This website uses tracking technologies, such as cookies, to provide a better user experience. If you continue to use this site, then you acknowledge our use of tracking technologies. For additional information, review our Privacy Policy.
CRI Virtual Immunotherapy Patient Summit
Educating and Empowering the Cancer Community
Session Recordings Available
Free to Watch Online
Connecting You with Leading Experts in Cancer Immunotherapy
Building on the success of our series of in-person educational events for cancer patients and caregivers, we are thrilled to offer the free CRI Virtual Immunotherapy Patient Summit for the first time this year, hosted by award-winning TV host, journalist, executive producer, and philanthropist Tamron Hall. This interactive online platform allows us to connect thousands of patients and their support networks with the immunotherapy experts on the front lines of scientific discovery and advancement, all from the comfort and safety of your own home and at no cost to you. The CRI Virtual Immunotherapy Patient Summit is your opportunity to:
We look forward to you joining us!
October 2, 2020
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT
October 3, 2020
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT
December 5, 2020
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM PT
12:00 PM ET
9:00 AM PT
Tamron Hall
Award-Winning TV Host, Journalist, Executive Producer, and Philanthropist
Jill O'Donnell-Tormey, Ph.D.
CEO and Director of Scientific AffairsCancer Research Institute
We’re delighted to have the one and only Tamron Hall join us as host for our first ever virtual summit! Tamron and Dr. Jill O’Donnell-Tormey will kick off the day with a very warm welcome and overview of what to expect over the course of the 2-day event. Jill will also share some of CRI’s history and our impact as the world’s leading nonprofit organization that for more than 65 years has remained dedicated exclusively to harnessing the immune system’s power to cure all cancers.
Tamron Hall is an award-winning TV host, journalist and philanthropist. She is the host and executive producer of the daytime television show “Tamron Hall,” which is produced and distributed in national syndication by Walt Disney Television. For her work on the show’s first season, Tamron won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host. “Tamron Hall” was also awarded the prestigious Gracie Award in its first season, which recognizes exemplary programming created by women.
Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, Ph.D., is chief executive officer and director of scientific affairs of the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), a nonprofit organization founded in 1953 that is today the global leader in supporting and coordinating research aimed at harnessing the immune system’s power to conquer all cancers. She joined the organization in 1987 and has been chief executive since 1993. Prior to joining CRI, she served as a research associate in the Department of Medicine at Cornell University Medical College and as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of cellular physiology and immunology at The Rockefeller University.
12:15 PM ET
9:15 AM PT
E. John Wherry, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Moderator
Immunotherapy continues to transform cancer treatment across several cancer types and shows incredible promise for the future of all cancer care. But what is immunotherapy and how does it work? How is immunotherapy different from other types of cancer treatment? Dr. Wherry will explore how our immune system works, break down into basic concepts the complex science underlying immunotherapy, describe the different types of immunotherapies, and discuss potential side effects and benefits patients cancer anticipate. The presentation will be followed by an opportunity for you to ask questions during a live Q&A moderated by Tamron Hall.
E. John Wherry is the Barbara and Richard Schiffrin President’s Distinguished Professor, chair of the Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics in the Perelman School of Medicine and director of the UPenn Institute for Immunology. Dr. Wherry’s expertise lies mainly in T cell exhaustion, which can hamper anti-tumor immune responses. He has published over 200 papers, many of which have helped advance our understanding of how gene expression changes affect this exhaustion, which has led to strategies to improve the effectiveness of T cell-targeting immunotherapies. In recognition of his achievements, Dr. Wherry received the Distinguished Alumni award from Thomas Jefferson University, the Stand Up To Cancer Phillip A. Sharp Award, the Cancer Research Institute 2016 Frederick W. Alt Award for New Discoveries in Immunology. He is an associate director of CRI’s Scientific Advisory Council and member of CRI’s Clinical Leadership Committee.
12:45 PM ET
9:45 AM PT
Ezra Cohen, M.D.
