Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies

Satellite Programs

Cellular and Molecular Targeting of GvHD
American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Thursday, June 1
9:00am-12:00pm

The American Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) is pleased to announce a Satellite Symposium titled "Cellular and Molecular Targeting of Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD)." This symposium will discuss current research and clinical directions in specifically modulating the immune response in GVHD using both cellular and molecular approaches. Speakers will be:

Dr. Robert Negrin, Stanford University
The Role of Regulatory T-Cells (T-Regs) in GVHD
Biology of T-Regs, characterization and role in GVHD, preclinical evaluation of their effects on GVHD pathology as well as graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects, homing, and other issues will be discussed.
Dr. Samuel Strober, Stanford University
NK/T-Cells and GVHD
The biology of NK/T-Cells, immunomodulatory properties of these cells, and preclinical evaluation of these cells in BMT models will be discussed.
Dr. William Murphy, University of Nevada-Reno
Proteasome Inhibition and BMT
The effects of proteasome inhibition using bortezomib in GVHD and GVT, immunomodulatory effects of systemic proteasome inhibition, and means to circumvent potential toxicities with prolonged use will be discussed.
Dr. Pavan Reddy, University of Michigan
Histone Deacetylase Inhibition and GVHD
The preclinical evaluation of histone deacetylase inhibitors in BMT and immunomodulatory effects, effects various immune cell-types, and effects on GVT will be discussed.

Themes of the day will revolve around targeted suppression of the immune system such that GVHD can be prevented or treated without overt deleterious effects on immune and myeloid reconstitution after BMT. Effects of these immunomodulatory approaches on normal immune responses, mechanisms of action, biology of cell-types affected, potential toxicities, as well as anti-tumor effects when BMT is used in cancer will also be discussed. Preclinical data as well as summation of clinical data will be discussed. The target audience of this symposium will be for immunologists, both clinical and basic, desiring to learn about cutting edge immunologic studies in BMT using GVHD as the disease entity that will be harnessed and controlled. Individuals interested in autoimmunity, transplantation, imaging, immune monitoring, and general immunology will find this symposium of interest.