COI Hosts 5th Symposium: Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment

The Centre for Oncology and Immunology (COI), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), successfully hosted its 5th symposium on February 28, 2025. Titled “Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment: Breakthroughs and Innovations,” the event brought together over 300 attendees, including leading scientists, clinicians, and industry experts from the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.

The symposium featured inspiring keynote presentations from world-renowned experts. Prof. Mark M. Davis (Stanford University) captivated attendees with his research on generating immune organoids from tonsils to study human immune responses, and their potential applications in vaccine development and immunotherapy. Prof. Hai Qi (Tsinghua University) shared his groundbreaking findings on GZMK-expressing CD8⁺ T cells in chronic inflammatory diseases, highlighting their role in persistent inflammation and potential as therapeutic targets. Prof. Qiang Pan Hammarström (Karolinska Institutet) presented her research on how genetic mutations and immune dysregulation contribute to B cell malignancies, shedding light on the mechanisms driving disease progression and offering valuable insights into immune deficiencies, cancer development and potential therapeutic strategies. Prof. Stephen Schoenberger ( La Jolla Institute for Immunology) shared his latest research on neoantigen-specific CD4⁺ T cell responses in tumour immunity, highlighting how therapeutic vaccination and immune modulation can enhance CD4⁺ T cell activity, offering promising strategies for improving cancer immunotherapy. Finally, Prof. Lisa Butterfield (Merck) discussed advancements in cancer vaccines, individualized therapies, and immune biomarkers, emphasizing how personalized immunotherapy can improve patient outcomes.

In addition to these thought-provoking presentations, the esteemed speakers engaged in panel discussions on the future direction and challenges in cancer immunotherapy, as well as strategies for translating cutting-edge discoveries from the lab to clinical applications. Moderated by COI’s Co-Director Prof. Tak Mak (HKU/UHN/COI), Prof. Carmen Wong (HKU/COI), Prof. Naoto Hirano (UHN/COI), and Prof. Tracy McGaha (UHN/COI), these discussions provided a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and addressing critical challenges in the field.

The symposium also included poster sessions, where young researchers from COI showcased their latest findings on a broad range of topics in the immuno-oncology field. These sessions provided up-and-coming scientists the opportunity to receive valuable feedback and engage in meaningful discussions with fellow peers and leading experts.

In her closing remarks, COI Co-Director Prof. Suet Yi Leung emphasized the growing importance of immunotherapy and the need for continued research and innovation, stating, “Immunotherapy offers new hope to cancer patients worldwide. As research advances, continued collaboration will be vital to drive innovation and translate discoveries into life-saving therapies.” These words underscore COI’s mission and the symposium’s theme – advancing immunotherapy through groundbreaking research and global collaboration.

COI extends its appreciation to all speakers, sponsors, and participants, whose support and engagement were instrumental in the success of the symposium. As we continue our journey in advancing research and collaboration in oncology and immunology, we remain committed to exploring new frontiers and building upon the valuable insights shared. Stay updated on COI’s latest news and research breakthroughs by following us on our social media platforms and visiting our website. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.