC released the first evidence-based consensus statement on tumor immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with melanoma in the US, providing clinicians with expert recommendations for the use of different immunotherapies. With this statement, SITC took a leadership role in addressing the deficiency in resources for physicians on how to appropriately treat cancer with immunotherapy. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer Immunotherapeutic Products for Cancer and FDA s Role in Product Development and Clinical Evaluation, Immune Monitoring Using the Predictive Power of Immune Profiles, Turning T cells On: Epigenetically Enhanced Expression of Effector T-cell Costimulatory Molecules on Irradiated Human Tumor Cells and a Society meeting report Primer on Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy. Additionally, SITC members have taken advantage of the 2013 membership benefit of free article processing fees when submitting SITC Publications This year, the Society has published four papers including program highlights and meeting summaries. Workshop, October 24th-25th 2012

10 Annual Meeting Highlights SITC s Annual Meeting continues to grow, welcoming a record number of delegates this year. Highlights at SITC 2013 include: Record number of exhibitors at 28 th Annual Meeting As a testament to how SITC gathers all relevant stakeholders in the field, the 28 th Annual Meeting has attracted a record number of exhibitors, doubling the number from the previous year. SITC continues to provide live education and training about cancer immunotherapy at SITC 2013: Immunotherapy th Annual Meeting in Checkpoint Blockade: Is PD-L1 Tumor Expression Necessary? Young Investigator /Early Career Scientist Opportunities at SITC 2013 Young Scientists Industry Forum - SITC 2013 will feature an Industry Forum event to foster dialogue amongst industry members as a SITC constituency group.

11 Cure... Yeah, we said it! All proceeds support SITC s Forward Fund Take a photo of you in your t-shirt and you could be featured on the SITC website! Visit for more information

12