The 9th Annual CCF Symposium was held on June 4, 2025.
In the next few weeks, this page will have the recorded talks given throughout the day. Check back often.
9th Annual CCF Research Symposium Presentation List
June 4, 2025
| Session I : Leukemia and other Blood Cancers | |
| “Update and Challenges in Cell-Based Therapies in Leukemia” Sara Silbert, M.D., M.H.Sc., National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research (NCI, CCR) |
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| Holly Barton, Leukemia fighter and mother Lauren | |
| “Chimeric cytokine receptors increase NK-cell functionality against AML” Natalie Holl, Johns Hopkins University |
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| “Disparities between bone marrow B-cell aplasia and minimal residual disease in pediatric and AYA B-ALL after CAR T-cell therapy” Chelsea O’Koren, M.D., NCI, CCR |
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| “miR-21 Regulates T-Cell Alloreactivity and GVHD Severity in Experimental Allo-HCT” Margarita Dionysiou, M.D., Johns Hopkins University |
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| The Jeffrey A. Toretsky Honorary Keynote Panel: “AI: Potential and Challenges for Pediatric Oncology” | |
| Taylor Sundby, M.D., NCI, CCR, POB, Presenter and Moderator | |
| Marius Linguraru, Ph.D., Children’s National, Panelist | |
| David Milewski, Ph.D., NCI, CCR, Genetics Branch, Panelist | |
| Joe C. Murray, M.D. Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, Panelist | |
| Session II: Challenges and scientific advances in pediatric and AYA oncology | |
| “AYA Clinical Trials and Care Challenges” Heather Symons, M.D. M.H.S., Johns Hopkins University |
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| Bella Teta, Brain Tumor Survivor Introduction by Brian Rood, M.D., Children’s National |
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| “A Tale of States: Decoding the Role of MYCN Amplification in ADRN-MES Plasticity” Stefano Di Giulio, Ph.D., NCI, CCR |
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| “Reprogramming Tumor-Associated Macrophages to Enhance CAR T Cell Therapy in Group 3 Medulloblastoma” Serge Yaacoub, M.D., Children’s National |
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| “Developmental states determine intrinsic resistance to immunotherapy in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma” Maya Groff, NCI, CCR |
About the CCF Symposium
Launched in 2016, CCF annually hosts the one-day CCF Research Symposium. The brainchild of CCF’s Scientific Advisory Board Chair Emeritus Jeffrey Toretsky, M.D., the CCF Research Symposium puts forth the belief that small local research dialogue will lead to substantial research collaboration.
Regional experts (including nurses, doctors, therapists, etc.), advocates, and trainees have shared research and continue to advance the treatment of childhood cancer. The CCF Research Symposium is also unique in its inclusion of presentations from cancer fighters and their families, infusing the day with “heart” by sharing their cancer journeys.
The CCF Symposium is made possible with generous support from The Kahlert Foundation.
Past Symposia
Research on the Horizon: Promises and Challenges
June 5, 2024
Keynote: Julia Glade Bender, Vice Chair for Clinical Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Finding Cures through Innovative Research in our Community
June 14, 2023
Keynote: Patrick J. Grohar, M.D. Ph.D., Director of Translational Research in the Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Precision Medicine: Small Scale, Big Impact
June 8, 2022
Keynote: Jack F. Shern, M.D., Head, Tumor Evolution and Genomics Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute at NIH
Research Breakthroughs with Early Funding
June 2, 2021
Keynote Panel: Curt Civin, M.D. University of Maryland, Haneen Shalabi, D.O, National Cancer Institute, and Jeffrey Toretsky, M.D. Georgetown University’s Lombardi Cancer Center