UC San Diego Health
Clinical trials are essential to bringing promising new therapies to patients, often for the first time or in new combinations with other treatments. So, what is a clinical trial? What are common misconceptions about clinical trials? How can you access cancer immunotherapy clinical trials? How has the current COVID-19 pandemic affected patient participation in clinical trials? These are just few of the topics that Dr. Cohen will address during this can’t-miss informative session. Following his talk, you’ll have an opportunity to ask your questions about clinical trials during a live Q&A session.
Dr. Cohen is Chief of the Division of Hematology‐Oncology, and Co‐Director of the San Diego Center for Precision Immunotherapy. A physician‐scientist, Dr. Cohen led an independently funded laboratory interested in mechanisms of action of novel therapeutics. He has made major contributions to targeted and immunotherapy. His research has received peer‐reviewed funding in the study of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, cell therapy, and immunotherapy in head and neck cancer. He has made major contributions to the understanding of critical signaling pathways, integration of novel agents into standard of care, and definition of mechanisms to overcome resistance to drug therapy. He has also recently co‐developed a personalized neoantigen vaccine using unique cancer mutations to boost an anti‐tumor immune response.
1:25 PM ET
10:25 AM PT
Stephen Estrada
Colorectal Cancer Veteran
Alan Kaufman
Melanoma Veteran
Karen Peterson
Breast Cancer Veteran
Hear directly as CRI ImmunoAdvocates share their firsthand stories and experiences with cancer, immunotherapy, clinical trials, and the value of support networks. These patient advocates and cancer veterans will talk openly about side effects and share helpful tips for communicating with your health care team. Equally important, they will help you understand the practical impact on daily life after a cancer diagnosis. While every story is unique, this session will no doubt inspire you to be your own advocate and informed decision maker throughout your treatment journey. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Ezra Cohen followed by a live Q&A session.
In 2014, at 28 years old, Stephen was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and told he had a 1 percent chance of living for the next five years. With this diagnosis came the news that he has a genetic condition known as Lynch Syndrome, an inherited mutation of the mismatch repair DNA pathway that significantly increased his risk for several types of cancer at an early age. Stephen underwent surgery and six months of chemotherapy that left him with debilitating side effects. The chemotherapy shrank his tumor enough make him eligible for a NanoKnife procedure, however a CT scan shortly after showed that the procedure had failed. At this point, Stephen worked with his oncologist to research other treatment options for colorectal cancer patients with Lynch Syndrome. He decided to enroll in a phase 1 clinical trial combining chemotherapy with the immunotherapy atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ®). Since beginning immunotherapy over six years ago, Stephen’s disease has remained stable and he has been able to do more of the things he loves, like cooking, trying the latest restaurants, and traveling.
Alan was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in June 2017. At the time, he had five tumors in his brain and one in his lung. He underwent a pair of brain surgeries to remove two of the tumors, followed up by Gamma Knife and Linac radiation therapy. In July 2017, Alan began immunotherapy, initially with ipilimumab (Yervoy®) and nivolumab (Opdivo®), then nivolumab only that September. Two years later, in November 2019, Alan ran his 26th NYC Marathon (his second as a cancer patient). On January 28, 2020, he successfully completed immunotherapy. Today he feels great, has had minimal side effects, and continues to share his story through essays and cartoons on social media with a hope to inspire, encourage, and uplift others struggling with a cancer diagnosis.
When Karen was initially diagnosed with stage 1 triple-negative breast cancer in 2015, she underwent standard treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free, but she knew there was a strong likelihood the cancer would return. Throughout the following year, Karen took charge of her cancer narrative by researching other treatment options and talking to experts. In 2017 the breast cancer returned, and this time it was metastatic. Karen was facing a life expectancy of 18 to 24 months. She decided not to undergo chemotherapy again because of the debilitating side effects. She researched clinical trials and eventually found a phase 1 trial she was eligible for at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center combining NKTR-214 (bempeg) and nivolumab (Opdivo®). Her first CT scan, after eight weeks of immunotherapy, revealed a 72% reduction in tumors. In June 2020, Karen’s oncologist declared her “an official complete responder.” Karen’s cancer immunotherapy experience has impassioned her to become a patient advocate and educator. She hopes that her advocacy work will help others learn about immunotherapy and cancer clinical trials.
