The immune system is a powerful multicellular system that defends the body against many types of infection, but when misdirected or withheld, it can promote diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Until recently, all attempts to manipulate the immune system for the treatment of these diseases failed. In the case of cancer, that has now changed, due mainly to the discovery of approaches that unleash tumor-attacking white blood cells called T lymphocytes. Although these new therapies are not without risk or toxicity, they can provide dramatic benefits for some patients, even those with advanced cancers. In addition to cancer immunotherapies, new types of immunotherapy are being developed to treat neurodegenerative diseases. In the future, combined treatment with immunotherapy and other agents will likely control and possibly cure many diseases that have heretofore been considered untreatable.
Event Information
Event Topic:
Manipulating the Immune System to Treat Disease
Event Description:
The immune system is a powerful multicellular system that defends the body against many types of infection, but when misdirected or withheld, it can promote diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Until recently, all attempts to manipulate the immune system for the treatment of these diseases failed. In the case of cancer, that has now changed, due mainly to the discovery of approaches that unleash tumor-attacking white blood cells called T lymphocytes. Although these new therapies are not without risk or toxicity, they can provide dramatic benefits for some patients, even those with advanced cancers. In addition to cancer immunotherapies, new types of immunotherapy are being developed to treat neurodegenerative diseases. In the future, combined treatment with immunotherapy and other agents will likely control and possibly cure many diseases that have heretofore been considered untreatable.
Date/Time:
Date(s) - 10/09/18
6:00 pm - 8:45 pm
Event Location:
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati – 650 Page Mill Rd, Palo Alto:
Speaker Information
Event Speaker:
Edgar Engleman, MD
Event Speaker Title:
Professor of Pathology and Medicine, Medical Director, Stanford Blood Center
Event Speaker Company:
Stanford University School of Medicine
Event Speaker Bio:
In 1978, after completing his clinical and research training, Dr. Engleman joined the faculty of Stanford Medical School where he is currently Professor of Pathology and Medicine, Director of the Stanford Blood Center, and Co-director of the Stanford Cancer Institute’s Immunotherapy Program. He has supervised more than 100 research trainees, authored more than 300 scientific articles and founded or co-founded several biotechnology companies to develop the immunotherapies discovered in his laboratory. His research is focused on understanding the role of the immune system in life-threatening diseases, and discovering ways to manipulate immune cells for the treatment of these diseases. Almost 30 years ago, he began testing the concept that patients with cancer could be immunized against their own tumors, and his discoveries provided the basis for the Provenge prostate cancer vaccine, the first immunotherapy for cancer to be approved by the FDA. This vaccine opened the way to a new era in which immunological treatments for cancer are becoming a new standard of care. In addition to his continuing to work on cancer immunotherapies, Dr. Engleman is investigating new ways to manipulate immune cells for preventing the rejection of transplanted organs and alleviating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Event Details
Cost:
$20 Late Registration and Non-Members
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