The Cancer Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment Symposium held at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SPB) on March 8, 2018 attracted a full house of international attendees.

Its success likely stems from the impressive roster of speakers invited by Carl Ware, PhD, director of the Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases Center and Linda Bradley, PhD, also a professor in that program. The presenters included many thought leaders in the field from such prestigious institutions as University of Pittsburgh, University of Ontario Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Mayo Clinic, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego and University of Washington School of Medicine.

Today, immunotherapy is one of the most exciting areas of new discoveries and treatments for many types of cancer. Although huge strides have been made—some patients experience complete remission—more breakthroughs are needed. Some patients do not respond at all, some relapse and others experience undesirable, often life-threatening side effects. And some cancers, such a pancreatic, brain, breast and prostate, have shown very limited benefit.

“This symposium brings experts in the fields of cancer and immunology together to promote scientific exchange and collaboration,” says Ware. “It’s meetings like this that will help us accelerate the understanding and development of new immune system-based therapies for cancer patients.”