1:50 PM ET
10:50 AM PT
Congratulations! By joining us today you’ve taken greater control of your personal health journey. Tamron will wrap up with more inspirational closing thoughts, along with a recap of the key highlights and important reminders and additional information for a successful Day 2 of the CRI Virtual Immunotherapy Patient Summit. We hope you log off from today’s program with a renewed sense of hope and empowerment. We firmly believe that knowledge is power. We created the CRI Virtual Immunotherapy Patient Summit to be a credible and robust platform to educate you about cancer immunotherapy and drive awareness about new scientific breakthroughs. If you are ready to take the next step, you can schedule a free virtual consultation with a CRI Clinical Trial Navigator below.
Welcome back! Tune in to start the day with Tamron Hall, who will re-center and reinvigorate everyone as we kick off day of in-depth cancer-specific discussions. Day 1 provided a foundation for understanding the science of immunotherapy from leading physician-scientists. Equally important, the patient panel shared lived experiences, shedding light on the emotional, physical, and practical considerations for those considering immunotherapy. On Day 2, cancer-specific breakout sessions will allow attendees to connect with and hear from leading oncologists and clinical researchers. Moderated by Brian Brewer of the Cancer Research Institute and facilitated by an immunotherapy specialist, the Day 2 breakout sessions are your chance to “ask the expert” and hear about the latest in treatment advances for your specific area of interest. Our expert-led breakout sessions are open to all attendees, so feel free to join more than one conversation.
Tamron Hall is an award-winning TV host, journalist, and philanthropist. She is the host and executive producer of the daytime television show “Tamron Hall,” which is produced and distributed in national syndication by Walt Disney Television. For her work on the show’s first season, Tamron won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host. “Tamron Hall” was also awarded the prestigious Gracie Award in its first season, which recognizes exemplary programming created by women.
12:05 PM ET
9:05 AM PT
Sylvia Adams, M.D.
Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone
Victor Ty, BSN, RN
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women with an estimated 2.1 million new cases of breast cancer globally each year. Immunotherapy for breast cancer is developing rapidly following the first FDA-approved checkpoint inhibitor for triple-negative breast cancer in March 2019. Dr. Sylvia Adams, director of Clinical Breast Cancer Research at NYU’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, and Victor Ty, BSN, RN, oncology clinical research manager at NYU’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, will answer your questions and discuss promising immunotherapy research for breast cancer.
Dr. Adams is a professor of medicine and medical oncologist who cares for patients with breast cancer at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center. She also has expertise in the development and conduct of cancer immunotherapy trials. Her practice philosophy is to combine evidence-based medicine, innovative research, and compassionate care. Her work has been awarded several grants from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the National Cancer Institute. She has published several original research articles as well as reviews and book chapters on breast cancer and cancer immunotherapy. She is the director of the Breast Cancer Center at NYU Langone.
Victor Ty is an oncology clinical research manager at NYU’s Perlmutter Cancer Center. After two and a half decades in the fashion industry, he enrolled in nursing school at age 40 to help advocate for services for children and adults with special needs. Immediately after graduation, he began work as a radiation oncology nurse with a sub-specialty in brachytherapy. He joined NYU Langone Health Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2016 to coordinate Breast Cancer Radiation Oncology trials and ultimately focused on Medical and Radiation Oncology. These clinical trials include several cancer immunotherapy trials, which Victor and his team continue to run today. He feels it has been an absolute privilege to be able to care for and touch the lives of patients and their families.
12:40 PM ET
9:40 AM PT
Kunle Odunsi, M.D., Ph.D.
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Globally, ovarian cancer is diagnosed in an estimated 300,000 women each year. While significant advances have been made in surgical and chemo-based treatments for ovarian cancer, the survival rates have only modestly improved. Immunotherapy for ovarian cancer shows tremendous potential for addressing this devastating disease. In this session, Dr. Kunle Odunsi, a gynecologic oncologist specializing in cancer immunotherapy at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, will discuss details of immunotherapy clinical trials in ovarian cancer currently underway and take your questions about new treatments in gynecologic cancers.
Dr. Odunsi is the Deputy Director and The Robert, Anne & Lew Wallace Endowed Chair in Cancer Immunotherapy at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he also serves as the Chair of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The M. Steven Piver Professor of Gynecologic Oncology, and the Executive Director of the Center for Immunotherapy. There, he oversees all scientific and clinical research-related initiatives, including the transfer of scientific discoveries into clinical settings. Dr. Odunsi is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and has made significant research contributions, including the characterization of tumor antigens and development of novel immunotherapy and cellular-therapy approaches for treating various solid tumor cancers. He is the Chair-Elect of the AACR Cancer Immunology Working Group (CIMM) and a Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) At-Large Director. Dr. Odunsi is a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is a member of CRI’s Scientific Advisory Council, member of CRI’s Clinical Leadership Committee, and serves on CRI’s CLIP Grant Review Committee.
1:15 PM ET
10:15 AM PT
Sumit Subudhi, M.D., Ph.D.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
As the second most common male cancer in the world, roughly 1.3 million people receive a prostate cancer diagnosis each year. In its early stages, prostate cancer is highly treatable, but when advanced, effective treatments are limited. That’s where cancer immunotherapy offers new hope. There are already two FDA-approved immunotherapies—a therapeutic cancer vaccine and a checkpoint inhibitor—and many more promising treatments in clinical trials. Join Dr. Sumit Subudhi, medical oncologist and immunologist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, to discuss exciting scientific and clinical research. He’ll answer your questions.
Dr. Subudhi is a medical oncologist and immunologist at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center whose research focuses on the mechanisms and pathways within the immune system that are responsible for tumor rejection and clinical benefit. His focus is on investigating optimal combinations of immune checkpoint blockade-based therapies and on developing immunological biomarkers to predict treatment responses, with the hope of ultimately producing durable and even curative responses in patients with prostate cancer. Dr. Subudhi was awarded the Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award in 2014 to pursue these studies. He has also been investigating the immunological differences between primary prostate cancer and the bone metastasis microenvironment. He is currently the study chair for a Cancer Research Institute and Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy platform clinical trial that is simultaneously evaluating multiple treatment combinations in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Leena Gandhi, M.D., Ph.D.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
As the most common cancer worldwide, lung cancer impacts approximately 2.1 million people each year. Hope for millions is on the horizon as the lung cancer death rate in the United States has dropped dramatically over the last few years with the introduction of new treatments, including immunotherapy. Immunotherapy for lung cancer, alone or in combination with conventional treatments, can significantly improve outcomes for lung cancer patients. Join Dr. Leena Gandhi, director of the Clinical Center for Therapeutic Innovation at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to hear about several recently approved immunotherapy options and ask your questions about how immunotherapy is advancing the treatment of lung cancer.
Dr. Gandhi is the director of the Center for Cancer Therapeutic Innovation at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She was previously the director of Thoracic Medical Oncology at NYU and the head of Immuno-Oncology Development at Eli Lilly. She was a lead investigator on a pivotal phase 1 clinical trial that showed the usefulness of using PD-L1 as a biomarker for patients receiving anti-PD-L1 checkpoint immunotherapy as well as the lead investigator of a pivotal phase 3 study showing the survival benefit of adding pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) to chemotherapy in the initial treatment of metastatic lung cancer. She continues to work on evaluations of potential biomarkers that can better extend and refine the use of immunotherapies and combination therapies to maximize benefit for the most patients.
2:25 PM ET
11:25 AM PT
Jedd Wolchok, M.D., Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Immunotherapy has forever changed the way melanoma is treated. Checkpoint inhibitors, beginning with the landmark 2011 FDA approval of ipilimumab (Yervoy®), are responsible for the increasing survival rate for patients with metastatic melanoma. Join Dr. Jedd D. Wolchok, medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, in a Q&A discussion about how immunotherapy is increasing survival rate for patients with metastatic melanoma and how doctors are bringing the benefits of immunotherapy to more melanoma patients.
Dr. Wolchok is a medical oncologist and immunotherapy researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), where he is the chief of Melanoma & Immunotherapeutics Service, the Lloyd J. Old/Virginia and Daniel K. Ludwig Chair in Clinical Investigation, the director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at MSK, and the associate director of the Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy. He is also an associate director of the Cancer Research Institute Scientific Advisory Council and chair of the CRI Clinical Trials Network. Dr. Wolchok has been at the forefront of cancer immunotherapy and is renowned for leading the clinical trials that led to the first FDA-approved checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, the anti-CTLA-4 antibody ipilimumab (Yervoy®). He directs a translational research laboratory focused on next-generation immunotherapies and combination therapies.
3:00 PM ET
12:00 PM PT
Immunotherapy is the most promising cancer treatment of our time. The CRI Virtual Immunotherapy Patient Summit was designed to educate and empower cancer patients and their caregivers to be active and confident participants in treatment decisions. Join Tamron Hall as she leaves us with parting words of inspiration and hope that will encourage you to continue to learn more about immunotherapy and its advances in treating many types of cancer. With your support and participation, the future looks bright. We hope to see you again at a future event. We invite you to visit our many online resources and schedule a virtual meeting with a CRI Clinical Trial Navigator below.
Welcome back! Tamron Hall kicks off Day 3 of our virtual summit to explore cancer immunotherapy even more in-depth. A stage 4 cancer survivor will share lessons from his cancer journey, followed by breakout sessions: your chance to “ask the expert” and hear about the latest in treatment advances for your specific area of interest. Moderated by Brian Brewer of the Cancer Research Institute and led by an immunotherapy specialist, breakout sessions are open to all attendees, so feel free to join more than one conversation. If you're new to the summit, revisit Day 1 for an understanding the science of immunotherapy, clinical trials, and patient experiences of cancer immunotherapy, and Day 2 for different cancer-specific breakout sessions.
9:05 AM ET
Oswald Peterson
Lung Cancer Veteran
No cancer patient has the same story or experience, but knowledge and self-advocacy help every patient on their journey. Oswald Peterson was severely ill and refused to accept the diagnosis of his local urgent care. Wanting the best care possible, he trekked all the way NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center from his home in Brooklyn, where he was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. He had nursed his mother during her battle with cancer, so he thought he knew the options that lay ahead: chemotherapy or radiation. However, his doctor recommended a newly approved immunotherapy instead, based on an analysis of his tumor’s biomarkers. Moreover, he was never alone in the hospital; his friends came to visit him daily and did not allow him to give up hope. Now with no evidence of disease, Oswald is excited to share lessons on choosing the best care provider, trying new treatments, and getting the support you need along your cancer journey.
In 2017, Oswald was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. His doctor told him that a newly approved PD-1 checkpoint immunotherapy was his best treatment option. He received the first infusion in February 2017 during a three-month hospital stay. Scans showed that the cancer shrank dramatically after his second infusion. He was able to put weight back on, resume work at his nonprofit, and get back to the gym. Oswald is now cancer-free and receives immunotherapy treatment every nine weeks. He is passionate about spreading the word about cancer immunotherapy research and treatment.
