CICON24 Recap: Key Breakthroughs and Bold Conversations Shaping the Future of Immunotherapy

The Cancer Immunotherapy Conference (CICON24) opened with a palpable sense of urgency and optimism, bringing together the brightest minds in immuno-oncology to discuss transformative advances in cancer treatment. Co-hosted by the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) and the European Network for Cancer Immunotherapy (ENCI) from September 8-11 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD, CICON24 set the stage for the future of immunotherapy. Through breakthrough research, bold initiatives, and critical discussions, the conference underscored the innovations that are pushing the boundaries of cancer care. Here is a recap of the pivotal moments shaping the path forward.

Immunotherapy is all about science and science translating into real treatments.”

Elizabeth Jaffee, MD, deputy director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, associate director of CRI’s Scientific Advisory Council

Day 1

The first day commenced with a focus on neoadjuvant and platform trials. Mark Yarchoan, MD, from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, showcased groundbreaking research on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), where neoadjuvant therapies shrink tumors and even convert previously inoperable cases into resectable ones. His work offers renewed hope for patients with advanced-stage cancers. Luis Diaz, MD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, followed with an exciting breakthrough in mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd) in colorectal cancer. He demonstrated how temozolomide and cisplatin could sensitize resistant tumors to anti-PD1 therapy, opening new treatment possibilities. CRI Clinical Accelerator, Clinical Leadership Committee member, and Scientific Advisory Council Associate Director Elizabeth M. Jaffee, MD, from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, concluded the session with pioneering research on pancreatic cancer, combining a cancer vaccine with anti-PD1 therapy. Her results showed enhanced T cell activation, pointing to new strategies for treating one of the most challenging cancers.

As the day progressed, the conference shifted toward multi-omic data analysis, an increasingly important tool in understanding cancer’s complexity. Max Krummel, PhD, from the University of California, San Francisco, introduced immune archetypes to track patterns of immune cell activity within tumors, urging collaboration to fast-track new therapies. Dana Pe’er, PhD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, advanced the discussion by cautioning against oversimplified approaches and unveiling the spectral factor analysis, a novel method to differentiate between tumor-reactive and exhausted T cells.

Immunology is entering the big data era, with lots of potential applications like how we can use machine learning to study detailed structure of particular cell type.”

Qin Zhu, PhD, from the University of California, San Francisco, CRI Immuno-Informatics Fellow

Day one concluded with a deep dive into tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and their role in regulating anti-cancer immunity. CRI CLIP Investigator Nir Hacohen, PhD, from Massachusetts General Hospital and Wolf Hervé Fridman, MD, PhD, from Cordeliers Research Center in Paris, explained how TLS shapes the tumor’s response to immunotherapy. CRI Postdoctoral Fellow Kevin Ng, PhD, from The Rockefeller University, further illuminated germinal centers in tumors, revealing their potential to produce tumor-eradicating antibodies.

Day 2

Day two kicked off with an inspiring keynote from Cathy Wu, MD, from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She highlighted the transformative potential of cancer vaccines, particularly in leveraging neoantigens to create lasting immune responses. While challenges in cost and manufacturing remain, her work signals hope for more personalized and durable cancer treatments.

Morning sessions transitioned to discussions on immune health and inflammation.  CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR Amanda Lund, PhD, from New York University, explored how the lymphatic system shapes the immune landscape in cancer. Dr. Lund shared compelling research showing how blocking IFN-γ in a mouse model of melanoma can increase lymphatic vessel formation, providing new insights into overcoming immunotherapy resistance. CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR Matthew Spitzer, PhD, from the University of California, San Francisco, followed with his study on T cell exhaustion and the suppressive role of neutrophils in the immune response.

We are at a point in immunotherapy that we have to come out of our silos and integrate…and conferences like CICON24 are bringing people together.”

Amanda Lund, PhD, New York University, CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR (2019)

The second day also introduced new tools for precision medicine. Allie Greenplate, PhD, from the University of Pennsylvania, presented a workflow leveraging Penn Medicine’s PENNSIEVE platform to gather immune data. Meanwhile, James Reading, PhD, from University College London, discussed intercepting lung squamous carcinogenesis through the targeting of preinvasive CD4 T cells and regulatory T cells.

