PICI Network Presenters at #ASH22: T-cell Exhaustion and More

Members of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) Network will present immuno-oncology research as it relates to hematological malignancies, at the 64th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition (#ASH22), Dec. 10-13 in New Orleans.

Andrea Schietinger, PhD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Evan Weber, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania will deliver oral presentations at the conference, held by the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and billed as the world’s most comprehensive hematology event of the year. Many other PICI Network members have contributed to research that will be presented by colleagues.

During the Dec. 10 scientific program, “Overcoming T-cell Burnout and Exhaustion,” Schietinger will provide insights into CD8 T cell differentiation in the context of cancer and autoimmunity, discussing:

• The molecular programs that drive tumor-reactive T cells into dysfunction/exhaustion
• How T cells can be reprogrammed for cancer therapy
• Novel insights into differentiation, function and heterogeneity of autoimmune T cells

The scientific program is from 2-3:15 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST). During the same program, Weber will present “An Integrated View of T-Cell Exhaustion.” He will:

• Provide an overview of CAR-T cell exhaustion biology
• Highlight recent advancements in overcoming CAR-T cell exhaustion
• Propose a conceptual framework to help inform the next generation of anti-exhaustion strategies

Weber, a 2021 Parker Bridge Fellow, also will discuss emerging evidence which suggests that exhaustion can manifest in CAR T cells through chronic CAR signaling, which is associated with poor response in patients. 

Schietinger also will participate in a Meet the Scientist program from 8-9 a.m. CST on Dec. 10.

Congratulations to Drs. Schietinger and Weber on the outstanding research and recognition.

The PICI Network members below are co-authors of the noted studies, which also will be presented at ASH.

• City of Hope
  • Stephen J. Forman, MD – Abstracts 119, 318, 442, 772, 779, 2017, 2061, 2104, 2253, 2683, 3371, 3374, 3381, 3382, 3400, 4051, 4073, 4239, 4687, 4741, 4766 and 4776

• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • Stephen Hodi, MD – Abstract 4577
  • Catherine J. Wu, MD – Abstracts 633, 636, 748, 2078, 2097, 2098, 3103, 3128, 4419, 4426, 4432 and 4577
  • Kai W. Wucherpfennig, MD, PhD – Abstract 1828

• Gladstone Institutes
  • Alex Marson, MD, PhD – Abstracts 707, 2660 and 3296

• Memorial Sloan Kettering
  • Alexander Lesokhin, MD – Abstracts 100, 158, 159, 174, 251, 470, 643, 752, 862, 992, 1924, 1940, 2213, 2219, 3225 and 3233
  • Neeta Pandit-Taskar, MD – Abstract 4645 
  • Marcel van den Brink, MD, PhD – Abstracts 263, 476, 2077, 2213, 2219 and 4726
  • Phillip Wong, PhD – Abstract 4183 

• Stanford University
  • Christopher Garcia, PhD – Abstract 355
  • Sydney Lu, MD, PhD – Abstract 934
  • Crystal Mackall, MD – Abstracts 543, 982, 2033, 3358, 4628, 4657, 4662 and 4674
  • Garry P. Nolan, PhD – Abstract 2796

• University of California, San Francisco
  • Justin Eyquem, PhD – Abstracts 3155 and 3296
  • James Rubenstein, MD, PhD – Abstract 1527

• University of Pennsylvania
  • Carl H. June, MD – Abstracts 355, 2016 and 4621

• MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD – Abstract 3000

Please note that all presentations are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit the meeting program. Follow the meeting live on Twitter using the hashtag #ASH22.