Workshop – IMMUNO-model

Workshop – Models, Challenges And Promises Of Advanced Therapies For Cancer: Nk Cells In The Clinic And Industry

Super Admin — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:10:19 +0000

The @immunomodel COST Action workshop MODELS, CHALLENGES AND PROMISES OF ADVANCED THERAPIES FOR CANCER: NK CELLS IN THE CLINIC AND INDUSTRY, organized by @MarValesLab CNB-CSIC, brought together leading international experts to discuss the latest advances in translating NK cell research to the clinic. The meeting featured cutting-edge scientific talks and highly interactive discussions. Particularly engaging were the round tables with regulatory agencies and industry representatives as well as investors, which explored key challenges in moving advanced cell therapies from the laboratory to clinical and commercial development. The event provided an excellent platform for scientific exchange and for strengthening collaborations in the field of NK cell immunotherapy.

IMMUNO-model Final Conference: Building Bridges in Cancer Immunotherapy Modelling

Super Admin — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:08:34 +0000

Date and place: 20-22 May 2026, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia

We are delighted to announce the Final IMMUNO-model Annual Conference – Building Bridges in Cancer Immunotherapy Modelling, where we will celebrate the culmination of four years dedicated to fostering research and innovation in the field of preclinical immuno-oncology models. This event will bring together researchers, clinicians and industry partners, to exchange insights and celebrate the achievements of IMMUNO-model community.

The conference will include a scientific program with lectures and poster presentations, as well as
roundtable discussions and opportunities for face-to-face meetings with industry. These interactions
aim to facilitate new collaborations and accelerate the translation of fundamental immuno-oncology
research into treatment advances for patients.

The conference will also host the TGRC Symposium, which will explore gender from both a scientific
and a structural perspective, featuring sessions on gender equality in research and clinical practice, the impact of sex differences on immunology and immunotherapy, and the relevance of incorporating
gender into advanced experimental models. The programme includes invited expert talks, a panel
discussion, and an industry pitching and networking session designed to foster interaction and new
opportunities for collaboration.

The final conference agenda – featuring keynote speakers, invited talks, and short presentations across seven sessions – is now available here.

Book of Abstracts is now available here.

If you would like to join us online please follow this link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/336034053048276?p=F3Ob9o937OBjaLLC6K

Meeting Venue National Institute of Biology (NIB)l, 121 Večna pot, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia,
https://www.nib.si/eng/

GOOGLEMAPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hy3uhgaKoeRb4Xmb6

The National Institute of Biology (NIB) is a leading public research institute in the field of biology and
related natural and environmental sciences in Slovenia.

Reimbursement Speakers and abstract presenters will be eligible for travel reimbursement subject to budget availability and in line with COST Travel Reimbursement Rules (https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2025/11/COST-TRR-Rules-2025-2026.pdf). Priority will be given to IMMUNO-model COST Action members. Successful participants will be notified by 6th of April 2026.

Key Dates

Registration opens: 19/01/2026 – 20/03/2026
Deadline for in-person final registration: 06/04/2026
Deadline for online registration: 06/04/2026
Deadline for Abstract submission: 19/01/2026 – 20/03/2026
Decision and notification of Abstract and reimbursement acceptance: 06/04/2026

TIPS FOR TRAVEL

TRANSPORT

Coming from Jože Pučnik (Brnik) Ljubljana airport:
Buses: https://www.lju-airport.si/en/transport/bus/
you can book it in advance: https://www.nomago.si/en/shuttle/ljubljana-airport
GoOpti shuttle: https://www.goopti.com/en/
Train station in Ljubljana: https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/poi/ljubljana-railway-station/
Transport in the city of Ljubljana:
Walk, rent a bike https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/travel-information/gettingaround/bicikelj/
For the city bus (LPP) you can use Urbana app, you can get Urbana card or you can simply pay with
your credit card on the bus: https://www.lpp.si/en/payment-methods

RECOMMENDED PLACES TO STAY

ČAD

GOSTILNA, HOTEL, BISTRO ČAD
Cesta na Rožnik 18, 1000 Ljubljana
Contact: https://hotel-cad.si/
walking distance to NIB: 1,8 km/23 min
driving distance to NIB: 1,8 km/2 min
Bus (LPP): line no. 18
walking distance to city centre: 30 min
driving distance to city centre: 3,2 km/10 min

