Hormonal Influences on Immunity and Cancer Across the Lifespan
Oct 05–08, 2026 | Beaver Run Conference Center, Breckenridge, CO, United States
Scientific Organizers:
Suzanne D. Conzen, Amy Moran, and James DeGregori
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In Person
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Oct 05–08, 2026 | Beaver Run Conference Center, Breckenridge, CO, United States
Scientific Organizers: Suzanne D. Conzen, Amy Moran, and James DeGregori
Suzanne D. Conzen, MD
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Suzanne D. Conzen, Ph.D., is a biomedical researcher and leader in the field of genome editing. She is a University of Texas Southwestern Professor and Chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology. Her laboratory helped identify a role for glucocorticoid receptor (GR) transcriptional activity in epithelial cell cancers- in breast, prostate and ovarian cancer biology. She has spearheaded translational models leading to the clinical use of GR modulators of glucocorticoid receptors for targeting GR-mediated cell survival and tissue-specific pathways in cancer, expanding understanding of how GR modulators influence the tumor immune response in vivo.
Amy Moran, PhD
Oregon Health & Science University
Amy Moran, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Oregon Health & Sciences University and a member of the Knight Cancer Institute. Her research demonstrated that T cell receptor signal strength determines lineage fate selection of developing T cells, leading to the generation of the Nur77GFP reporter mouse that is widely used today. She has extensive experience in tumor immunology and immunotherapy resistance; her group was the first to describe hormone receptor signaling as a mechanism of resistance to various therapies targeting melanoma and prostate cancer.
James DeGregori, PhD
University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine
James DeGregorio, Ph.D., is Deputy Director of the Cancer Center and a professor at the University of Colorado. His pioneering research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of the role of the aging tumor microenvironment and cancer evolution. He has extensive experience in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and promoting opportunities in biomedical research as the former director of the Molecular Biology PhD program and through leaderships roles in the Cancer Center.
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Supported by:
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On Demand
***Meeting program subject to change.
Available Formats: = Livestream = In Person = On DemandMonday, October 5, 2026
Fundraising
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Registration
1:00–6:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Welcome Remarks
3:00–3:10 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Keynote Address
3:10–4:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Alberto Mantovani, Fondazione Humanitas per la Ricerca
Intersection of Inflammation and Cancer
Intersection of Inflammation and Cancer
Hormones, Immunity and Cancer Risk
4:00–6:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Quinn T Ostrom, Duke University
Sex Differences in Glioma
Sex Differences in Glioma
Duygu Ucar, The Jackson Laboratory
Sexual-Dimorphism in Human Immune System Aging
Sexual-Dimorphism in Human Immune System Aging
Christy Hagan, University of Kansas Medical Center
Hormone–Immune Crosstalk: How Progesterone Enables Immune Escape in Breast Cancer
Hormone–Immune Crosstalk: How Progesterone Enables Immune Escape in Breast Cancer
Megan Ruhland, Oregon Health & Science University
Short Talk: Androgen Receptor Restrains Dendritic Cell Function and Anti-Tumor Immunity In Melanoma
Short Talk: Androgen Receptor Restrains Dendritic Cell Function and Anti-Tumor Immunity In Melanoma
Rachel Huynh, Oregon Health & Science University
Short Talk: Androgen Receptor Signaling Mediates CD8 T cell Migration
Short Talk: Androgen Receptor Signaling Mediates CD8 T cell Migration
Welcome Reception
6:00–8:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Summit Gallery
Sex Differences in Cancer Immunity and Outcomes
8:00–11:00 AM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Joseph Unger, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Cancer Treatment Outcomes and Sex Differences: Evaluations Using Clinical Trial Databases
Cancer Treatment Outcomes and Sex Differences: Evaluations Using Clinical Trial Databases
Amy Moran, Oregon Health & Science University
Hormone Receptor Action as Immune Modifiers Affecting IO Outcome
Hormone Receptor Action as Immune Modifiers Affecting IO Outcome
Fabio Conforti, European Institute of Oncology
Sex Differences in the Efficacy of Immunotherapy for Various Cancers, with Immunotherapy being Less Effective in Women than in Men
Sex Differences in the Efficacy of Immunotherapy for Various Cancers, with Immunotherapy being Less Effective in Women than in Men
