In This Section

Program

Please Note: All session times for the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics are U.S. Eastern Time (ET).


* – short-talk from highly rated proffered paper

Thursday, October 7

Poster Sessions
9 a.m. (on-demand throughout conference)
Educational Sessions
10 – 11:20 A.M.
EDUCATIONAL SESSION 1: Exploiting Synthetic Lethality
Cochairs: Eytan Ruppin, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and Barbara Weber, Tango Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts

Introduction
Barbara Weber

Uncovering the principles that govern synthetic lethality in cancer
Christopher Lord, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, England

Synthetic lethality in microsatellite unstable cancers
André Nussenzweig, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

Panel Discussion

EDUCATIONAL SESSION 2: Novel Clinical Trial Designs and Development of Next-gen Investigators for Complex Anticancer Agents
Cochairs: Philippe L. Bedard, UHN Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada, and Laura J. Esserman, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, California

Introduction
Philippe L. Bedard

Early phase trials to establish proof of concept for adoptive cellular therapy for solid tumors
Prasad S. Adusumilli, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York

Response adaptive randomization to prioritize promising investigational agents: I-SPY2
Laura J. Esserman

Real-world evidence to inform regulatory approval
Laleh Amiri-Kordestani, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland

Panel Discussion
Prasad S. Adusumilli
Laleh Amiri-Kordestani
Philippe L. Bedard
Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD
Laura J. Esserman

Break
11:20 – 11:35 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Keynote Address
11:35 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.

Welcome from Scientific Committee Cochairs
Lillian L. Siu, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
James L. Gulley, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
Ruth Plummer, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Ruth Plummer

Lung cancer progression and detection: From aberrant basal cell to CT and blood screening
Samuel Janes, University College London, London, England

Discussion

Break
12:35 – 12:50 p.m.
PLenary Session 1: Tumor-targeted Conjugates: A Growing Family
Cochairs: Puja Sapra, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Stefan N. Symeonides, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
12:50 – 2:40 p.m.

Introduction
Stefan N. Symeonides

Antibody drug conjugates: Advances, challenges, and future
Puja Sapra

A first in class phase I/II study of the novel bicyclic peptide and MMAE conjugate, BT5528, in patients with advanced malignancies associated with EphA2 expression
Meredith McKean, Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, Tennessee

XMT-2056: Tumor-targeted innate immune activation via a STING-agonist antibody drug conjugate
Timothy B. Lowinger, Mersana Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Panel Discussion

Break
2:40 – 2:55 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 1-3
2:55 – 4:30 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSION 1: Clinical Utility and Applications of New Computational Technologies
Cochairs: Benjamin Haibe-Kains, UHN Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada, and Kenna R. Mills Shaw, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Introduction                                                                             
Kenna R. Mills Shaw

An ML system for radiation therapy from lab to lives
Chris McIntosh, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Computational approaches to microsatellite instability analysis and TMB characterization
Elaine R. Mardis, Children’s Nationwide Hospital, Columbus, Ohio

Predicting outcomes of Phase III oncology trials with Bayesian mediation modeling
Brian P. Hobbs, The University of Texas Dell School of Medicine, Austin, Texas

The landscape of precision cancer combination therapy: A single-cell perspective*
Rahulsimham Vegesna, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

Novel algorithm discovers up to 70% more epitopes translated from non-coding regions in cold tumours*
Cedric Bogaert, myNEO, Ghent, Belgium

Panel Discussion

CONCURRENT SESSION 2: Drugs Targeting Metabolism
Cochairs: Stanley Lipkowitz, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and Jean-Emmanuel Sarry, INSERM Cancer Research Center, Toulouse, France

Introduction
Stanley Lipkowitz

Mitochondrial determinants of response and resistance to therapies in acute myeloid leukemia
Jean-Emmanuel Sarry

Mitochondrial matrix Protease ClpP agonists suppress breast cancer stem cell function by downregulating multiple stem cell regulatory mechanisms                                                                      
Yoshimi E. Greer, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

