7:30 am Coffee & Registration
8:25 am Chairs’ Opening Remarks
From Bench to Bedside: Leveraging Tumor Models to Establish Relevant Biomarkers & Using Preclinical Data to Support an IND
8:30 am Identifying Potential Biomarkers Before Evaluating in the Clinic
Synopsis
- Pre-screening using human tumor-derived models
- What is the right model to use to identify biomarkers?
- What is the best experiment to conduct
9:00 am Current & Novel IO Drug Evaluation Methods via Humanized Mouse Models
Synopsis
- Introduction and history of IO drug development and the importance of using humanized mouse models to address specific questions
- Evaluation of current IO platforms and new methods from LIDE, including analysis of several case studies
- Understanding the spatiotemporal interaction between tissue-infiltrating immune cells and cancer cells via imaging mass cytometry
9:30 am Delving into the Translation Between Proof of Concept to Filing an IND
Synopsis
- Highlighting the different tumor models used to support IND filing
- Recommendations for approaching regulatory agencies
- Tailoring models to the needs and optimizing the design of experimental plans
10:00 am Morning Break & Networking
Applications in Drug Discovery & Screening
Track Moderator: Tamar Uziel, Scientific Director, Research Fellow; Precision Medicine Oncology, Translational Research, Lead, Abbvie
11:00 am Pediatric Brain PDX Models for Preclinical Drug Development
Synopsis
- Feasibility and robustness of a tumor-tracking optical imaging system in PDX models Â
- Single mouse trial as a screening tool to characterize PDX cohorts and identify the most efficacious compounds in vivo to overcome the lack of clinical trials for pediatric cancer
- Preclinical validation set, including molecular characterization of donor patient and PDXÂ
11:30 am Mastermind Discussions: Elucidating the Value of Using 3D Tissue Models for Drug Screening & Precision Medicine
Synopsis
- Evaluating the pros and cons of 3D tissues over a standard cell culture
- How can organoids be used to reproducibly address circulation?
- Moving towards standardized protocols when using organoids
Applications for Efficacy Evaluation & Biomarker Discovery
Track Moderator: Erin Trachet, Senior Director, Scientific Engagement, Translational Drug Development (TD2)
11:00 am Elucidating a Novel & Translatable Approach to Leveraging PDX Models
Synopsis
- Using growth factors from mice to grow tumors
- Delving into the discovery of a novel compound and its impact on tumor growth
- Targeting the over-expression of wolframin to increase endoplasmic reticulum stress causing the death and regression of tumors
11:30 am Engineered Microfluidic Tumor Models to Interrogate Cancer Cell Therapy Resistance Mechanisms
Synopsis
- Examining critical gaps in the translational development of cell therapies that limit their efficacy in the clinic
- Exploring engineered platforms to study cell therapy activity in diverse patient samples
- Elucidating the mechanisms that limit cell therapy activity can enable researchers to ‘fail fast’ and improve candidate selection
12:00 pm Lunch Break & Networking
1:00 pm Mastermind Discussion: Assessing the Range of Tumor Models & Their Effectivity in Studying Varying Targets
Synopsis
- Reflecting on the recent advances in 3D tissues, humanized mouse, and in vitro models
- How do you effectively select which model to use?
- Defining which models are best for safety, tolerability, or efficacy
1:30 pm Addressing Patient Resistance & Toxicity by Moving Towards Combination Therapies
Synopsis
- Overcoming technical roadblocks when studying combination therapies
- Finding the optimal dose to reduce toxicity
- Combining a typical xenograft model to represent the target and syngeneic models to represent the tumor microenvironment
1:00 pm Developing Mouse Models for the Preclinical Evaluation of Bispecific Antibodies & Cell Therapies
Synopsis
- Highlighting the evolution in models to enhance CAR-T cells research
- Advances in accompanying technology for more clinically relevant models
1:30 pm Development of ADC: Use of Model Systems for Understanding Mechanisms, Prioritization and Optimization of T-DXd and Combinations
Synopsis
- Evaluating the pros and cons of in vitro and in vivo models to facilitate preclinical to clinical translation
- Improving the ability to predict the efficacy and toxicity of ADC combinations
- Using combination mechanisms to select model systems
2:00 pm Afternoon Break & Networking
Leveraging Omics Technology & Data to Better Characterize Tumor Microenvironment & Cellular Interactions
2:45 pm Using Multiplex Immunofluorescence to Unlock the Immune Signatures in Solid Tumors
Synopsis
- Establishing and managing a tumor specimen biobank
- Identifying immune signatures within solid tumors
- Analyzing the immune context to guide patient stratification in clinical trials
3:15 pm Enter a New Era of Cancer Research with Spatial Biology
Synopsis
- Identifying and choosing the right spatial genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic technologies
- Precisely characterize the tumor microenvironment, cellular interactions, and microanatomical structures
- Using spatial transcriptomics and biology to understand and model tumor heterogeneity