Tivoli boutique inn

Žibertova 15, 1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia | Europe
+386 (0) 59 731 731
info@tivoliboutiqueinn.com
https://tivoliboutiqueinn.com/index.html
walking distance to NIB: 5 km/48 min
driving distance to NIB: 5 km/12 min
Bus (LPP): line no. 18
walking distance to city centre: 20 min
driving distance to city centre: 2 km/ 5 min

InterContinental Ljubljana

Slovenska cesta 59 Ljubljana 1000
Contact: https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/ljubljana/ljuha/hoteldetail
walking distance to NIB: 4.3 km/51 min
driving distance to NIB: 4,3 km/10 min
Bus (LPP): several+ line no. 18, 19 min
walking distance to city centre: 10 min
driving distance to city centre: 1 km/5 min

Cityhotel Ljubljana

Dalmatinova ulica 15, 1000 Ljubljana
Contact: https://www.cityhotel.si/en/
walking distance to NIB: 3.7 km/51 min
driving distance to NIB: 4,5 km/11 min
Bus (LPP): several+ line no. 18, 19 min
walking distance to city centre: 1 min
driving distance to city centre: 100 m/1 min

Hotel Slon Ljubljana

Slovenska cesta 34 Ljubljana 1000 Slovenia
Contact: https://www.hotelslon.com/
walking distance to NIB: 4.8 km/44 min
driving distance to NIB: 4,8 km/13 min
Bus (LPP) line no. 18: 16 min
walking distance to city centre: 3min

Four Points by Sheraton Ljubljana Mons

Pot za Brdom 4, Ljubljana, 1000 Slovenia
Contact: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ljufp-four-points-ljubljana-mons/overview/
walking distance to NIB: 1,9 km/27 min
driving distance to NIB: 3,1 km/6 min
Bus (LPP)/walking distance to city centre: 1h

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION

Barbara Breznik; barbara.brenzik@nib.si
Metka Novak; metka.novak@nib.si

Registrations are now open for IMMUNO-model event: ‘Modelling Immunotherapy in 3D: Bridging the Gap to the Clinic

Super Admin — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:09:01 +0000

Join us for this hybrid international symposium exploring the latest advances in 3D modelling of immunotherapy, from patient-derived organoids and tumour-on-chip platforms to innovative preclinical models that bring research closer to clinical application.

This event will be held on the 9th February 2026 in Barcelona, at the Science Museum COSMOCAIXA and will feature leading international experts, amongst those who already confirmed participation:

Frances Balkwill – Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London (London, UK).
Calvin J. Kuo – Stanford University School of Medicine (Palo Alto, USA).
Maria Carla Parrini – Institut Curie, INSERM, Paris (FR).

Download full program here.

Download Book of Abstracts here.

Who should attend?
Researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals in cancer immunotherapy, translational oncology, and preclinical modelling.

IMMUNO-model members will have the opportunity of presenting their work. For this event, IMMUNO-Model COST Action will financially support some attendants with oral presentations. Selected presenters will be eligible to receive reimbursement for travel and accommodation costs, in line with COST Travel Reimbursement Rules, and subject to funds availability.

Important dates:

05/11/2025: Registration opens for abstract submissions and passive attendance
15/12/2025: Deadline for submitting abstracts and passive attendance
12/01/2026: Confirmation of admission at the event for both abstract presenters and passive attendance

For more information, please follow our social media channels!

NK cells in the clinic workshop in Madrid

Super Admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:10:19 +0000

The symposium ‘MODELS, CHALLENGES AND PROMISES OF ADVANCED THERAPIES FOR CANCER: NK CELLS IN THE CLINIC AND INDUSTRY’, has a waiting list. Please let us know if you do not plan to attend in person, so that we can accommodate everyone.

The event will be held at the Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC) in Madrid, March 5-6, 2026 and will bring together researchers, clinicians and industry experts, offering a unique platform to share recent efforts in innovation on advanced therapies.

