8:50 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
Addressing the Demand for Clinically Relevant Mouse Models for Immunotherapy
Synopsis
Recent breakthroughs involving humanized mice have elevated the translational quality of these models within preclinical IO research. This session will explore preclinical investigations to better model human tumor and human immune system interaction through the use of humanized models. Particular emphasis will be given to the challenges, insights, and future directions for mouse and humanized models in cancer immunology and immunotherapy
9:00 am Patient-Derived Tumor Xenografts in Humanized NSG-SGM3 Mice: A New Immuno-Oncology Platform
Synopsis
• The addition of 3 human cytokines (GM-CSF, IL-3 & Kit Ligand) into the NSG mouse provide for a more robust myeloid compartment after humanization
• Showcase data on the myeloid engraftment kinetics and also show checkpoint inhibitor efficacy against several PDX
9:30 am Breaking Down the Current Variety of Syngeneics Available for Better Model Selection
Synopsis
• Assess the current landscape of syngeneic models that are available for IO research
• Discuss the limitations of these models and how they can be accounted for as part of the research process
10:00 am Speed Networking
11:00 am New Genetically Engineered Mouse Models for Brain Cancer & their IO Applications
Synopsis
• Utilizing MADR single-copy somatic transgenic genetic platform to enable rapid and flexible modeling of tumors that show high correspondence with patient cancers
• Demonstrating MADR’s utility in the single-cell resolution investigation of tumor and immune interactions
• Examples of exploiting the MADR system for preclinical therapeutic discovery and testing
11:30 am Developing a Mouse Tumor Homograft Model Platform (MuPrime™) for Immuno-Oncology Drug Discovery
Synopsis
• GEMM-derived mouse tumor homografts (MuPrime) adds to the portfolio of tumor models for efficacy evaluation of therapeutic antibodies for cancer immunotherapies
• A mouse version of PDX in fully functional mouse Myanmar95
• Immune system that recapitulates molecular signatures of human tumors
12:00 pm Panel Discussion: Taking a Step Back – How Can the Preclinical Oncology Field Work Together to Improve the Success Rate of IO Therapeutics?
Synopsis
Steering the candidates with the most potential to the clinic is a difficult task, but one that in the end benefits patients and industry alike. Advancing the field onwards is a task will require collaboration between academia and industry; in vivo and in vitro teams alike. In this panel we’ll discuss where the main ‘sticking points’ are that prevent efficient pipeline advancement?
12:30 pm Lunch & Networking
Recapitulating the Immunological Complexity of the Tumor In Vivo and Vitro Models
Synopsis
The complexity of solid tumors is so extensive that it can be hard for even the most experience immuneoncologist to get their head around. How you can confidently predict the potential knock-on effects that your treatment will have on the tumor and the host is the goal of this session. Bringing together immunological and oncological perspectives, how do you make sure that you choose the right in vivo models to find out the most important info?
1:30 pm Importance of Microenvironment in Evaluating IO Therapy Response in Humanized Mouse Models
Synopsis
• Basis of osteoimmunology and the potential of targeting immune cells in bone metastasis
• Effects of microenvironment on tumor growth and efficacy of immunotherapy
1:45 pm Profiling of Myeloid Cell Subsets Across Murine Tumor Models to Define Novel Mechanisms Regulating the Anti-Tumor Immune Response
Synopsis
- Myeloid cell subset composition varies across different tumor models and normal tissues
- Categorizing tumor models based on myeloid and lymphoid profiles and response to immune checkpoint blockade can be used to identify mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy and define clinically-relevant therapeutic combinations
2:15 pm Identifying Predictive & Prognostic Biomarkers through Preclinical Modeling of Syngeneic Tumors
Synopsis
• Evading the host immune response is a recognized hallmark of cancer
• Comprehensive analysis of the immune cells in immunocompetent tumor models is essential for the development of novel therapies and understanding their mechanism of action in vivo
• We have accumulated data from different model systems to identify key differences between tumors that respond (hot) or do not respond (cold) to immunomodulatory agents
2:30 pm GEMM-Derived Allograft Models of Pancreatic Cancer: Valuable Tool for Preclinical Evaluation of Combinatorial Immunotherapies
Synopsis
• Development and characterization of gemm-derived allograft models – advantages over classical syngeneics, and recapitulation of immune and stromal contexture of human PDAC
• Utility to evaluation immunotherapy combinations to inflame immunologically cold checkpoint refractory tumors
3:00 pm Afternoon Refreshments & Networking
3:15 pm
Enhancing Preclinical Testing & Improve Translatability of IO Therapeutics with Novel Technologies
Synopsis
The current tools in the preclinical oncologist’s toolkit have served well, but there is a constant need for scientists to widen their array of capabilities to be able to tackle any challenge that may arise. In this section we will look at the unique methods and tools that are being used today to improve the quality and efficiency of current preclinical and translational research.
3:30 pm 3D Bioprinting in vitro Tumor Models
Synopsis
• Bioprinting cancer cells to construct in vitro tumor models
• Bioprinting personalised tumor models
• Study chemoresistance, MMP expressions, gene expressions, etc
4:00 pm Emerging Preclinical Models in Oncology: Ex Vivo Platforms & Humanized Mouse Models
Synopsis
• Hematologic malignancies – #thestruggleisreal – challenges and opportunities of modeling disease ex vivo
• Using humanized mouse models to dissect T cell responses for Immuno-oncology therapeutics
• NK Cells therapeutics: Novel humanized in vivo models for innate immune intervention
4:30 pm Multiplex Immunoassays for Tumor Profiling
Synopsis
• Understand the role of Multiplex immunoassays in Immuno-Oncology therapeutic development
• Fully assess the capabilities of this technology and how it can be best applied in development