Xue-Yan He, Washington University in St. Louis
The Neural Bridge: Stress-remodeled Enteric Nervous System (ENS) in Colorectal Cancer
The Neural Bridge: Stress-remodeled Enteric Nervous System (ENS) in Colorectal Cancer
Kate Warde, University of Utah
Short Talk: Androgens Promote Anti-Tumor Immunity in Adrenal Cancer
Short Talk: Androgens Promote Anti-Tumor Immunity in Adrenal Cancer
Sam Cooke, SLUSOM
Short Talk: Sex Differences in CD8⁺ T Cell Activation Shape Tumor Immunoediting and May Underlie Disparate Immunotherapy Response
Short Talk: Sex Differences in CD8⁺ T Cell Activation Shape Tumor Immunoediting and May Underlie Disparate Immunotherapy Response
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Panel Discussion 1: Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
11:10–12:10 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
* Kendall W. Nettles, The Scripps Research Institute
Poster Setup
12:10–1:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
On Own for Lunch
12:10–2:30 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
Symposia Spotlight 1: Neuroendocrine Immune Regulation of Cancer - the Host, the Cancer Cell and the Microenvironment
2:30–4:30 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Karen Luisa Fernanda Alvarez-Eraso, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Short Talk: Estrogen Suppresses Glial IFN-I Signaling Through the TRIM24-IRF7 Axis to Impair Anti-Tumor Immunity in Premenopausal Models of Breast Cancer Brain Metastases
Short Talk: Estrogen Suppresses Glial IFN-I Signaling Through the TRIM24-IRF7 Axis to Impair Anti-Tumor Immunity in Premenopausal Models of Breast Cancer Brain Metastases
Kyuson Yun, Houston Methodist- Weill Cornell Medicine
Short Talk: Sex Differences in Neuroinflammation and Immune Evasion Through YAP1-B7H3-STAT3 Signaling Axis
Short Talk: Sex Differences in Neuroinflammation and Immune Evasion Through YAP1-B7H3-STAT3 Signaling Axis
Maria J Contreras-Zárate, University of Colorado
Short Talk: Endocrine Therapy and Radiation Remodel the Immune Microenvironment to Reprogram Intrinsic Antitumor Immune Response in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Brain Metastases
Short Talk: Endocrine Therapy and Radiation Remodel the Immune Microenvironment to Reprogram Intrinsic Antitumor Immune Response in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Brain Metastases
Hilal Bashir, Weill Cornell Medicine
Short Talk: A Chronic Stress–Gut Microbiome Interplay Controls Anti-Tumor B Cell Responses
Short Talk: A Chronic Stress–Gut Microbiome Interplay Controls Anti-Tumor B Cell Responses
Aashna Saxena, University of Miami
Short Talk: Neurotransmitter Signaling of Myeloid Cells Drives Glioblastoma in a Sex-Specific Manner
Short Talk: Neurotransmitter Signaling of Myeloid Cells Drives Glioblastoma in a Sex-Specific Manner
Julisa G Gonzalez, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Short Talk: Characterizing the Immunosuppressive Activity of GR In Clinically Relevant Models for Prostate Cancer
Short Talk: Characterizing the Immunosuppressive Activity of GR In Clinically Relevant Models for Prostate Cancer
Thomas I Heist, Georgetown University
Short Talk: An Immunocompetent Model of Endocrine Therapy-Resistant ER+ Breast Cancer Reveals Preserved ER Function, Immune Remodeling, and Altered Metastatic Behavior
Short Talk: An Immunocompetent Model of Endocrine Therapy-Resistant ER+ Breast Cancer Reveals Preserved ER Function, Immune Remodeling, and Altered Metastatic Behavior
Yongqiang Feng, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Short Talk: Convergent Defects in Treg and Conventional T Cells Promote Age-Associated Immune Dysregulation
Short Talk: Convergent Defects in Treg and Conventional T Cells Promote Age-Associated Immune Dysregulation
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Physiological and Social Stressors: Puberty, Pregnancy, & Menopause
5:00–7:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Pepper J Schedin, Oregon Health & Science University
Discovery of Mechanisms by Which Hormonal Changes of the Lifespan Affect Cancer Risk
Discovery of Mechanisms by Which Hormonal Changes of the Lifespan Affect Cancer Risk
Suzanne D. Conzen, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Pubertal Social Stressors and the Role of Glucocorticoid Receptor in Mammary Gland Development and Cancer Risk
Pubertal Social Stressors and the Role of Glucocorticoid Receptor in Mammary Gland Development and Cancer Risk
Elizabeth A. Bonney, University of Vermont
Pregnancy’s Influence on T Cell Regulation
Pregnancy’s Influence on T Cell Regulation
Traci Lyons, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Short Talk: Targeting SEMA7A During Windows of Susceptibility that Promote ER+ Breast Cancer Metastasis
Short Talk: Targeting SEMA7A During Windows of Susceptibility that Promote ER+ Breast Cancer Metastasis
Zeynep Madak-Erdogan, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Short Talk: Cortisol-Glucocorticoid Receptor Signaling as a Molecular Sensor of Socio-Environmental Stress in Breast and Lung Cancer