In the late morning, the focus shifted to myeloid cells. Gregory Beatty, MD, PhD, from the University of Pennsylvania, explained how activating CD40 can trigger diverse immune responses in tumors, providing a blueprint for harnessing the immune system to attack cancer. CRI Scientific Advisory Council member Ming Li, PhD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, presented research on reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages, offering a strategy to suppress cancer progression.

The afternoon closed with a high-energy panel on the future of immunotherapy, where experts like Drs. Pe’er and Hacohen discussed advancements in spatial transcriptomics, AI-driven models, and RNA-based therapeutics. In the evening, a session led by emerging scientists presented cutting-edge research, and  CRI Postdoctoral Fellow Raymond Shim, PhD, from the University of Calgary, discussed how sympathetic nerves drive liver metastases. Additionally, CRI Postdoctoral Fellow Chiara Falcomata, PhD, from Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, presented her research on tumor immune composition in pancreatic cancer.

Day 3

Day three maintained the momentum with groundbreaking presentations. Diane Mathis, PhD, from Harvard Medical School, delivered the prestigious William B. Coley Lecture, shedding light on thymic mimetic cells and their role in T cell tolerance. Her talk set the tone for the day’s focus on how metabolism and the microbiome influence immunotherapy. Hongbo Chi, PhD, from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, revealed strategies for enhancing T cell immunity through metabolic reprogramming, offering hope for optimizing cancer responses. CRI Clinical Innovator Marina Baretti, MD, from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, followed with her research on targeting glutamine metabolism in fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), offering new hope for improving immunotherapy in this rare cancer. CRI Postdoctoral Fellow Shixin Ma, PhD, from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, discussed how nutrient-driven histone codes affect T cell exhaustion, presenting potential ways to rejuvenate exhausted T cells. CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR Ping-Chih Ho, PhD, from the University of Lausanne/Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research, further explored mitochondrial stress in the tumor microenvironment, revealing its role in T cell dysfunction. CRI Scientific Advisory Council member and CRI CLIP Investigator Susan Kaech, PhD, from the Salk Institute, examined metabolic interactions in liver cancer, focusing on how lipid oxidation and elevated bile acids contribute to T cell stress.

CRI Scientific Advisory Council member Jennifer Wargo, MD, from MD Anderson Cancer Center, delved into the gut microbiome’s influence on immunotherapy, presenting compelling evidence that specific microbes and fiber-rich diets can boost treatment outcomes. Andrew Koh, MD, from UT Southwestern Medical Center, built on this by discussing fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) and their potential to enhance immunotherapy responses in cancer patients. CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR Tal Danino, PhD, from Columbia University, presented groundbreaking research on engineering bacteria for cancer treatment, that centers on utilizing the distinct characteristics of bacteria to precisely target tumors and deliver therapeutic agents.

We had a lot of chances to collaborate about how we can use the new technologies.”

Ping Chih Ho, PhD, University of Lausanne/Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research, CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR

Day 4

The final day, led by CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR Yvonne Chen, PhD, from UCLA, offered a glimpse into the future of cancer care. Breakthroughs in cellular therapies and cancer vaccines took center stage, with Magnus Essand, PhD, from Uppsala University, showcasing exciting advancements in CAR T cell therapy for glioblastoma. Maria Themeli, PhD, from the University of Amsterdam, introduced innovative multi-targeting strategies to enhance CAR T precision. Vinod Balachandran, MD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, wrapped up the day by presenting promising developments in RNA vaccines targeting neoantigens in pancreatic cancer, offering hope for a cancer that remains one of the most difficult to treat.

As CICON24 came to a close, the sense of momentum and innovation was unmistakable. The four days were filled with groundbreaking discoveries, fostering collaborations that promise to reshape the future of cancer treatment. With so many breakthroughs on the horizon, immunotherapy stands poised to unlock new possibilities in the fight against cancer. The energy and optimism that permeated the conference leaves no doubt that we are entering a new era, where together we can create a world immune to cancer.