Stefan Gluck

Title : Vaccine for AML: 2023 and beyond

Abstract:

The idea of using the immune system to fight cancer is over 100 years old. (Paul Ehrlich’s “Magic Bullet”). New cellular and molecular approaches over the last 2 decades or so, led to a better understanding of the immune system. Our focus became the T cell, its development and efficacy to combat cancer. Understanding of immune checkpoint regulation, antagonistic and agonistic in nature (over 20 are now described), development of CAR-T cells, as well as regulation of dendritic cells, B-cells and macrophages, has led to rational clinical development of novel mall molecules, biologics, and other modalities. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are currently approved for successful use in many malignant diseases.

Unfortunately, AML is not part of the success; several reasons are a possible explanation:

a. AML lacks a universal specific surface antigen that could be easily targeted. b. AML is highly heterogeneous, so one would need to develop individual targets. 3. the complexity of bone marrow microenvironment. 4. AML often is a fast-progressing disease so reaction of the immune system combined with immune dysfunction makes immunotherapy challenging.

We shall discuss vaccination strategies using individual patients' samples, a variety of antigen models, administration intratumorally, adding adjuvants, and potential combinations with other IO therapies.

Biography:

Stefan Glück, MD, PhD, is Vice President, Global Medical Affairs at Celgene Corporation since October 2014; prior to that he was until September 2014 a Sylvester Professor in the Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida. He is a medical oncologist with a focus on breast cancer. From 2003–2008, he was the Clinical Director of the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute, from January 2009 to December 2010 assistant Director of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Associate Chief, Division Hematology and Medical Oncology. Dr. Glück was presented the America’s Top Oncologists 2008 award from Consumers’ Research Council of America; he also received the Best Doctors in America honor in since 2006, and has annually earned that prestige every year, including in 2014; this award was warranted after less than 3 years of working in the United States.