Regulation of FASN expression through a novel IGF-1R-mTORC1-SRPK2-SRSF1 pathway*
Bryan McClellan, University of Texas, Austin, Texas

Panel Discussion

CONCURRENT SESSION 3: Extracellular Vesicles as Therapeutic Targets
Cochairs: Toby T. Hecht, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, and Jennifer C. Jones, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

Introduction
Toby T. Hecht

Mechanisms of exosome driven immunoregulation of cancer progression
Robert H. Blelloch, University of California, San Francisco, California

Tumor derived exosomes: Their role in immune regulation and as biomarkers of cancer progression
Theresa L. Whiteside, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Exosome pathway inhibition as therapeutic strategy in colorectal cancer*
Madalena N. Monteiro, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Panel Discussion

Break
4:30 – 4:45 p.m.
Keynote Address
4:45 – 5:35 p.m.

Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Lillian L. Siu, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada

CRISPR and gene modification for cancer therapeutics
Jennifer A. Doudna, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, California

Discussion

Friday, October 8

Plenary Session 2: New Drugs on the Horizon
Cochairs: James L. Gulley, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and Lillian L. Siu, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
10 – 11:50 a.m.

Introduction                                                                                
Lillian L. Siu

Repotrectinib in patients with NTRK fusion-positive advanced solid tumors: Update from the registrational phase 2 TRIDENT-1 trial*
Benjamin Besse, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France             

First results of RLY-4008, a potent and highly selective FGFR2 inhibitor in a first-in-human study in patients with FGFR2-altered cholangiocarcinoma and multiple solid tumors*
Lipika Goyal, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Phase Ia/Ib dose-escalation study of ABL001 (CTX-009, Bispecific antibody targeting DLL4 and VEGF-A) as a single agent in patients with advanced solid tumors*
Jeeyun Lee, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea

BDTX-1535, a CNS penetrant MasterKey inhibitor of common, uncommon and resistant EGFR mutations, demonstrates in vivo efficacy and has potential to treat osimertinib-resistant NSCLC with or without brain metastases*
Matthew C. Lucas, Black Diamond Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Panel Discussion

Break
11:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
PLENARY SESSION 3: Bispecific T cell Engagers and Next-gen CAR T Therapies: Pros and Cons of These Strategies
Cochairs: Kapil Dhingra, KAPital Consulting LLC, Sparta, New Jersey, and Jeffrey A. Moscow, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
12:05 – 1:55 p.m.

Introduction
Kapil Dhingra

Bispecific T cell engagers (TCEs) for treatment of solid tumors: Challenges and opportunities
Patrick A. Baeuerle, MPM Capital, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Title to be announced
Martin Pule, University College London, London, England

Bispecific gamma-delta T-cell engagers for treatment of cancer
Hans J. van der Vliet, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands      

Panel Discussion

Break
1:55 – 2:10 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 4-6
2:10 – 3:45 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSION 4: Novel Precision Medicine Combination Trials
Cochairs: James H. Doroshow, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and Elena Garralda, Vall D’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain

Introduction
Elena Garralda

Combination therapy and the search for synergy via greater precision
Peter K. Sorger, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

Novel rare tumor models to assess new drug combinations
James H. Doroshow

First-in-Human biomarker-driven phase I TRESR trial of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related inhibitor (ATRi) RP-3500 in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors harboring synthetic lethal (SL) genomic alterations*
Timothy A. Yap, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Panel Discussion

CONCURRENT SESSION 5: Preclinical Models and Predictive Value
Cochairs: Lori S. Friedman, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, California, and Zoë Weaver Ohler, NCI-Frederick/Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland

Introduction
Zoë Weaver Ohler

Supporting precision oncology through non-germline mouse models
Scott W. Lowe, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York

Approaches to modulate tumor cell plasticity in combination with immunotherapy
Claudia Palena, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

Insights into therapeutic resistance from mouse models of lung cancer
Katerina A. Politi, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut

Closing Comments

CONCURRENT SESSION 6: Radiopharmaceuticals Coming of Age
Cochairs: Beverly A. Teicher, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and Rebecca K.S. Wong, UHN Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada

Introduction
Beverly A. Teicher

Radiopharmaceuticals and its future in cancer care
Charles A. Kunos, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky

Toward molecularly guided radiotherapy: Accelerated through science and technology
David A. Jaffray, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Identifying therapeutic options for patients with advanced prostate cancer through genes in liquid biopsies*
Seta Derderian, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada

Panel Discussion

AACR Chemistry in Cancer Research (CICR) Working Group Town Hall
4 – 5 p.m.