The scientific sessions will include keynote talks by international scientists and clinicians, experts in the transfer of new therapies to the clinic and industry. As a novelty, we will have several roundtables in which invited specialists will discuss other crucial aspects to consider when planning translational research such as regulatory issues, how to work in a clean room and business aspects. Talks and roundtables will include these topics:

Talks by experts: Tumour recognition by NK cells, NK cell enhancer biomolecules, Successful NK cell-based therapies in the clinics

Roundtable 1: Regulatory aspects: how to understand guidelines for experimental design, how to reach regulatory agencies

Roundtable 2: The clean room and therapeutics production

Roundtable 3: Advanced therapies from the lab to industry. Science, investment and business aspects

More information for attendees (venue, cafeterias on campus) and the program can be found in these links

Save the Date! Modelling Immunotherapy in 3D: Bridging the Gap to the Clinic

Super Admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 14:36:33 +0000

When: February 9th, 2026
Where: To be confirmed in Barcelona (ES)

Join us for a one-day international symposium exploring the latest advances in 3D modelling of immunotherapy, from patient-derived organoids and tumour-on-chip platforms to innovative preclinical models that bring research closer to clinical application.

The event will feature leading international experts, amongst those who already confirmed participation:

Emile Voest – The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), Amsterdam (NL)
Frances Balkwill – Barts Cancer Institute, London (UK)
Calvin J. Kuo – Stanford University (USA)
Maria Carla Parrini – Institut Curie, INSERM, Paris (FR)

Who should attend?
Researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals in cancer immunotherapy, translational oncology, and preclinical modelling.

IMMUNO-model members will have the opportunity of presenting their work.

Hybrid format: Attend in person in Barcelona or join us online.

→ Registrations will open at the end of October 2025!

3rd IMMUNO-model TGRC Workshop: Young Researchers and Innovators on Immunotherapies – IPO Porto, 25 September 2025

Super Admin — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:42:36 +0000

The 3rd IMMUNO-model TGRC Workshop, titled “Young Researchers and Innovators on Immunotherapies: The Future is Now”, took place at IPO Porto, Portugal, on 25 September 2025, in a hybrid format. The workshop brought together 61 participants in total, including early-career researchers from 13 countries and international experts, to share the latest advances in immunotherapy and foster scientific collaboration.

The event opened with a welcome from Prof. Carmen Jerónimo, Director of the IPO Porto Research Center, who highlighted the transformative potential of immuno-oncology research for patient care. Dr. Júlio Oliveira, President of the IPO Porto Board of Directors, stressed IPO Porto’s commitment to nurturing young researchers and fostering initiatives that link scientific discovery with clinical application.

The scientific programme featured 12 selected oral presentations and multiple poster contributions, highlighting novel preclinical models and innovative therapeutic strategies, with studies exploring tumor-immune interactions, combination therapies, and mechanisms of response and resistance to immunotherapy.

The meeting also included presentations by distinguished speakers – Elena Hoffer (Alma.me, Sweden), Paula Videira (NOVA FCT, Portugal), Thiago Carvalho (Fellowsherpa SL, Spain), Leticia Oliveira-Ferrer (UKE, Germany), and Eva Martinez-Balibrea (IGTP, Spain) – who emphasized the importance of transversal skills for early-career researchers, including career planning, science communication, grant writing, and fostering international collaborations.

The workshop concluded with a roundtable discussion on career trajectories and motivations, followed by the presentation of awards for the best oral and poster contributions and a networking session that encouraged scientific exchange and fostered collaborations across Europe.

From the perspective of IMMUNO-model, the workshop highlighted the vibrancy and talent of Europe’s young immuno-oncology community. Importantly, it demonstrated how innovative research is translating discoveries into preclinical models capable of studying tumor response and resistance to immunotherapy, while fostering networking and cross-border collaborations that reinforce the pathway from bench to bedside and ultimately aim to improve patient outcomes.

“IMMUNO-model YRI Meeting – Young Researchers and Innovators on Immunotherapies: The Future is Now”

Super Admin — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 17:21:29 +0000

The event will be held in Porto, Portugal, at the Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto (IPO Porto), on September 25th, 2025 (one full day) and is specifically designed for early career researchers – PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, and other young investigators under 40 years old.

Participants will have the opportunity to present their ongoing research projects in the field of cancer immunotherapy, aligned with the mission of the IMMUNO-model COST Action. The scientific sessions will feature 12 selected oral presentations and a dynamic poster session, chaired by pairs of early career researchers and experienced mentors from diverse backgrounds.

The program also includes keynote talks by established experts, focusing on career development (in both academia and industry), science communication, grant application strategies, and opportunities for international collaboration within the COST framework.

