Cancer experts to discuss latest developments and implications of cell therapies in oncology

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, one of the nation's top 50 cancer centers, will bring together leading cancer experts, for presentation and discussion of the latest developments and implications of cell therapy and interventional immunology in oncology, on Friday, June 7 from 7:00am to 1:30pm.

"I'm excited to bring together some of the nation's top immunology experts to review the latest developments and implications of cell therapies in oncology, both in solid and liquid tumors," said Andre Goy M.D., Cancer Center Director, and Chief of lymphoma, John Theurer Cancer Center and Chief Science Officer and Director of Research and Innovation of Regional Cancer Care Associates. "This will provide an opportunity to see where the field is going and discuss some of the mechanisms and applications of T-cell manipulation as a promising tool against a number of cancers. The preliminary results seen with these modified T-cells will likely be revolutionary in the treatment of cancer".

The conference, titled "Cell Therapy and Interventional Immunology: Current Developments and Implications", is designed for hematologists, oncologists, physicians, and medical professionals. Given the enormous impact and growing interest in those therapies, the conference will also be offered to patients and caregivers through live online streaming. Speakers will cover the biology and manufacturing aspects of the chimeric antigenic receptor (CAR) modified T-cells as well as other manipulation of T-cells and the immune system, which for the first time, seem to be translating into impressive activity in the clinic.

The conference speakers and presentations include:

• Catherine Bollard, MBChB, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Pathology & Immunology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine: Anti-EBV T-Cells and CAR T-Cells and Their Applications in Hematological Malignancies
• Renier J. Brentjens, M.D., Ph.D., Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: CAR Modified T-Cells for the Treatment of Cancer: Preclinical and Clinical Outcomes
• Daniel H. Fowler M.D., Senior Investigator, Center for Cancer Research. National Cancer Institute: TH-2 Amplification and Other strategies to Reduce GVHD and Improve Outcome in Allogeneic Transplantations.
• James N. Kochenderfer, M.D., Assistant Clinical Investigator, Center for cancer Research, National Cancer Institute: Autologous and Donor Derived Anti-CD19 CAR T-Cells Applications in non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and CLL
• Cameron J. Turtle, M.D., Ph.D., Acting Instructor, University of Washington and Research Associate, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center: Engineered Antigen Presenting Cells and T-Cells for Anti-Cancer Therapy

"Conferences such as this help physicians, medical professionals, as well as patients and caregivers to gain a better understanding of promising new treatment options, resulting in better clinical outcomes," said Andrew L. Pecora, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.P.E., Chief Innovations Officer, Professor, and Vice President of Cancer Services and President of Regional Cancer Care Associates, "John Theurer Cancer Center is committed to providing these conferences to improve patient care and education."