Ask the Expert: Discussing the Past, Present and Future of Cell-based Immune Treatments for Melanoma

Cell‑based immunotherapy has quickly evolved from an early experimental idea into a major treatment option for melanoma. This session will simplify the often‑confusing terms—TIL therapy, cell therapy, CAR‑T, TCR‑T, and general immunotherapy—and explain what they mean for patients. We’ll review how the field began, from early cell‑therapy strategies to TCR‑based treatments like tebentafusp, then focus on today’s landscape: FDA‑approved lifileucel, the first TIL therapy for melanoma New tumor‑based therapies such as OBX‑115 and IMA203 What patients and caregivers should know about logistics, side effects, and access Finally, we’ll look ahead to how the field is working to reduce side effects, develop new treatments, optimize sequencing, and meet remaining patient needs. Join experts Dr. Shoushtari and Dr. Smithy of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for a clear, patient‑focused overview of one of melanoma’s fastest‑moving areas.

Speakers:

James Smithy, MD MHS

Dr. Smithy is a clinical investigator at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with a focus on novel combination immunotherapies and cellular therapies for advanced melanoma. He leads investigator-initiated and sponsored trials for melanoma, and was a recipient of the 2024 NCCN Foundation Young Investigator Award for his front-line trial of nivolumab-relatlimab in combination with a peptide vaccine targeting PD-L1 and IDO. He is also a recipient of the MRF Breakthrough Consortium Pilot Translational Award for spatial transcriptomic analysis of PD-1 refractory melanoma. He completed his medical oncology fellowship at MSK, and completed his medical residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident.

Alex Shoushtari, MD

Alexander Shoushtari is Associate Attending Physician on the Melanoma Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a member of the Cellular Therapy Service. He has a busy clinical practice focused on melanomas, especially those not related to chronic sun exposure. His clinical research work focuses on the use of cellular and other immune based therapies to treat patients with melanomas. He has helped run dozens of clinical trials    , including those that led to the approval of drugs like tebentafusp. Together with his colleagues, he helps treat dozens of patients a year who undergo cellular therapy for their melanoma and other types of cancers. His research work has been recognized by agencies such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Academy of Cancer Research, the Melanoma Research Foundation, and Melanoma Research Alliance.