For this YRI Meeting, IMMUNO-Model COST Action will financially support a limited number of participants subject to budget availability. They will be eligible to receive reimbursement for travel and accommodation costs, in line with COST Travel Reimbursement Rules (https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2025/04/Travel_Reimbursement_Rules_2025.pdf )

Please note that the event will be held in a hybrid format, and participants who are not selected for on-site attendance are welcome to join remotely and follow the sessions online.

For more information, please follow our social media channels and check your email for updates.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the application form available: https://forms.gle/o9ZsTuj2mVhmTJm2A.

The deadline for application submission is July 4^th, 2025.
Applications will be evaluated by the scientific committee based on the quality of the CV and submitted abstract. Results will be communicated to all applicants before July 13^th, 2025.

We believe this meeting will be a valuable opportunity for early-stage researchers to exchange ideas, receive feedback, and build new collaborations within the IMMUNO-model network and beyond.

We are looking forward to meeting you in Porto!

Conference Report: Third IMMUNO-model Annual ConferenceModeling Immunotherapy for Cancer – Bridging Research to Clinical Application

Super Admin — Fri, 23 May 2025 16:53:32 +0000

13–14 May 2025 | University of Warsaw, Poland

The Third IMMUNO-model Annual Conference took place on 13-14 May 2025 at the University of Warsaw, bringing together an international community of 98 researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals dedicated to advancing preclinical immuno-oncology. Organized within the framework of our COST Action, the meeting was held under the theme “Modeling Immunotherapy for Cancer – Bridging Research to Clinical Application”, emphasizing the translational value of preclinical models in cancer immunotherapies.

The scientific programme featured a rich array of invited lectures, selected oral presentations, and poster contributions, structured across four thematic areas: in vitro, in vivo, in silico, and ex vivo models. The opening keynote by David Fernandez-Antoran introduced an innovative immune-epithelioid culture system that enables long-term in vitro modeling of immune-epithelial crosstalk. This was followed by invited talks from José Alexandre Ferreira, who presented glycoengineered cancer models for immunological profiling, and Lucia Gabriele, who showcased 3D microfluidic systems to investigate immune–tumor interactions and drug responses.

Further contributions in the in vitro session included Natalia Marek-Trzonkowska’s presentation on cellular therapy approaches for non-small cell lung cancer and Thomas Sommermann’s overview of dynamic vascularized organ-on-chip platforms. Selected oral presentations added depth, with Emanuela Senjor reporting on the role of cathepsin V inhibition in glioblastoma and NK cell activity, and Silvia López Borrego presenting the impact of MICA alleles on NKG2D modulation in NK cells.

In vivo modeling was opened by Bozena Kaminska, whose keynote lecture focused on dissecting immune heterogeneity in brain tumors using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics. Invited talks by Catarina Brito and Michal Mikula highlighted, respectively, the use of advanced 3D cultures to simulate tumor microenvironments and the development of patient-derived xenografts for functional precision oncology. A special session included IMMUNO-model network updates, followed by selected oral presentations from Jakub Godlewski, who described the evaluation of vaccine-like particles in glioblastoma models; Tianren Shi, who explored determinants of immune infiltration in triple-negative breast cancer through multi-omic analyses; and Marco Barreca, who introduced a tool for mining public pan-cancer transcriptomic data for immuno-oncology research.

A strong presence of early-career researchers was particularly evident in the selected oral presentations, which showcased high-quality work and cutting-edge methodologies. Their active engagement throughout the conference reflected the growing role of young scientists in driving innovation across the field of immuno-oncology.

On the second day, the conference turned to computational and ex vivo approaches. Johannes Textor’s invited talk emphasized the use of mechanistic in silico simulations to guide clinical trial design. Björn Rotter presented methods for RNA analysis from FFPE tissue and liquid biopsies, and Pablo Conesa-Zamora discussed the use of engineered bacteria to deliver neoantigens systemically. Selected oral presentations by Lucia Juhasikova and Uzma Hasan, respectively, highlighted the use of organotypic slice cultures to evaluate immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer and a personalized ex vivo platform to characterize immune responses in tumor slices.

The closing session on ex vivo models featured invited talks by Gunes Esendagli on T cell migration using microfluidic platforms and Nataliia Beztsinna on the use of patient-derived organoids and fresh tissue cultures for drug testing.

