In recent years, there have been groundbreaking advancements in tumor immunotherapy, marked by the approval of several immunotherapeutic drugs by the U.S. FDA. These treatments target a spectrum of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, lymphoma, skin cancer, kidney cancer, urothelial carcinoma, and cancers with specific genetic characteristics (e.g., microsatellite instability high, MSI-high).
Despite their potential, these novel immunotherapies also carry the risk of serious side effects. Recognizing the necessity for ongoing research, healthcare professionals are actively exploring various aspects of immunotherapy. In response to this, the Taiwan Society of Immunotherapy for Cancer (TSITC) was formally established on March 25th, 2017.
The primary mission of TSITC is to facilitate the safe and effective utilization of immunotherapy by healthcare professionals in the treatment of cancer patients.
Immunotherapy diverges significantly from traditional chemotherapy and targeted therapy, necessitating collaboration among professionals, patients, and families to enhance its effectiveness. TSITC brings together a diverse range of experts, including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, nutritionists, researchers, and even R&D units from pharmaceutical companies. We provide a platform for discussion and collaboration, actively engaging with the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) in the United States to align with international standards.
TSITC plans to host three to four quarterly meetings each year. The first quarter will feature post-conference academic events following the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), offering the latest information on immunotherapy. The second quarter will focus on continuing education and training for professionals. The third and four quarter will analyze breakthroughs and achievements in immunotherapy for various cancers throughout the year or emphasizing breakthroughs in basic research, integrating developments in biomedicine to explore new opportunities in immunotherapy.
Additionally, TSITC will collaborate with other associations, medical societies, or biopharmaceutical companies to periodically organize academic symposiums, ensuring we stay abreast of trends in cancer immunotherapy.
Currently, the main breakthroughs in immunotherapy revolve around antibodies, activating the patient's immune system. Future directions include therapies centered on immune system regulation. The use of oncolytic viruses, other immune checkpoint inhibitors, and various molecular inhibitors in the immune system are also areas of interest for the future development of immunotherapy. It is anticipated that the next 10 to 20 years will be the era of immunotherapy, and we hope that through the activities of the society, scientific progress can be applied to benefit patients sooner.
We express gratitude to the many individuals who have contributed along the way. Witnessing patients once deemed incurable now living healthy lives without tumors reinforces our belief that our efforts have not been in vain.
We extend our thanks to all mentors, colleagues, and friends who have participated, and we look forward to witnessing TSITC thrive, elevate the standards of immunotherapy, and benefit all patients. Together, let us strive forward.
