Moffitt Cancer Center Cell Coast Conference 2024

Held in the fall of 2024, this conference was launched to spotlight the rapid evolution of cellular therapies, including CAR T-cell therapy, Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs), and T-cell Receptor (TCR) therapies. The event, themed “Spotlight Breakthroughs in Cellular Immunotherapy,” focused on operationalizing these complex treatments for broader patient access. It provided a unique forum for discussing “real-world” data—moving beyond the controlled environment of clinical trials to examine how these therapies perform in standard clinical settings for both hematologic and solid tumor malignancies.
+ What You Will Learn
Attendees were able to:

Evaluate real-world outcomes of CAR T-cell therapy in Multiple Myeloma and Lymphoma, comparing them to pivotal trial data.

Assess the operational challenges of delivering TIL therapy for metastatic melanoma and its emerging role in lung cancer.

Identify strategies for managing unique toxicities associated with bispecific antibodies and cellular products, such as Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity.

Discuss the integration of community oncologists with academic cellular therapy centers to streamline patient referrals and long-term follow-up.

Examine the potential of TCR therapies for solid tumors, specifically reviewing the FDA approval of afamitresgene autoleucel for synovial sarcoma.

Analyze the logistics of “Point of Care” CAR T manufacturing and its potential to reduce costs and wait times.

+ Event Details

Date: October 2024 (Inaugural Event)

Location: Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida

+ Who Should Attend
The conference was designed for the broad oncology community involved in advanced cancer care:

Medical Oncologists (Academic and Community-based)

Hematologists

Cellular Therapy Specialists

Research Scientists

Nurses and Advanced Practice Providers managing immunotherapy patients

Pharmacists

+ Why Attend

Inaugural Energy: As the first event of its kind from Moffitt, it set the stage for a new “Cell Coast” hub of innovation, offering unique networking with the leaders who pioneered TIL therapy.

Solid Tumor Focus: Unlike many cell therapy meetings that focus solely on blood cancers, this conference placed significant emphasis on the “next frontier”—treating solid tumors like lung cancer and sarcoma with engineered cells.

Practical Operations: The agenda included dedicated sessions on “Operational Readiness,” addressing the business and logistical hurdles (e.g., bed capacity, manufacturing delays) that clinics face when adopting these therapies.

 
+ Topics:

Updates on Approved CAR-T for Lymphoma
CAR-T for ALL
CAR-T Strategies for Multiple Myeloma
Bi-specifics for Myeloma
Cellular Therapies for Myeloid Malignancies
Melanoma TILs
Surgical Considerations for TIL Procurement
Novel Cell Therapies for Thoracic Malignancies
Afami-cel TCR for Sarcoma
Intravesical TIL for Bladder Cancer
Point of Care CAR T Manufacturing
Real World CAR-T for Multiple Myeloma
Infections Occurring in our ICE T Patient Population
CAR-T in Autoimmune Diseases
NK Cellular Therapies
Business Operations of Cellular Therapies