ITOC 2016

Prof Paul Sondel speaks with ecancertv about advances in cancer detection, diagnosis and survival.

Dr Ascierto talks to ecancertv at ITOC-3 about PD-L1 checkpoint inhibition. In particular, he discusses whether or not it can be truly considered as a predictive biomarker. PD-L1 has been a target of research due to its role in regulation of host immune response to cancerous cells. PD-L1 positive tumour cells have been shown to be especially susceptible to immunotherapy. However, Dr Ascierto reports that stratification of patients based on PD-L1 expression does not match with patient response to treatment.

Prof Sine Reker Hadrup talks to ecancertv at ITOC-3 about her labs novel techniques in identifying T cell binding peptides and infiltration to tumours. By designing MHC-1 multimers with UV sensitive peptides and utilising high throughput techniques, they have been able to generate large libraries of reagents. From these, it is possible to stain T cells from tissue samples and follow specific immune reactivity in tumours.

Cancer patient Peter Trayhurn provides ecancer with his personal thoughts and experiences with regards to immunotherapy and the ITOC-3 conference.

Dr Luigi Varesio speaks with ecancertv about his labs research in the effect of hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation, on tumour masses and immune cell complements.

Dr Jérôme Galon speaks with ecancertv about his research into T Cell values as a predictive biomarker. Using his labs Immunoscore assay, Dr Galon reports on the value of memory T Cells as an indicator of early stage patient potential in recovery, and prognosis of late stage patient survival. These findings indicate that progression of tumour staging can be measured and modulated by host immune response, opposed to host immunity succumbing to disease.

Dr Butterfield talks to ecancertv at ITOC-3 about her work looking at hepatocellular carcinoma and the immunomodulatory effects of alpha fetoprotein.

Prof Lei Zheng speaks with ecancer and his research into vaccine therapies to treat pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is notoriously resistant to many treatments, including checkpoint inhibitors. Prof Zheng reports that using combined vaccine alongside anti-PD1 therapies primes the tumour microenvironment, increasing sensitivity and drug uptake.

Prof Zwierzina talks to ecancertv at ITOC-3 about the importance of the conference and the highlights arising from it. Areas of specific interest from this years conference include recent advances in the use of biomarkers as prognostic indicators, a growing understanding of the therapeutic powers of checkpoint inhibitors and increased efficacy of treatments by utilising combination therapies, curing even metatstatic patients.

Dr Barbara Selliger introduces microRNAs, a novel field of biomarkers and cell regulatory molecules with immune modulatory effects. Only in its initial phases, use microRNA shows clinical promise as means of observing and regulating the cell cycle behaviour of tumours.

Prof Angus Dalgliesh speaks with ecancertv at ITOC3 about his ongoing research in combined cancer therapies. Prof Dalgliesh proposes that combinations of immunotherapy with other treatment modalities improves patient recovery, treatment response rates and affordability of care. He discusses improved immune response and sensitivity following 'priming' of patients with immune modulators, and following intermittent treatment administration compared to continuous therapy.

Dr Facciabene (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA) talks to ecancertv at ITOC3 about novel TEM-1 vaccines. The vaccine targets Tumour Endothelial Marker 1, eliminating tumour vasculature and inducing a secondary immune response. The trials have proven effective in models of breast cancer, Lewis lung carcinoma, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer. Host angiogenesis in wound healing and pregnancy is unaffected by the vaccine.

Dr Gerold Schuler speaks with ecancertv about his lab's variation on CAR T Cells: TETARs - CD8 T Cells expressing two additional antigens. In trials, the addition of novel receptors to T Cells via RNA transfection has been used to create modified T Cells expressing novel antigen binding configurations, with theoretically unlimited combinations and no risk to host models. Further trials are ongoing.

Prof Alan Melcher speaks with ecancertv about his research into oncolytic viruses as immunotherapy - reprogramming infectious agents to reach inaccessible tumours and stimulate host immune response.