Cambridge Healthtech Institute 2nd Annual Immunomodulatory Therapeutic Antibodies for Cancer

The 2011 approval of BMS’ ipilumumab (a CTLA-4 blockade), and a succession of favorable clinical data from the PD-1/PDL-1 programs of major pharmas including BMS, Merck, GSK/Amplimmune, Genentech and MedImmune is spearheading a new focus on immune system modulating antibody therapeutics. These results are now driving interest across academic and industry research into a next generation of checkpoint blockades and co-stimulatory factors, and the application of these to additional tumor types and in exciting new roles in combination treatment regimens.
But the path forward for this important direction in cancer treatment is not an easy one for researchers. The lack of relevant preclinical models, biomarkers and established clinical endpoints create challenges in demonstrating efficacy and advancing therapeutics through development. And the management of immune-related adverse events has become an important consideration in the development and clinical application of this of biotherapeutics.
For 2014, CHI’s “Immunomodulatory Therapeutic Antibodies for Cancer” will explore the developments in the models and tools used by researchers working in preclinical and clinical development of these emerging drug products, and offer updates of emerging targets and indications.
The second conference this week, "Combination Cancer Immunotherapy", will focus on the application of these antibody programs in combination with other treatment modalities, with emphasis on designing the best strategies for each cancer/tumor type and for maximum efficacy in patients.
The organizers invite proposals for the conference that offer presentations of new data, new approaches and novel science from industry scientists or academic research groups working in late preclinical or clinical stage development of immunomodulatory antibody therapeutics.