OVERVIEW

39th Annual Critical Issues in Tumor Microenvironment: Angiogenesis, Metastasis and Immunology is organized by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School and will be held from Oct 28 - 31, 2024.

Description:
The course will continue to offer the best in critical analysis of what is currently known about the tumor microenvironment, angiogenesis, metastasis, immunology, including novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, tumor metabolism, and the role of microbiome. This year, we will include two new lectures on cancer neuroscience and the use of Artificial Intelligence for cancer research. The faculty, consisting of internationally recognized experts, will present their latest findings from their clinics and laboratories. The goal is to highlight key gaps in present knowledge of cancer and outline future directions for research at the bench, in the clinic, and in drug development.

The course will continue its four-day online webinar-based live lecture format. Learning formats will include didactic lectures, Q&A and group case discussions. The faculty will encourage an open discussion and will provide critical comments on challenges and future opportunities in research in cancer and in the establishment of novel therapy approaches and biomarkers to guide treatment.

The aim of this course remains to analyze and synthesize the most up-to-date findings. Faculty will present valuable information in a systematic and comprehensive framework and critically review the latest techniques. This course is dedicated to helping to improve the clinical translation of this knowledge and competence, leading to improved cancer treatment.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of our Critical Issues in Tumor Microenvironment course, participants will be able to:
• Evaluate molecularly targeted agents and immunotherapies approved or currently in clinical development for cancer treatment, including novel CAR T cell therapy, and incorporate into practice.
• Assess relevant, state-of-the-art or translational pre-clinical models of anti-cancer therapies.
• Recognize the steps and determinants of the metastatic process of cancer.
• Identify the barriers for immunotherapy and potential approaches to address them, including the crosstalk between the tumor microenvironment (microbiota/nervous system/immune system/stroma) and cancer cells.
• Discuss the use of applying Artificial Intelligence for cancer research.
• Evaluate state-of-the-art genetic and imaging techniques and their applications in pre-clinical and clinical studies.