Cancer Immunotherapy 101

Saturday, September 28, 2024

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM EDT

Location: MBCC, 207

CME/MOC Credit: 1

Disclosure(s):

Larissa Sweeny, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Adam J. Luginbuhl, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a heterogeneous disease without significant improvements in overall survival. Cancer immunotherapy has shown promise as a new therapeutic pathway for the treatment of various malignancies, including head and neck mucosal and skin cancers. Targeted therapies, such as those for immune checkpoints, have been the agents with the greatest therapeutic potential. There was been several recent clinical trials with exciting results in treating patients with immunotherapy in the setting of cutaneous malignancies. With the growing indications for immunotherapy and the potential for immunotherapy to have a big impact on a patient's treatment response and prognosis, patients and their families will be inquiring about these agents with greater frequency. Having a fundamental understanding of cancer immunotherapy, its current indications and future possibilities, can be useful for counseling patients. This panel, geared toward general otolaryngologist, head and neck surgeons and trainees, will provide an overview of basic immunotherapy principals, followed by more in-depth review of the available immunotherapy agents for the treatment of cutaneous malignancies of the head and neck, including common side effects and management.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, the participants should be able to understand the basic principles of cancer immunotherapy.
Upon completion, the participants should be able to describe immunotherapies currently being used for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas.
Upon completion, the participants should be able to describe immunotherapies currently being used for the treatment of melanoma and basal cell carcinomas.

Moderator(s)

Larissa Sweeny, MD

Associate Professor
University of Miami - Department of Otolaryngology
Miami, FL, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Panelist(s)

Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc

The David Myers, MD Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Carissa M. Thomas, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Adam J. Luginbuhl, MD

Professor
Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Philadelphia, PA, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.