Dr. Patrick Hwu is joined by Dr. Jedd Wolchok, director of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell, and a global leader in immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Dr. Wolchok recounts his early days in the lab of immunotherapy legend Dr. Lloyd Old and reflects on the transformational impact of CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitors. A key architect of these therapies’ clinical success, he shares the stories behind the trials that reshaped treatment for melanoma and beyond. The discussion also dives into the future: tackling resistance, optimizing combinations, and staying grounded in patient-focused, translational science.

Dr. Patrick Hwu speaks with Dr. Drew Pardoll, a pioneering leader in tumor immunology and director of the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Pardoll reflects on his early path into immunology and the scientific discoveries that helped establish immunotherapy as a transformative approach to cancer treatment. The conversation explores how tumors suppress immune responses within the tumor microenvironment and how understanding these immune “brakes” led to the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors, including anti–PD-1 therapies.

Dr. Pardoll discusses the importance of learning from early clinical failures, the promise of combination therapies, and advances in engineered T cells. Looking ahead, the episode highlights emerging technologies such as single-cell analysis and artificial intelligence, which are accelerating discoveries across cancer research and beyond. Dr. Pardoll also shares insights on mentorship, collaboration, and the importance of sustained investment in science to continue reducing cancer mortality.

What You’ll Learn from Dr. Pardoll

Dr. Patrick Hwu welcomes Dr. Suzanne Topalian, Bloomberg-Kimmel Professor of Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins and Director of the Melanoma Program at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Topalian shares her journey from surgical residency to groundbreaking research in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and immune checkpoint blockade. She discusses the evolution of PD-1 inhibition, her contributions to biomarker discovery, and her work expanding immunotherapy to rare cancers like Merkel cell carcinoma. Dr. Topalian also explores the promise of neoadjuvant immunotherapy, the importance of persistence in research, and the role of mentorship in shaping the next generation of cancer scientists. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the collaborative, patient-centered approach that has defined her career and continues to drive advances in cancer immunotherapy.

Dr. Patrick Hwu welcomes Dr. Robert Vonderheide, director of the Abramson Cancer Center and Vice Dean for Cancer Programs at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Vonderheide shares his journey from early skepticism about cancer immunotherapy to pioneering work in tumor antigen discovery, vaccine development, and activating the CD40 pathway. He discusses the unique challenges of pancreatic cancer, including its suppressive microenvironment and the role of the KRAS oncogene, and explores strategies combining targeted therapy with immunotherapy to generate effective T-cell responses. Dr. Vonderheide also highlights the promise of early detection and interception, the potential of CD40 agonists, and the importance of mentorship in training the next generation of cancer researchers, emphasizing the collaborative, innovative spirit that continues to drive advances in the field.

Dr. Patrick Hwu welcomes Dr. Sandra Demaria, Professor of Radiation Oncology and Pathology at Weill Cornell Medicine and a global leader in cancer immunology. Dr. Demaria shares her pioneering research demonstrating how radiotherapy can transform tumors unresponsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors into responsive ones—a discovery that has reshaped cancer treatment strategies worldwide.

Recorded live from the 2025 SITC Annual Meeting, this episode highlights the emerging science shaping the future of immunotherapy, including late-breaking abstracts and press program findings presented at the conference. As the current vice president of SITC, Dr. Demaria discusses the evolving synergy between radiation and immunotherapy, insights from studying the immune microenvironment and the translation of her discoveries into ongoing clinical trials. She also reflects on the collaborative energy that defines SITC and continues to drive the next generation of combination immunotherapies.

Dr. Patrick Hwu welcomes Dr. Mario Sznol, professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine and co-director of the Cancer Immunology Program at Yale Cancer Center. Dr. Sznol shares his journey from early work with high-dose interleukin-2 at the NCI to leading pivotal trials in checkpoint blockade and combination immunotherapies. He discusses the science behind cytokines, immune checkpoints, bispecific antibodies, and T-cell therapies, along with strategies for managing immune-related toxicities. Dr. Sznol also reflects on the collaborative, innovative spirit of the field and the next wave of therapies poised to further transform cancer treatment.

Dr. Patrick Hwu welcomes Dr. Fred Locke, chair of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy at Moffitt Cancer Center. Dr. Locke shares his personal and professional journey into CAR T-cell therapy, shaped in part by his own father’s cancer battle. A leader in pivotal clinical trials, Dr. Locke explains how engineered T cells are transforming lymphoma treatment — offering durable, sometimes curative responses. He discusses the science behind CAR T-cell manufacturing, trial design and its growing applicatio to diseases like multiple myeloma, along with future innovations in cellular immunotherapy.

How a personal family experience inspired Dr. Locke’s passion for immunotherapy

The story behind pivotal CAR T clinical trials (ZUMA-1 and ZUMA-7) and their FDA approvals

What makes CAR T therapy so effective in blood cancers — and the challenges with solid tumors

Innovative approaches on the horizon: donor-derived CAR Ts, TIL therapy, and engineered TCR therapies

Why diet, exercise, and prehabilitation may improve immune cell therapy outcomes

How Moffitt is scaling CAR T for outpatient treatment and community hospital access

Access more show notes, links and transcript here: https://www.moffitt.org/about-moffitt/podcasts/immunoverse/future-of-cellular-treatments/

Dr. Patrick Hwu sits down with Dr. Thomas Gajewski, a leader in tumor immunology at the University of Chicago. Dr. Gajewski discusses his pioneering work defining “hot” versus “cold” tumors — an insight that transformed how immunotherapists understand tumor response. The conversation dives into how the tumor microenvironment, patient genetics and even the gut microbiome shape immune activity in cancer. His work continues to drive strategies to turn cold tumors into responsive ones, giving new hope to patients across all cancer types. 

What You’ll Learn from Dr. Gajewsk

Access more show notes, links and transcript here: https://www.moffitt.org/about-moffitt/podcasts/immunoverse/hot-vs-cold-tumors/

Dr. Patrick Hwu welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee of Johns Hopkins, a renowned leader in cancer immunotherapy.

Dr. Jaffee shares the personal and scientific journey that led her to tackle one of oncology’s toughest challenges: pancreatic cancer. From her early fascination with virology to pioneering the use of genetically modified tumor vaccines, she has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer prevention and treatment.

What You’ll Learn from Dr. Jaffee

Dr. Jaffee also discusses efforts to use immunotherapy earlier — even preventively — and explores how AI and multi-modal data could revolutionize cancer risk prediction and early detection.

Key Takeaways

Access more show notes, links and transcript here: https://www.moffitt.org/about-moffitt/podcasts/immunoverse/targeting-kras/

Host Dr. Patrick Hwu sits down with immunotherapy pioneer Dr. James Mulé to discuss the origins and evolution of T cell therapies, groundbreaking discoveries at the NCI, and the translation of research to patient care at Moffitt Cancer Center.