On Sep. 29, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT) held an event in Los Angeles, hosting the Golden West Gold Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), the global leadership community of more than 35,000 members in 150 countries.
The Southern California event brought YPO members together with leaders in cancer cell and gene therapy research and development to provide an educational and inspirational afternoon of presentations, patient advocacy, and philanthropy. The illuminating afternoon would not have been possible without the support of AstraZeneca, which opened its Santa Monica campus for this important conversation.
The afternoon featured leading voices in science and advocacy, including ACGT Scientific Advisory Council member Christine Brown, PhD (City of Hope), and CAR T-cell therapy advocate and survivor Laurie Adami.
The event underscored for the next generation of leaders the importance of scientific research into cutting-edge cancer treatments amid uncertain funding for scientific progress and discovery.
“Worldwide cancer diagnoses are projected to increase to 30.5 – 35 million cases per year by 2050, with 18.6 million cancer deaths projected annually, an increase of nearly 75% from 2022 levels,” said ACGT Chief Program Director Barbara Lavery. “So, while we do have seven approved cell and gene therapies for hematological cancers, and we have two approved cell and gene therapies for solid tumors, we have so much more work to do. And I’m sure that if I asked who in the room knows someone with cancer, everyone would put their hand in the air. It’s for the benefit of all of us that we work together and really make a difference in bringing cures to the forefront, whether as scientists, advocates, or through public and private philanthropy.”
After opening remarks from Lavery and ACGT CEO and President Kevin Honeycutt, Dr. Brown took the stage to share with attendees some of the particulars of how cell and gene therapy works, insights into the current state of the art, and to emphasize ACGT’s importance in supporting cell and gene therapy research.
“ACGT is a very important foundation,” Dr. Brown said. “I choose what I get to participate in, given my limited time. I’ve chosen to be part of ACGT’s Scientific Advisory Council because I really do believe their work is so important. For all of us who are applying for grants, foundations like ACGT really get the most novel, high-risk high-reward ideas off the ground.”
Next was Laurie Adami, who provided her inspiring story of how CAR T-cell therapy helped her overcome a battle with stage 4, follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma that was called “incurable” at the time of her diagnosis.
Adami shared how cell and gene therapy works from the patient’s perspective and how she’s returned to a healthy, fulfilling life. “They’re now telling me I’m cured,” Adami said. “Even though follicular non-Hodgkin (lymphoma), if you look, anything will say it’s incurable. Well, I’m not so sure that’s true for me. I’m like Benjamin Button, I’m feeling better all the time. I’m now in my sixth year with no cancer and completely clear scans.”
Each presenter’s stories underscored how philanthropy fuels the breakthroughs that give patients new hope. AstraZeneca speakers Marianna Sabatini, MD, VP Process Sciences, Analytics and Technology, and Arianne Perez, PhD, Global Head of Cell Therapy Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, also provided attendees with an overview of cancer cell and gene therapy product development.
ACGT thanks the YPO Golden West Gold chapter for its support and attention, and AstraZeneca for hosting the enriching event.