Throughout the event, poster sessions provided an interactive platform for both early-career and senior researchers to share novel findings, with topics ranging from immune evasion and tumor microenvironment remodeling to nanovaccine development and spatial immunomics.

The conference also included working group meetings of the IMMUNO-model network, reinforcing its collaborative spirit. The event successfully showcased the value of integrated, multidisciplinary preclinical modeling in the development of innovative and effective cancer immunotherapies, reaffirming the IMMUNO-model initiative’s commitment to fostering translational research and cross-sector collaboration in immuno-oncology.

Abstract book of the 3rd annual conference

Super Admin — Fri, 09 May 2025 15:06:59 +0000

Dear Participants,

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the Third IMMUNO-model Annual Conference, held under the theme “Modeling Immunotherapy for Cancer: Bridging Research to Clinical Application”, taking place on May 13–14, 2025, at the University of Warsaw, Poland.

This event brings together researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals from around the world to foster the exchange of knowledge and to advance preclinical modeling in cancer immunotherapy. Organized within the framework of the COST Action CA21135, the conference serves as a dynamic platform to discuss the latest innovations, challenges, and opportunities in the field of Immuno-Oncology.

The scientific program will feature sessions dedicated to in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico models, reflecting the full breadth of approaches used to understand and develop immunotherapies. In addition to keynote lectures by renowned speakers and selected abstract presentations, the conference will host meetings of the different Working Groups of the IMMUNO-model network, providing further opportunities for collaboration and strategic discussions.

We thank you for joining us and wish you a productive and inspiring conference.

ThirdAnnualConference_AbstractBook_FINAL_06.05.25 Download

Report on IMMUNO-model Workshop: Harmonizing In Vivo Models of Immunotherapy – Past, Present and Future Directions

Super Admin — Wed, 07 May 2025 16:22:06 +0000

IMMUNO-model Workshop: Harmonizing In Vivo Models of Immunotherapy – Past, Present and Future Directions (WG2) took place on 7–8 April 2025 in Bergen, Norway, bringing together 53 participants in a hybrid format to discuss in vivo models for immunotherapy. The event focused on the goals of Working Group 2 (WG2): advancing preclinical models, fostering data sharing, and strengthening translational collaboration in immuno-oncology.

The workshop opened with welcome remarks from WG2 Leader Emmet Mc Cormack and featured an engaging scientific program with excellent presentations from early-career and senior researchers. Speakers addressed diverse topics, including zebrafish and canine companion models, humanized mice, nanoparticle delivery systems and bone marrow organoids. The workshop effectively showcased a broad range of in vivo immunotherapy models enabling participants to reflect on common strengths and limitations such as predictive power, clinical relevance, and translational potential. Invited speakers included Rita Fior (Portugal), Johanne Jacobsen (Norway), and Enni Markkanen (Switzerland), whose presentations highlighted innovative approaches and future directions in modeling immune responses to cancer.

Sessions were moderated by Emmet Mc Cormack, Calum Leitch, and Vibeke Samuelsen Fosse (University of Bergen), and included contributions from academia, clinical institutions, and industry. Poster sessions and coffee breaks provided additional opportunities for networking and collaboration. Virtual participants engaged via Zoom live streams and chat function, which enabled interaction and exchanges throughout the sessions.

Day 2 featured a recap of key insights and a strategic planning session focused on defining WG2 objectives and identifying common challenges in in vivo modeling for immunotherapy. The engaging discussions also offered a valuable opportunity for both early-career and senior researchers to openly reflect on the challenges and opportunities of academic career development, leading to meaningful insights and new connections.

The workshop successfully strengthened the IMMUNO-model network, encouraged new collaborations, and laid the groundwork for a joint WG2 publication.

Feedback of participant:

“The workshop was extremely well organised.

Most of the talks were very very interesting, with a large input from female presenters and from early career presenters.

Discussion was very good both officially during the workshop and informally during the evening out and the breaks. Maybe a small negative – the signposting to the workshop on the first day was small and I missed it and walked right past it – luckily a helpful student brought us directly to the building ( we were already very close)..”

We thank the organizers Prof. Emmet Mc Cormack, Calum Leitch and Zinayida Fandalyuk from University of Bergen, Norway, for their great work and effort!

