The Nobel Prize for Medicine Jim Allison opens the “VI Siena Think Tank”
It will be the Nobel Prize for Medicine, Jim Allison, to open the International Congress of Immuno-Oncology “VI Siena Think Tank”, which takes place in Siena from 6 to 8 October. Professor Allison, Nobel Prize in Medicine 2018 and Professor of Immunology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, with his studies has paved the way for the development of new immunotherapy drugs that, in recent years have revolutionized the effectiveness of cancer treatment. The meeting, held at the Hotel Garden, is organized by the Immuno-Oncology Center (CIO) of the Sienese University Hospital, directed by Professor Michele Maio, with the NIBIT Foundation – Italian Network for Cancer Biotherapy, chaired by Maio himself, together with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy of San Francisco and the World Immunotherapy Council.
This is an appointment that has now become fundamental in the world of international oncology, for an open and constructive dialogue between medical oncologists, clinical and pre-clinical researchers, industry and investors to carry out ideas and projects on the cancer immunotherapy of the future. «It is an important opportunity for professional exchange – explains Professor Maio – and for continuous scientific comparison between all the international stakeholders and experts who have jointly developed the new cancer immunological therapies. In fact, during the event it is necessary to world-famous people will discuss together on pre-selected topics concerning clinical, translational and pre-clinical research, involving the participants in a highly interactive part. The objectives of the meeting – continues Maio – will be: to share the vision on specific themes fundamental for the treatment of cancer in the years to come; implement new preclinical, clinical and educational collaborations between participants and with the organizational and financial support of scientific co-organizers; projects projects and research ideas by preselected young researchers in the identified themes; generate a ‘White Paper’, that is, a document illustrating in detail the shared future perspectives of cancer treatment ».
In particular, Professor Allison’s lectio magistralis will be held on Thursday 6 October, at 6.30 pm, on the role of CTLA4 in the therapeutic combinations available for different types of cancer, thus highlighting how to act on the mechanisms by which the cells of the immune system attack and they destroy cancer cells.
The conclusions of the meeting will be handled by Michele Maio together with Bernie Fox, President of the World Immunotherapy Council and Ramy Ibrahim of the Parker Institute.