In the five decades since its inception, the Cancer Research Institute has established itself as a leader in the immunology and tumor immunology research communities. As a well-known and respected organization within these scientific communities, CRI has the ability to convene the world's top immunologists and tumor immunologists whenever there is need to discuss breaking developments or significant challenges in these two fields. 

We regularly host conferences and other forums that give dedicated researchers and clinicians an opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of the immunological landscape, exchange ideas and findings, and advance the field.

International Symposia Series
The international symposia series is a powerful means of shaping the future course of cancer research. These annual meetings, developed by CRI and organized in conjunction with the Academy of Cancer Immunology, focus attention on progress in the two central approaches of cancer immunology -- cancer vaccines and antibody-based therapies. The symposium attracts hundreds of top scientists from around the world and also provides CRI-supported graduate students and postdoctoral fellows an opportunity to present their work to the larger scientific community. We host a special evening reception for these youngest members of our global community of researchers, during which they are introduced to members of the Institute's Board of Trustees, Scientific Advisory Council, senior staff, and invited symposium speakers.

The first meeting, Frontiers of Immunology and Cancer Immunology, was held in 1993 and was dedicated to Dr. William B. Coley, commemorating his first clinical use of bacterial vaccines to treat cancer. Since then, the symposia series has attracted leading immunologists in the cancer vaccine and antibody fields, providing them with a comprehensive view of the potential and problems in the development of cancer immunotherapies. 

Recent Symposia:

Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy 2008: From Discovery to Development to Drug
16th Annual International Cancer Immunotherapy Symposium
September 15-17, 2008 - New York City

Cancer and HIV Vaccines 2007: Shared Lessons
15^th Annual International Cancer Immunotherapy Symposium
October 4-6, 2007

Click here for information on CRI's other past symposia.

CRI programs also encompass fundraising events, which directly support scientific research initiatives, as well as educational lectures for donors, the media, cancer patients, and the public.