IMMUNO-model Workshop: Harmonizing in vivo models of immunotherapy, past, present and future directions of WG2

Super Admin — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 14:17:32 +0000

IMMUNO-model Workshop: Harmonizing in vivo models of immunotherapy, past, present and future directions of WG

7-8 April 2025, Bergen, Norway

Key dates

Pre-registration: now open
Deadline for Abstract submission: March 17^th, 2025 (Extended)
Deadline for in-person final registration: March 17^th, 2025 (Extended)
Deadline for online participation: March 23^rd , 2025

Registration

The workshop will be a hybrid event, pre-registration is now open.
Registration is open to both IMMUNO-model members and non-members.
Registration is free (refreshments and drinks during coffee breaks will be provided. only lunches and social dinner will have a fee).
Deadline for in-person registration: March 10, 2025.
Deadline for virtual registration: March 23, 2025.
Links for virtual attendance will be provided to registered attendees.
Both in-person and virtual participants must register here: https://skjemaker.app.uib.no/view.php?

Travel expense reimbursement eligibility

Speakers and abstract presenters will be eligible for reimbursement subject to budget availability. Priority will be given to IMMUNO-model COST Action members.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

Participants are welcome to submit their abstract for oral or poster presentation using the link here: https://skjemaker.app.uib.no/view.php?id=18529984

Deadline for Abstract submission: March 17^th, 2025 (Extended)

Selected Confirmed speakers

Enni Markkanen (University of Zurich, Switzerland)

“From Canine Companions to Cancer Cures: The Value of Dogs for Immuno-Oncology”

Rita Fior (Foundation, Porto, Portugal)

“Zebrafish Avatars: a platform for personalized medicine and discovery of innate immune mechanisms and modulators for cancer immunotherapy”

Carla Panisello (Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain)

“NSGS mice humanized with cord blood mononuclear cells show sustained and functional myeloid-lymphoid representation with limited graft-versus-host-disease””

Scientific Program

Day 1: Monday April 7, 2025
08:30 – 09:0‎‎0‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎	Registration
09:00 – 09:05	Welcome and Opening: Emmet Mc Cormack, WG2 Leader
09:05 – 09:35	Zebrafish Avatars: a platform for personalized medicine and discovery of innate immune mechanisms and modulators for cancer immunotherapy Rita Fior, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
09:35 – 09:55	An angiogenesis-independent mechanism of action for anti-VEGFA therapies Cátia Rebelo de Almeida, ,Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
09:55 – 10:25	Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Immunotherapy: Leveraging Chitosan/γ-PGA Nanoparticles with IFN-γ therapy Flávia Castro, i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Portugal
10:25 – 10:45	CD276 immature glycosylation drives colorectal cancer aggressiveness and T-cell-mediated immune escape Andrea Piexoto, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Portugal
10:45 – 11:00	Coffee break & poster viewing
11:00 – 11:15	Session moderator Calum Leitch, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway
11:15 – 11:45*	TBA Johanne T Jacobsen, Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine University of Oslo, Norway
11:45 – 12:05	Implementing human bone marrow organoids to interrogate microenvironmental influences on the efficacy of blood cancer immunotherapies Zoë Wong, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
12:05 – 12:35	Engineering allorejection-resistant adaptive NK cell therapies Karen Martin, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
12:35 – 12:55	NSGS mice humanized with cord blood mononuclear cells show sustained and functional myeloid-lymphoid representation with limited graft-versus-host-disease Carla Panisello, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
13:00 – 13:45	Lunch & poster viewing
13:45 – 13:55	Session moderator Vibeke Samuelsen Fosse, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway
13:55 – 14:25	From Canine Companions to Cancer Cures: The Value of Dogs for Immuno-Oncology Enni Markkanen, Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Zurich, Switzerland
14:25 – 14:55	The Use of Minipigs to Assess Drug Safety of Immunotherapies Samuel Chuang, Charles River Laboratories, USA
14:55 – 15:25	CRISPR-Generated Mouse Models for Cancer Immunotherapy Martin Thomsen, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
15:25 – 15:40	Coffee break & poster viewing
15:40 – 16:00	Immunotherapy: Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment through Personalized Approaches Uzma Hasan, International Center for Infectiology Research (CIRI), Lyon, France
16:00 – 16:20	The possibilities of determining cytokines by various methods during immunotherapy in cancer patients and their clinical significance Vladimir Jurisic, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Serbia
16:20 – 16:40	Bioinspired nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy Wujun Xu, Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
16:40	Closing remarks. Group photo
18:00	Dinner

Day 2: Tuesday April 8, 2025

Welcome & Recap (15 min)

Summary of Day 1 key themes: What are the major insights from the talks?

