Editor’s Note: From November 14 to 17, 2024, the Cellular Therapy and Immunotherapy (CTI) Conference was held in Hangzhou, China. Jointly organized by Zhejiang University, the International Academy for Clinical Hematology (IACH), the Asian Cellular Therapy Organization (ACTO), the Zhejiang Immunological Society, and Cell Research, this grand event was supported by The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University and Liangzhu Laboratory as host institutions. Oncology Frontier – Hematology Frontier conducted an in-depth interview with the conference chair, Dr. He Huang from The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, to gain insight into the latest progress and future trends in the field of cell and immunotherapy.

International Event: Showcasing Innovation at the Forefront

Q1: The 2024 Cellular Therapy and Immunotherapy Conference brought together the world’s leading experts. As one of the conference chairs, what do you see as the unmissable highlights of this event? What are your special expectations for this conference?

Dr. He Huang: The 2024 CTI Conference represents a significant gathering of global cutting-edge medical research and innovative ideas. It encompasses a wide range of key fields such as cell therapy, immunotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, advanced hematological technologies, and industrial development. The goal is to foster in-depth exchanges and collaborations between basic research, translational technologies, clinical studies, and industrial applications, thereby accelerating medical and technological progress.

We are honored to host an exceptional roster of global scientists, scholars, and industry elites, including experts in immunology and cellular and immunotherapy. Notably, prominent figures such as Professor Chen Dong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, delivered lectures on their groundbreaking research, potentially opening new therapeutic avenues and injecting powerful momentum into the field’s future.

Among the key topics, Professor Li Tang of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne presented exciting findings on CAR-T therapies enhanced with metabolic functions. This innovative approach has demonstrated significant clinical benefits in initial translational studies. Meanwhile, international experts such as Professors Didier Blaise, Mohamad Mohty, and Thierry Facon provided in-depth analyses of advancements in leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Representing China’s excellence, Professor Huji Xu from the Naval Medical University shared leading-edge findings in autoimmune diseases, highlighting China’s growing contributions to global research.

In the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, updates from top experts such as Academician Xiaojun Huang of Peking University People’s Hospital and Professor Leo Luznik showcased cutting-edge achievements and future directions, serving as invaluable references for further research.

A unique feature of this conference is the industry translation forum, where distinguished corporate representatives shared experiences, interpreted relevant policies, and discussed strategies for industrial development in China. This segment provides invaluable opportunities for collaboration and fosters the translation of scientific discoveries into real-world applications.

Overall, the conference featured over 150 speakers. The main sessions offered a rich array of academic content covering the most advanced scientific and technological developments, while sub-sessions delved deeply into specific research areas. This comprehensive approach ensures attendees can fully grasp the latest trends and breakthroughs in their respective fields, further advancing the flourishing realm of cell and immunotherapy.

Scientific Leap: New Technologies, New Perspectives

Q2: Could you share the latest advancements in novel cell therapies for hematologic malignancies? Are there any emerging techniques or approaches from this conference that warrant particular attention?

Dr. He Huang: Globally, China stands at the forefront of the cell and immunotherapy field, particularly in the clinical translation of new products. China consistently outpaces the U.S. in the number of clinical studies conducted and demonstrates remarkable efficiency in the release and development of new therapies.

This conference spotlighted many highlights in the CAR-T field, with function-enhanced CAR-T therapies gaining attention for their ability to resist exhaustion and deliver robust killing effects with higher remission rates. Multiple innovative strategies for functionally enhanced targets were presented, offering attendees novel perspectives.

Additionally, non-conventional immune cell therapies such as CAR-NK and CAR-macrophage therapies are opening new avenues for exploration. The conference also showcased a variety of CAR-T therapies targeting novel antigens, including both familiar targets like CD7 and GPRC5D and emerging ones making their debut.

Another highly anticipated topic was universal CAR-T therapies. These include CAR-NK, second-generation universal CAR-T optimized through gene-editing technologies, and iPS-derived CAR-NK cells. China has made substantial contributions in these areas, with many researchers presenting clinical results for these new therapies. The scope and depth of the content at this conference firmly establish it as a leading international event.

Precision Progress: Breaking Barriers, Healing Diseases

Q3: How do you foresee the development of cell and immunotherapy in the coming years? Which research directions do you believe will define the future of this field?

Dr. He Huang: In the era of precision medicine, cell and immunotherapy represent two foundational pillars. Immunotherapy, in its broadest sense, also encompasses small-molecule targeted therapies, spanning nearly all domains of precision treatment.

As frontier technologies in life sciences such as gene editing and stem cell technology continue to advance rapidly, coupled with breakthroughs in precision detection techniques like single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, our understanding of disease biology deepens. This evolving knowledge base unveils new therapeutic targets and pathways, paving the way for highly specific and targeted treatments that will drive sustained progress in cell and immunotherapy.

Significant strides have been made in treating hematological malignancies such as lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. However, we must continually explore more potent and broadly applicable CAR-T therapies. For other hematological cancers like myeloid and T-cell malignancies, identifying new therapeutic targets remains a priority. Simultaneously, greater breakthroughs are urgently needed in treating solid tumors, a challenging frontier. Collaborative efforts among researchers across China are yielding promising progress in these domains.

In non-malignant conditions such as autoimmune diseases, we must also strive to develop more effective therapies to achieve curative outcomes. Overall, the field of cell and immunotherapy is advancing at an unprecedented pace, with a constant stream of new products and steadily improving clinical outcomes. This is an exciting time, filled with optimism and opportunities for transformative discoveries.

Conclusion

The 2024 Cellular Therapy and Immunotherapy Conference showcased groundbreaking research from global leaders in the field. The inspiring presentations provided deeper insights into cutting-edge technologies and innovative therapies while charting a clear course for the future. These invaluable academic exchanges and intellectual dialogues are sure to spark new ideas, propelling cell and immunotherapy to new heights. We eagerly anticipate these breakthroughs translating into clinical applications, bringing hope and healing to patients worldwide.