Introduction and overview of 2021-2022 CICR Working Group programs and activities
Joachim Rudolph, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
2021-2022 Chair, AACR Chemistry in Cancer Research Working Group

Perspective on bivalent degraders
Alessio Ciulli, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom

Perspective on molecular glue degraders 
Eric Fischer, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts

Perspective on targeting transcription factors
Angela Koehler, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Panel Discussion

CICR Working Group Town Hall is not eligible for CME credit

Saturday, October 9

PLENARY SESSION 4: DNA Damage Response Beyond PARP
Cochairs: Ruth Plummer, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and Ioannis Gounaris, Merck-Serono Ltd., Feltham, England
10 – 11:50 a.m.

Introduction
Ioannis Gounaris

Preclinical development of novel DNA repair inhibitor combinations
Geoffrey I. Shapiro, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts

Targeting the DDR beyond PARP inhibitors: Novel agents and rational combinations
Timothy A. Yap, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Patient identification for DDRi trials
Ruth Plummer

Panel Discussion

Break
11:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
PLENARY SESSION 5: Drugging Difficult Targets
Cochairs: Fiona H. Blackhall, University of Manchester, Manchester, England, and Pasi A. Jänne, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
12:05 – 1:55 p.m.

Introduction
Fiona H. Blackhall

Mechanisms of acquired resistance to KRAS G12C inhibitors: Opportunities and challenges
Pasi A. Jänne

Discovery and characterization of MRTX1133, a selective non-covalent inhibitor of KRASG12D
James G. Christensen, Mirati Therapeutics, San Diego, California         

Discovery and development of RAS(ON) inhibitors beyond KRAS G12C
Stephen Kelsey, Revolution Medicines, Inc., Redwood City, California

A phase 1b study evaluating the safety and efficacy of sotorasib, a KRAS G12C inhibitor, in combination with trametinib, a MEK inhibitor, in KRAS p.G12C-mutated solid tumors*
Suresh Ramalingam, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia

A phase 1b study evaluating the combination of sotorasib, a KRAS G12C inhibitor, and afatinib, a pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in advanced KRAS p.G12C mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)*
David Gandara, University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, California

Panel Discussion

Break
1:55 – 2:10 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 7-9
2:10 – 3:45 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSION 7: Targeting Molecular Residual Disease with ctDNA Technologies
Cochairs: Benjamin Besse, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France, and Jeanne Tie, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Introduction
Benjamin Besse

Clinical application of ctDNA in the MRD setting
Jeanne Tie

Technical considerations in analyzing circulating DNA for the detection of the MRD and alternative methods based on cirDNA origin and topology
Alain Thierry, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Montepellier, France

Whole exome and whole genome methylation sequencing of low-input cfDNA to implement precision medicine in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer*
Raju Kandimalla, Bristol Myers Squibb, San Diego, California

Panel Discussion

CONCURRENT SESSION 8: Tumor Microbiome
Cochairs: Tim F. Greten, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and Laurence Zitvogel, Institute Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France

Introduction                                                                
Tim F. Greten

The role of the tumor microbiome in cancer
Jennifer A. Wargo                   

Microbiota, immunity, and cancer
Maria Rescigno, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy

Panel Discussion

CONCURRENT SESSION 9: Protein-Protein Inhibitors (PPI) in Hematologic Malignancies: Challenges and Promise
Cochairs: Zaneta Nikolovska-Coleska, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Tim Somervaille, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Manchester, England

Introduction
Zaneta Nikolovska-Coleska

Inosital transporter SLC5A3 is a synthetic lethal dependency Acute Myelod Leukemia
Christopher R. Vakoc, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York

Targeting protein-protein interactions through induced protein degradation
Shaomeng Wang, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Targeting BCL-XL/BCL-2 by PROTAC 753b effectively eliminates AML cells and enhances efficacy of chemotherapy by targeting senescent cells*
Yannan Jia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Panel Discussion

Break
3:45 – 4 p.m.
Plenary Session 6: New Drugs on the Horizon II
Session Cochairs: James L. Gulley, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and Ruth Plummer, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
4 – 5:40 p.m.