Defining IMMUNO-model COST Action and WG2 objectives:

Objective 1: To build a critical mass of immuno-oncology researchers to foster knowledge exchange and the development of a joint research agenda around preclinical models in immunotherapy

Objective 2: To collect, integrate and organise experimental data on immunotherapy models and establish open-access standardised protocols and guidelines.

Objective 3: To facilitate the transferability of knowledge between basic, translational, and clinical investigators, and with SMEs.

Agenda for Day 2:

Identify critical challenges in in vivo models for immunotherapy
Define scope and structure for a collaborative WG2 publication
Future activities of WG2

Focused discussion sessions: Challenges & Opportunities (1 hour)

Brainstorming speed discussion sessions on the following aspects of in vivo immunotherapy models:

Animal Models (e.g. rodents, canines, minipigs, non-human primates)
Non-mammalian Models (e.g. zebrafish, chicken embryo, drosophila)
Standardisation & Reproducibility: How do we improve consistency across different models for immuno-oncology studies?
Translational Gaps: What are the biggest barriers in moving from preclinical models to clinical trials?
Emerging Technologies: What new tools (e.g. AI digital twin, advanced imaging, organoids, microfluidic lab-on-chip) should be incorporated?

10 – 15 minutes per topic. The goal should be to summarise current state of the field and identify 2-3 challenges/opportunities for each theme that could be addressed to improve immunotherapy modelling.

Panel Discussion: Turning Insights into Action (45 min)

Moderators (WG2 leader and Expert Discussion Leads) will consolidate outcomes into a concrete publication plan. Key questions:

Should we write a single comprehensive review or a series of focused papers?
Tentative paper structure and key themes
Identify potential authors and writing groups to lead each section
Timelines and plan follow-up meetings
Target journals (e.g. Nature Reviews, Cancer Immunology Research, Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, Immunotherapy Advances)

WG2 leaders will draft a roadmap for publication.

Future Activities for WG2 (45 min)

Goal: Expand WG2’s impact through publications, funding and networking.

Database of in vivo models, standardised protocols and guidelines
Publications (e.g. review and guideline papers)
Funding opportunities (e.g. ERC grant, EIT health, CRI, Cancer Grant Challenges..)
Workshops/Summer schools (e.g. Humanised mice, zebrafish models, in vivo imaging for immunotherapy)
Outreach to cancer/immunology/imaging societies and public engagement
Activities to foster women, minority and early career scientists

End of Workshop Closing Remarks (15 min)

By WG2 leader Emmet Mc Cormack

Registration for 3rd IMMUNO-model Annual Conference, “Modeling Immunotherapy for Cancer: Bridging Research to Clinical Application” is open!

Super Admin — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 14:10:04 +0000

The third IMMUNO-model Annual Conference, “Modeling Immunotherapy for Cancer: Bridging Research to Clinical Application” will take place at University of Warsaw in Poland from 13-14th May 2025. The conference will bring together experts researchers, industry and clinicians in the field of immuno-oncology.

For more info and registration please visit official webpage: www.immunomodelconference.github.io

Key Dates

Pre-registration: now open
Deadline for in-person final registration: 25th April 2025
Deadline for online registration: 9th May 2025
Deadline for Abstract submission: 15th March 2025
Decision and notification of Abstract presentation acceptance: 11th April 2025

Scientific Program Committe

Barbara Breznik – National Institute of Biology, Slovenia
Łukasz Skalniak – Jagiellonian University, Poland
Ginés Luengo Gil – Pathology Department, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), Hospital Universitario Santa Lucía, Spain
Muhammet Karaman – Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Engineering Architecture and Design, Bartin University, Turkey
Devrim Pesen Okvur – Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey
Hanne Haslene-Hox – SINTEF, Norway
Catarina A. Rodrigues – Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto – IPO-Porto, Portugal
Marta Maleszewska – Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland

Organizing Committe

Marta Maleszewska – Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
Patrycja Ściślewska – Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland