Introduction

This conference is now sold out!

We are living in very exciting times in the context of molecular oncology and in particular in the field of immuno-oncology. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction between the tumour and the immune system is revealing an attractive set of novel therapeutic approaches to treat cancer.

With some pronounced recent successes in this field, this is fuelling aggressive investigation, leading to new questions and challenges.

One of our most popular conferences, Defence is the Best Attack will be our fifth on this topic. Participants will learn about the most recent advances in the field of immunotherapy from the basic science to clinical studies, including the identification of novel targets. You will gain an improved understanding of the mechanisms of action of therapeutic interventions, and benefit from discussions about biomarkers of response to treatment and mechanisms of intrinsic and acquired resistance to immunotherapy.

Target audience

The target audience for this conference is basic and translational scientists and clinicians, both senior and young investigators that want to have a broad overview and detailed knowledge of the most recent advances in the field of immunotherapy. 

Topics to be covered:

• Immune checkpoints
• Innate immune response
• Microbioma
• Immune cell therapies
• Vaccines
• Biomarkers of response to immunotherapy
• Mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy 

Scientific Programme Committee

• Joan Seoane, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology VHIO, Barcelona, Spain (Chair)
• Josep Tabernero, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, VHIO, Barcelona, Spain
• Yardena Samuels, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot, Israel
• Ignacio Melero, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
• Sonia Guedan, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, IRB, Barcelona, Spain

Lay summary of the conference topic

Immunotherapies have shown substantial clinical activity for a subset of patients with cancer. Despite these encouraging results, a large fraction of patients does not respond or fully benefit from current immunotherapies. Most tumours need to evade the immune system in order to thrive. The understanding of how cancer escapes the immune system is crucial in order to identify novel therapeutic targets and approaches to expand the population of patients that could benefit from immunotherapies. In this meeting, top scientists in the field will present the latest discoveries related to the interaction of the immune system with tumours and show the new advances in immunotherapy with the aim of discussing how these therapies can improve the lives of patients.

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CosmoCaixa, Barcelona