12:20 PM ET
9:20 AM PT
Philip Greenberg, M.D.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
More than 175,000 new cases of leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma are expected this year in the United States. Several immunotherapies are already FDA-approved, and ongoing research demonstrates even greater potential for new treatments, especially in adoptive cell therapy. Join Dr. Philip Greenberg, the head of immunology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in a Q&A discussion about different immunotherapies used in the treatment of blood cancers and new treatments in development to bring the benefits of immunotherapy to more patients.
Dr. Greenberg is the head of immunology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and a professor of medicine and immunology at the University of Washington. He is also a member of the CRI Scientific Advisory Council and has earned multiple grants for his laboratory research in immunotherapy. Dr. Greenberg is an internationally recognized expert in cancer immunotherapy, a form of treatment that aims to harness the power of immune cells to eliminate cancer. His early discoveries showed how to target diseases with T cells and helped drive this now-burgeoning field. For these contributions, he was awarded the 2011 William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Tumor Immunology. Now, he is focused on expanding the use of adoptive T cell immunotherapies to other cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer, so that more patients can benefit.
12:55 PM ET
9:55 AM PT
Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D., FACP
While colorectal cancer rates are dropping overall, a worrying trend is emerging: cases are rising in adults between the ages of 20-50. Given the necessity of early detection for current treatments, there is a growing need for effective treatments for advanced cases. Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer can be effective, especially in cases where tumors show high microsatellite instability. Join medical oncologist Dr. Scott Kopetz for a discussion of biomarkers, immunotherapies, and what patients with colorectal cancer need to know.
Dr. Kopetz is a board-certified medical oncologist in the gastrointestinal medical oncology department and vice chair for translational research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is committed to the multidisciplinary care of and translational research for GI cancer patients. His laboratory research is supported by multiple NIH-funded grants, and he serves as the principal investigator on multiple studies. At MD Anderson Cancer Center he leads the Colorectal Cancer Moonshot program, which provides seed funding to help translate promising ideas from the lab to the clinic, with the goal of improving patient outcomes in the near term. Dr. Kopetz is also the leader of the Gastrointestinal Program of the Cancer Center Support Grant, chair of the Colon Cancer Task Force, and vice chair for Colon Cancer in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABBP)/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTG)/Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) (NRG) Cooperative Group
1:30 PM ET
10:30 AM PT
Elizabeth M. Jaffee, M.D.
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
There are limited effective treatments for most patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. It is the world's most lethal cancer, and the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Pancreatic cancer patients are highly encouraged to seek clinical trials and many trials testing new immunotherapies are showing glimmers of hope. Join Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee, deputy director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and the associate director of the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, for a Q&A discussion about immunotherapies in clinical trials for pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Jaffee is an international leader in the development of immune-based therapies for pancreatic and breast cancers, specifically therapeutic vaccines. She is the Dana and Albert “Cubby” Broccoli Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University, where she also serves as the deputy director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and the associate director of the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. She the past chair of the National Cancer Advisory Board for the National Cancer Institute, a past president of the American Association for Cancer Research, and was recently elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Jaffee has received numerous awards in recognition of her contributions, including CRI’s 2019 William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Tumor Immunology. She is a member of the Cancer Research Institute Scientific Advisory Council and Clinical Leadership Team.
2:05 PM ET
11:05 AM PT
Saby George, M.D., FACP
Immunotherapy for kidney cancer—also called renal cell cancer—has tremendously changed the treatment landscape and overall survival of patients with metastatic kidney cancer. Doctors have seen positive results in combining immunotherapy with conventional treatments such as surgery, laparoscopy, ablation, and targeted therapy. Join medical oncologist Dr. Saby George in a Q&A session about combination therapies, clinical trials, and new promise in kidney cancer.
Dr. George is a medical oncologist specializing in the management of kidney, prostate, and bladder cancers. An attending physician and professor of oncology within the Department of Medicine at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, he is a passionate advocate of advancing patient care and quality of life through clinical research. Dr. George helped pave the way for approval of nivolumab, the ipilimumab/nivolumab combination, and similar checkpoint-inhibitor immunotherapies for treatment of some forms of kidney cancer through his role as Roswell Park site lead on several major international clinical trials. He continues to lead studies exploring emerging cancer therapies and treatment strategies. A Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Dr. George is board-certified in medical oncology. He holds an additional faculty appointment in the Department of Medicine within the University of Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
2:40 PM ET
11:40 AM PT
Terence Friedlander, M.D.
