Programme

Tak W Mak

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto and Centre of Oncology and Immunology, University of Hong Kong

Checkpoint inhibitors has accelerated the clinical implementation of a vast mosaic of single agents and combination immunotherapies. However, the lack of clinical translation for immunotherapies as monotherapies or in combination emphasized the importance of discerning investigation. Multiple molecular mechanisms, such as metabolic alteration, genomic instability and neural regulation converge to propel tumour development are engaged. Mutations in enzymes, such as IDH, gives rise to gliomas, leukemia (AML) and lymphoma (AITL). Another component is a seemingly unconnected biological process and immunity is genomic instability caused by inadequate DNA repair or excessive DNA damage. I will discus metabolic elements and genomic instability in immune cell regulation of infections, autoimmune diseases, thymic selection, liver regeneration and cancer development.

Hai Qi, Tsinghua University

Tak W Mak

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto and Centre of Oncology and Immunology, University of Hong Kong

Crosstalk between the nervous system and the immune system shapes the tumor microenvironment. Cholinergic T cells, a unique population of TCR-induced, acetylcholine-producing T cells, have emerged as an integrative interface between these two fundamental body systems. Here we review the distinct characteristics and functions of cholinergic T cells in cancer settings. We first outline the expression of choline acetyltransferase and the cholinergic machinery in T cells. We then describe the dysfunctional state of ChAT-expressing T cells in cancer and delve into their modulatory effects on T cells, cancer cells, and the tumor microenvironment, including its populations of immune cells, its vasculature, and its nerves. We also discuss the clinical implications of harnessing the potential of cholinergic T cells and future directions for increasing our understanding of their importance and possible exploitation.

Wenwen Zeng, Tsinghua University

Burkhard Becher

University of Zurich

Cytokines are often cast as the villains of inflammatory disease. Molecules such as IL-23 and GM-CSF have emerged as central drivers of tissue inflammation and autoimmune pathology, and targeting these cytokines has transformed the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. In this seminar, I will begin by discussing how these “bad actors” orchestrate pathogenic immune circuits involving T cells and myeloid cells that fuel chronic inflammation. However, cytokine biology is rarely one-dimensional. I will present recent work revealing unexpected physiological roles for these same mediators. We find that IL-23 can enhance the suppressive capacity of regulatory T cells, strengthening mechanisms that restrain inflammation. In parallel, we discovered that GM-CSF sustains a specialized macrophage population in exocrine glands, which we termed adenophages, with roles in tissue homeostasis. These findings highlight the remarkable context-dependence of cytokine signaling and challenge simple pro- versus anti-inflammatory classifications.

Min Peng

School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University

As living drugs, CAR T cells have cured some patients with B-cell malignancies and have the potential to cure chronic diseases that were traditionally considered incurable. To realize this potential, several key challenges remain, including the need for chemotherapeutic conditioning, achieving long-term functional persistence, and, above all, reducing the cost to an affordable level. Our goal is to address these challenges in T cell therapy using cutting-edge technologies and to expand the indications of T cell therapy from rare diseases to common chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, and others. In addition, we are developing new platforms for the large-scale production of therapeutic T cells at low cost, with the hope that every patient in need will have access to and be able to afford such T cell therapies.

Morning Networking Break

Heidi GS Ling, The University of Hong Kong

Meng Michelle Xu, Tsinghua University

Morning networking break

Cheng-Lung Ku, Chang Gung University 

Chak Sing Lau, The University of Hong Kong

Lai Guan Ng, Westlake University

Morning networking break