Program
Oct. 15-16, 2025, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
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Event Goals
The goals of this conference are to:
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Highlight cutting-edge scientific and clinical advancements in oncolytic viruses, cell and immunotherapies, and combination approaches that leverage both platforms, with a core focus on challenges and topics of interest to academic researchers in basic science
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Explore strategies to overcome key barriers to the development and implementation of these therapies, such as tumor heterogeneity, off-target effects, delivery limitations, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment
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Foster knowledge exchange, collaboration, and networking through scientific presentations, abstracts/poster sessions, and informal discussions
Learning Objectives
After participating in this conference, learners will be able to:
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Describe emerging technologies driving innovation in oncolytic viruses, cell therapies, and combinatorial approaches that leverage both platforms
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Discuss the mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential of oncolytic viruses and cell therapies
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Identify strategies for overcoming key barriers to therapeutic efficacy for cell and gene therapies in cancer, such as tumor heterogeneity, off-target effects, delivery limitations, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment
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Recognize opportunities to integrate viral and cellular platforms to enhance immune responses and improve therapeutic outcomes
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Discuss emerging trends and unanswered questions driving future research in oncolytic viruses, cell therapies, and their combinatorial use in cancer treatment
Day 1 - Wednesday, Oct. 15
All times listed are in ET
Registration, Poster Check In, Breakfast: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Welcome, Opening Remarks: 8:30 – 8:35 a.m.
Session 1: Oncolytic Viruses - New Paradigms: 8:35 – 9:50 a.m.
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John Bell, PhD, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute: Antibiotic-mediated selection of randomly mutagenized and cytokine-expressing oncolytic viruses
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Richard Vile, PhD, Mayo Clinic: Oncolytic Viruses as Lymphoeditors in Cancer Immunotherapy
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Eva Galanis, MD, Mayo: Carcinoembryonic antigen-expressing oncolytic measles virus derivative in recurrent glioblastoma: a phase 1 trial
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Group Q&A: 15 minutes
Break 1: 9:50 – 10:35 a.m.
Session 2: Cell Therapies - New Paradigms: 10:35 – 11:50 a.m.
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Renier Brentjens, MD, PhD, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center: Armored CAR T-cells for the treatment of solid tumors
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Todd Fehniger, MD, PhD, Washington University Medicine: Molecular programming and engineering NK cells for enhanced immunotherapy
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Leyuan Ma, PhD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: CAR T boosting vaccine and its unexpected bystander effects on solid tumor control
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Group Q&A: 15 minutes
Lunch + Exhibits: 11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.
Session 3: Cell and Viral Therapy Combinatorial Approaches: 12:50 – 1:50 p.m.
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Masataka Suzuki, PhD, Baylor: Combination treatment with Oncolytic Virus and CAR-T cell
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Sidi Chen, PhD, Yale: Gene editing for cell and gene therapy in oncology
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Group Q&A: 10 minutes
Break 2: 1:50 – 2 p.m.
Session 4: Barriers and Opportunities/Mechanisms of Resistance (1): 2 – 3 p.m.
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Balveen Kaur, PhD, Augusta University: IDH status dictates oHSV mediated metabolic reprogramming affecting anti-tumor immunity
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Maria Castro, PhD, University of Michigan Medical School: Epigenetic reprogramming of the tumor immune microenvironment impacts the efficacy of immune mediated gene therapies
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Group Q&A: 10 minutes
Break 3: 3 – 3:45 p.m.
Session 5 Abstracts: 3:45 – 5 p.m.
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Abstract 1: 15 minutes
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Abstract 2: 15 minutes
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Abstract 3: 15 minutes
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Abstract 4: 15 minutes
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Abstract 5: 15 minutes
Poster Viewing/Reception: 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Day 2 - Thursday, Oct. 16
All times listed are in ET
Session 1: Barriers and Opportunities/Mechanisms of Resistance (2): 8:30 – 9:45 a.m.
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Benjamin Deverman, PhD, Broad Institute: An AAV capsid reprogrammed to bind human Transferrin Receptor mediates brain-wide gene delivery
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David Liu, PhD, Harvard: Predicting resistant patients and therapeutic targets in immune checkpoint treated metastatic melanoma
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Group Q&A: 10 minutes
Break: 9:45 – 10:30 a.m.
Concluding Panel: 10:30 AM – 11:50 AM
- Evanthia Galanis, MD
- Maria Castro, PhD
- Todd Fehniger, MD, PhD
- Paola Grandi, PhD
- Final panelist pending
Closing Remarks: 11:50 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Thank You to the Planning Committee
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Paola Grandi, PhD
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Balveen Kaur, PhD
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Catherine Bollard, PhD
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Evanthia Galanis, MD
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Maria Castro, PhD
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Michael Milone, PhD, MD
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Saad Kenderian, PhD
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Sarwish Rafiq, PhD
Ready to Register?
Register for Adancing Cell + Gene Therapies for Cancer!