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Symposium

Malignancy

Rectal Cancer
Symposium

New Frontiers in Cancer: From The Tumor Microenvironment to CARs

Tuesday, May 12, 2026
12:05 PM - 12:50 PM ET

CME Live Q&A and Polling

    Co-Moderator(s)

  • Karin Hardiman, MD, Ph.D (she/her/hers)

    Professor
    University of Alabama at Birmingham
    University of Alabama at Birmingham
    Birmingham, AL, United States

    All of the relevant financial relationships listed below have been mitigated.
    This individual has no financial relationships with ineligible companies.

  • J. Joshua Smith, MD, PhD

    Professor and Chair, Colon and Rectal Surgery Department
    MD Anderson Cancer Center
    MD Anderson Cancer Center
    Houston, TX, United States

    All of the relevant financial relationships listed below have been mitigated.
    BioNTech: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Terminated, June 1, 2025); Gerson Lehrman Group: Consultant (Terminated, April 1, 2025); GSK: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Ongoing), Consultant (Ongoing); Regeneron: Advisor or Review Panel Member (Terminated, February 1, 2025); Urogen: Consultant (Terminated, February 1, 2025)

CME: .75 hours

This symposium will explore key factors influencing treatment response in colorectal cancer. Participants will review potential reasons for treatment resistance, including tumor biology and patient-specific considerations. The discussion will also examine the role of the tumor microenvironment in shaping therapeutic outcomes. In addition, emerging and novel immunotherapy approaches will be highlighted, with a focus on their evolving role in the management of colorectal cancer.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
  • Describe potential reasons for treatment resistance in colorectal cancer.
  • Explain potential factors in the tumor microenvironment that are important in treatment response.
  • Recognize novel immunotherapies to treat colorectal cancer.

Presentations:

  • 12:05 PM - 12:10 PM ET
    Introduction
  • 12:10 PM - 12:20 PM ET
    Novel Predictors of Treatment Response in Rectal Cancer

    Faculty: Campbell S. Roxburgh, PhD (he/him/his) – University of Glasgow

  • 12:20 PM - 12:30 PM ET
    Novel Immunotherapy Treatment for Colorectal Cncer

    Faculty: Michael Overman, MD (he/him/his) – The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

  • 12:30 PM - 12:40 PM ET
    CAR-NK Treatment for Colorectal Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis

    Faculty: Paula M. Smith, MD, PhD – University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

  • 12:40 PM - 12:50 PM ET
    Questions