Introduction
James L. Gulley

A phase I, first-in-human clinical trial of the GDF-15 neutralizing antibody CTL-002 in subjects with advanced stage solid tumors*
Eugen Leo, CatalYm GmbH, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany

Discovery of TAS0953/HM06, a novel next generation RET-specific inhibitor capable of inhibiting RET solvent front mutations*
Isao Miyazaki, Taiho Pharmaceutical Company, Tukuba, Japan

Discovery of mutant-selective PI3Ka and isoform-selective FGFR3 inhibitors: Insights from the Loxo Oncology at Lilly Discovery Model
David M. Hyman, Loxo Oncology at Lilly, Stamford, Connecticut

ST101, a peptide targeting oncogenic transcription factor C/EBPβ: Initial safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data from an ongoing    phase 1 dose escalation study in patients with advanced metastatic solid tumors*
Nehal J. Lakhani, START Midwest, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Panel Discussion

Sunday, October 10

PLENARY SESSION 7: HER2-directed Therapies – Dedicated to the Memory of José Baselga
Cochairs: Carlos L. Arteaga, UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, Texas, and Martine J. Piccart, Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels
10 – 11:50 a.m.

This session is dedicated to the memory of José Baselga.

Introduction
Carlos L. Arteaga and Martine J. Piccart

Tailoring treatment in HER2+ breast cancer: Remarkable advances, transformed outcomes
Lisa A. Carey, University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

HER2 heterogeneity implications for biology, tumor evolution, and treatment
Aleix Prat, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Novel treatment approaches for HER2-positive breast cancer
Ian E. Krop, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts

Panel Discussion

Break
11:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
PLENARY SESSION 8: Non T Lymphocyte Immune Effector Cell Therapies
Cochairs: Rosandra N. Kaplan, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, and Frederick L. Locke, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
12:05 – 1:55 p.m.

Introduction
Frederick L. Locke

Memory-like NK cell therapy in the treatment of advanced malignancies
Rizwan Romee, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts

Targeting ovarian cancer mediated suppression of NKT cell activation
Tonya J. Webb, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland

Myeloid cells and therapeutic opportunities for microenvironmental regulation
Rosandra N. Kaplan

Chimeric antigen receptor macrophages for the treatment of solid tumors
Saar Gill, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Panel Discussion

Break
1:55 – 2:10 p.m.
PLENARY SESSION 9: Protein Degraders and Molecular Glues
Cochairs: Susan M. Galbraith, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, England, and Kevan M. Shokat, University of California, San Francisco, California
2:10 – 4 p.m.

Introduction
Susan M. Galbraith

PROTACs and targeted protein degradation: A new therapeutic modality
Craig M. Crews, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

How do cullin-RING ligases ubiquitylate structurally diverse substrates?
Brenda A. Schulman, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany

Targeted protein degradation for the treatment of cancer
Benjamin L. Ebert, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts

Panel Discussion

Break
4 – 4:15 p.m.
Closing Session: What is the Biggest Roadblock in Anticancer Drug Development in the Next Decade and What Can be Done to Mitigate?
Moderator: Jean-Charles Soria, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
4:15 – 5:45 p.m.

Panelists:

Emiliano Calvo, START Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Levi A. Garraway, Genentech, South San Francisco, California
James L. Gulley, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
Maria T. Koehler, REPARE Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts
Ruth Plummer, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Tatiana M. Prowell, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Lillian L. Siu, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Josep Tabernero, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain

* – short-talk from highly rated proffered paper