Roswell Park Leaders Share Immunotherapy Expertise at International Bridge Meetings

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Some of the world’s leading oncologists are gathered in Naples, Italy, this week for a pair of meetings focused on the latest research in cancer immunotherapy and treatment of melanoma, a form of skin cancer. The tandem Immunotherapy Bridge and Melanoma Bridge meetings enable important exchanges led by some of the world’s most esteemed experts in oncology and immunotherapy, says Igor Puzanov, MD, MSci, FACP, of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, who is a co-chair of both international meetings.

“The Immunotherapy and Melanoma Bridge meetings have quickly become one of the most important gatherings for cancer researchers. New therapies and clinical evidence are emerging so quickly, and these conversations are an incredible opportunity to bring together some of the best minds in our field to help raise and address the most pressing questions before us as clinicians,” says Dr. Puzanov, Chief of Melanoma and Director of the Early-Phase Clinical Trials program at Roswell Park. “This is an incredible opportunity for oncologists around the world to hear directly from immunotherapy pioneers like my Roswell Park colleagues Dr. Kunle Odunsi and Dr. Marc Ernstoff.”

Dr. Puzanov, Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, FRCOG, FACOG, Deputy Director, Chair of Gynecologic Oncology and Executive Director of the Center for Immunotherapy at Roswell Park, and Marc Ernstoff, MD, the Katherine Anne Gioia Chair of Medicine at Roswell Park, will collectively lead more than a dozen sessions across the two meetings.

For the Immunotherapy Bridge Meeting, which opened today and continues through Dec. 5 at the Royal Continental Hotel, Naples, Dr. Puzanov is a presenter for seven discussions:

• Immunotherapy in Urothelial Cancer
• Immunoscore in Clinical Practice
• Use of CAR-T in Solid Tumors
• Is ADCC Important for Anti-CTLA-4 MoA?
• The Brain is Just Another Organ?
• Microbiota or Nutrition?
• Is Chemotherapy Immunostimulatory or Immunosuppressive?

He is also co-chair of the Great Debate session and presenter, along with his two meeting co-chairs, during the wrap-up Conclusions session.

Dr. Odunsi is sole presenter of a segment on the topic “Where are we Going With Immunotherapy for Ovarian Cancer?” and co-presenter for two presentations on the use of CAR-T, or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, in solid tumors.

For the Melanoma Bridge 2019 meeting at the Royal Continental Hotel, Naples, from December 5 to December 7:

• Dr. Ernstoff is sole presenter of the discussion “The Role of Melanoma-Derived Exosomes in Modifying the Tumor Microenvironment”
• Dr. Puzanov is co-presenter for a session on oral communication and for a presentation and a panel discussion within the Great Debate session, both on the topic of adoptive cell therapy before or in combination with checkpoint inhibitors

Dr. Puzanov will also contribute to the Conclusions session at the Melanoma Bridge meeting as one of three co-chairs.

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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.