CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN IMMUNOLOGY

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

SUMMARY MINUTES

October 16, 2006

# CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN IMMUNOLOGY

**STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING**

October 16, 2006\
1:00--3:00 p.m.

**Bldg. 31, Room 3A11**

**Videoconference to Frederick Bldg. 560, Conference Room**

> **Members present:** Dr. Robert Wiltrout *(Chair)*
>
> Dr. Jonathan Ashwell
>
> Dr. Jay Berzofsky
>
> Dr. Stephen Creekmore *(Adjunct)*
>
> Dr. Diana Linnekin
>
> Dr. Crystal Mackall
>
> Dr. Anatoli Malyguine *(Adjunct)*
>
> Dr. Ira Pastan
>
> Dr. Marjorie Robert-Guroff
>
> Dr. Jeffrey Schlom
>
> Dr. Thomas Waldmann
>
> **Members absent:** Dr. Ronald Gress
>
> Dr. Allan Hildesheim
>
> Dr. Jeffrey Lifson
>
> Dr. Douglas Lowy
>
> Ms. Karen Maurey *(Adjunct)*
>
> Dr. Joost Oppenheim
>
> Dr. George Pavlakis
>
> Dr. Steven Rosenberg
>
> Dr. Dale Shoemaker
>
> Dr. Alfred Singer
>
> Dr. Dinah Singer
>
> Dr. Robert Yarchoan
>
> **Guests:** Dr. Miriam Gitler

######### 

######### Handouts

1.  Agenda.

2.  IL-15 Mini-Symposium Flyer.

    **CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN IMMUNOLOGY**

# STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

October 16, 2006

ACTION ITEMS

-   **Dr. Creekmore**

    -   Provide Dr. Wiltrout with the document describing regulation of
        the use of IL-15-related products (constructs, protein) for
        research purposes within the NCI.

-   **Dr. Linnekin**

    -   Draft a memo to Dr. Wiltrout describing the problems with the
        audiovisual equipment that occurred during the CEI 2006
        conference held on September 28 and 29, so that he can inform
        the NIH leadership.

-   **Dr. Wiltrout**

    -   Send a thank-you note to the invited speakers for the
        *"Frontiers in Basic Immunology"* conference.

-   **CEI SC members**

    -   Provide Dr. Linnekin with ideas for the theme of next year's
        CEI-sponsored conference.

overview

The Center of Excellence in Immunology Steering Committee (CEI SC)
resumed its monthly meetings on October 16, 2006, at 1:00 p.m. Dr. Diana
Linnekin described the recently held CEI‑sponsored conference on basic
immunology, and Dr. Thomas Waldmann led the discussion about the format
and contents of the upcoming CEI‑sponsored mini-symposium on IL‑15.

*frontiers in basic Immunology* CONFERENCE

Dr. Linnekin explained that the *"Frontiers in Basic Immunology"*
conference held on September 28 and 29, 2006, was very successful. Over
1,000 investigators registered for the conference, one fourth of them
from the extramural community. For next year's conference, Dr. Linnekin
will collaborate with the NCI Office of Communications to advertise the
conference to extramural investigators. The only problems encountered
were related to deficiencies in the audiovisual equipment in Masur
Auditorium.

Dr. Wiltrout added that he has received great feedback from the
participants and thanked the organizers of the conference. He suggested
that the CEI-sponsored conferences be held annually in September and
requested CEI SC members to propose themes for next year's conference.

update on the *il-15: basic research and clinical applications*
MINI‑Symposium

Dr. Waldmann explained that the mini-symposium on interleukin-15
(IL-15), sponsored by the CEI in conjunction with the NIH Cytokine
Interest Group, will be held at the Lipsett Auditorium on October 30,
2006. The program includes talks on the basic biology of IL-15, as well
as the potential role of IL-15 in treatment of cancer and HIV. Both
intra- and extramural speakers have been invited. The talks will be
followed by a panel discussion with participants from CCR, BDP (which is
manufacturing GMP‑grade IL-15), and the FDA to discuss the manufacturing
process, the regulatory and intellectual property issues involved with
the production of IL-15, the preclinical studies (immunogenicity,
toxicology) required before testing the product in human subjects, and
the design of the clinical trial (Phase 0 with an exploratory IND or a
conventional dose escalation Phase I study). Dr. Doroshow, DCTD, will be
invited to participate in the panel discussion. Given that Amgen holds
the IL-15 patent, the CEI SC discussed whether a representative from
Amgen should also be invited. To register or see the full program of the
mini-symposium, please visit http://web.ncifcrf.gov/events/IL15.

The CEI SC also discussed whether it was allowed to use IL-15-related
products (vectors, protein) for research studies. Dr. Creekmore
explained that there is an agreement signed by Amgen and NCI that
describes how IL-15 can be used for research purposes.

The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.

**Next Meeting: November 20, 2006.**

**Location: To be announced.**

**Videoconference to Frederick: To be announced.**