Conference overview: Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunomonitoring (CITIM): moving forward

The immune system is a critical element involved in the control of tumor development and progression. While professionals have learned how to manipulate the immune system to generate tumor-specific immune responses, cancer immunotherapy has not yet delivered substantial clinical benefits. It has become increasingly clear that tumor-induced abnormalities in the immune system not only hamper tumor immunosurveillance, but also limit the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Meanwhile, the results of recent studies allow the belief that one is on the edge of a real breakthrough in this promising direction in cancer therapy. The 2(nd) International Conference 'Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunomonitoring (CITIM)' was the second meeting in Eastern Europe to specifically focus on the issue of immune regulation in the tumor environment, cancer immunotherapy, and immunomonitoring of immunotherapeutic clinical trials. This CITIM Conference held in Budapest, Hungary, was comprised from 12 plenary sessions, Best Abstract Award session, Poster session, and four Keynote lectures. Outstanding presentations and numerous productive discussions summarized the current place of the field and opened new directions for improving monitoring and therapy for patients with cancer.