Tumors grow in close contact with immune cells, and the crosstalk is complex and context dependent. Researchers are rapidly expanding our knowledge of how cancer can recruit inflammatory cells to support malignant progression and suppress antitumor immunity. We have learned that many immune cell types such as macrophages and T cells can display polarized phenotypes that act in favor of or against cancer and that these states are plastic. The field of cancer immunology is at an exciting place where basic science is having tremendous translational impact and cancer immunotherapy is at the brink of mainstream clinical practice.

In recognition, Cell Press is pleased to announce a symposium focused on inflammation and immunity in cancer. We will bring academic and industry researchers and clinicians together to explore the many facets of cancer immunology and discuss how tumor-associated inflammation can be reprogrammed for therapeutic benefit. We aim to foster discussion on recent findings in basic immunology, cancer-immune cell interaction, and new approaches in cancer immunotherapy.