UC San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States and ninth most common worldwide. Immunotherapy for bladder cancer has a long history, including the first FDA-approved cancer vaccine—Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)—in 1990. New immunotherapies have significantly reduced the risk of recurrence for bladder cancer while also increasing the percentage of patients who see a complete response post-surgery. Dr. Terence Friedlander discusses the potential to further improve outcomes for patients with this disease and answers questions from the audience.
Dr. Friedlander is chief of hematology-oncology at Zuckerberg San Francisco General and an associate professor of medicine at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. He specializes in cancers of the genitourinary tract, specifically bladder and prostate cancers. Dr. Friedlander’s research is focused on understanding the basic biology of these malignancies and in developing novel therapeutic ways to treat disease. He collaborates with the UCSF Department of Urology to explore the predictive value of circulating tumor cells in these malignancies, and with the UCSF Cancer Immunotherapy Program to evaluate novel immune therapies for patients with cancer. In his clinical academic practice, he serves as principal investigator or co-investigator on a number of clinical trials in advanced prostate and bladder cancer. This collaboration spans from the bench to the bedside, with a goal to personalize and tailor therapies based on the individual patient.
3:15 PM ET
12:15 PM PT
Trisha Wise-Draper, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center
Immunotherapy offers exciting new treatment options for patients with cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, sinuses, nose, and salivary glands—especially those with HPV-related cancers. Conventional treatments have potentially devastating side effects for speaking, swallowing, and expression, so new options which preserve these functions are vital. Join medical oncologist Dr. Trisha Wise-Draper in a Q&A discussion about the use of new checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapies in head and neck cancer.
Dr. Wise-Draper is a medical oncologist specializing in head and neck cancer and cancer clinical trials, and is the medical director of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office. She is recognized for providing complex multidisciplinary cancer care and new cancer therapy options for patients that haven’t had success with standard therapies. Dr. Wise-Draper is nationally recognized for her research in the development of innovative cancer therapies by performing translational research on therapy resistance mechanisms and biomarker identification, specifically in head and neck cancer and other solid tumors. She is also the recipient of grants from the Department of Defense, American Cancer Society, and the NIH. She was named “Clinical Trialist of the Year” at the University of Cincinnati in 2019 after receiving the Rising Star Award in 2018, and has been selected as a “Cincinnati Top Doctor” every year since 2016.
3:55 PM ET
12:55 PM PT
Join Tamron Hall for final thoughts on the knowledge gained this day and encouragement to learn more about new advances in cancer immunotherapy. Cancer patients, caregivers, and advocates are vital for the future of these treatments—helping doctors and scientists gain better understanding of cancer and our immune system to ultimately save more lives. We’ll see you again at a future event. Visit our many online resources and schedule a virtual consultation with a CRI Clinical Trial Navigator below.
September 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Elizabeth
CRI Clinical Trial Navigator
Patrick
Want to learn more? The CRI Immunotherapy Clinical Trial Finder can help patients and their families who are seeking clinical trial options. We have curated a database of immunotherapy clinical trials that are currently open to enrollment. Our trained Clinical Trial Navigators can help you locate clinical trials specific to your personal diagnosis, treatment history, and circumstances. We’ve made it easy to schedule a confidential, one-on-one virtual consultation here. We’re delighted to be able to provide this service to you in English and Spanish. Our navigators look forward to talking with you to help you determine what is next in your cancer treatment journey or that of a loved one.
Thank you to our generous sponsors and institutional partners who have made this powerful program possible:
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Contributor
Friends
Host Institutions
Email Us: patients@cancerresearch.org