Short Talk: Cortisol-Glucocorticoid Receptor Signaling as a Molecular Sensor of Socio-Environmental Stress in Breast and Lung Cancer
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Summit Gallery
Poster Session 1
7:30–10:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Summit Gallery
The Aging Host and the Role of the Microenvironment
8:00–11:00 AM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Emi K. Nishimura, University of Tokyo
Melanocyte Stem Cells (McSCs) and their Niche Coordinately Determine Individual Stem Cell Fate through Depending on Exposome
Melanocyte Stem Cells (McSCs) and their Niche Coordinately Determine Individual Stem Cell Fate through Depending on Exposome
Marie-Ève Tremblay, University of Victoria
Roles of Microglia in Healthy Cognitive Aging
Roles of Microglia in Healthy Cognitive Aging
Curtis J. Henry, University of Colorado Cancer Center
Obesity and Anti-Tumor Immunity: Unraveling the Interconnectivity to Improve Immunotherapy Outcomes
Obesity and Anti-Tumor Immunity: Unraveling the Interconnectivity to Improve Immunotherapy Outcomes
Neil Carleton, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Short Talk: Systemic and Local Chronic Inflammation And Hormone Disposition Promote a Tumor-Permissive Environment for Breast Cancer In Older Women
Short Talk: Systemic and Local Chronic Inflammation And Hormone Disposition Promote a Tumor-Permissive Environment for Breast Cancer In Older Women
Salvador Gonzalez Ochoa, Meharry Medical College
Short Talk: TUSC2 Deficiency Disrupts NK Cell Maturation and Drives Sex-Dependent Functional Decline During Aging
Short Talk: TUSC2 Deficiency Disrupts NK Cell Maturation and Drives Sex-Dependent Functional Decline During Aging
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Panel Discussion 2: Aging of the Tumor Microenvironment - Who are the Main Players?
11:10–12:10 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Poster Setup
12:10–1:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
On Own for Lunch
12:10–3:00 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
Career Roundtable: Successful Interdisciplinary Science and Learning to Speak another Language
3:00–4:30 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Metabolic and Hormonal Changes as a Driver of Tumorigenesis
5:00–7:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Ana P. Gomes, Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
Understanding Cancer through the Lens of Old Age
Understanding Cancer through the Lens of Old Age
Nima Sharifi, University of Miami
Steroid Metabolism in Physiology and Cancer
Steroid Metabolism in Physiology and Cancer
Michael Hwang, Genentech
Nuclear Hormone Receptor Signaling and Anti-Tumor Immunity
Nuclear Hormone Receptor Signaling and Anti-Tumor Immunity
Ana Carrizosa Anderson, Harvard Medical School
Hormonal Control of T Cell Differentiation
Hormonal Control of T Cell Differentiation
Kirsten E Cosper, CU Anschutz
Short Talk: FADS2 Drives Lipid Remodeling and Suppresses Ferroptosis in Endocrine Therapy Resistant Breast Cancer
Short Talk: FADS2 Drives Lipid Remodeling and Suppresses Ferroptosis in Endocrine Therapy Resistant Breast Cancer
Timothy Gauntner, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Short Talk: Androgen Deprivation Reprograms Human CD8+ T Cell Fate Through an Androgen Receptor–BHLHE40 Axis
Short Talk: Androgen Deprivation Reprograms Human CD8+ T Cell Fate Through an Androgen Receptor–BHLHE40 Axis
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Summit Gallery
Poster Session 2
7:30–10:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 1-3
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Summit Gallery
Immunity and Lifespan
8:00–11:00 AM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
James DeGregori, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine
Age and Sex Alter the Direction of Clonal Selection in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Pools
Age and Sex Alter the Direction of Clonal Selection in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Pools
Yash Chhabra, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Beyond the Surface: Decoding Age and Sex Disparity in Melanoma Progression and Therapy Response
Beyond the Surface: Decoding Age and Sex Disparity in Melanoma Progression and Therapy Response
Stella Victorelli, Mayo Clinic
Mitochondrial Apoptotic Stress during Cellular Senescence: Fueling Inflammation during Aging and Disease
Mitochondrial Apoptotic Stress during Cellular Senescence: Fueling Inflammation during Aging and Disease
Barry I Hudson, Georgetown University
Short Talk: Aging Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis Through RAGE-Dependent Inflammatory and Stromal Remodeling
Short Talk: Aging Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis Through RAGE-Dependent Inflammatory and Stromal Remodeling
Olivia Palmer †, Dartmouth College
Short Talk: Sex Hormones Shape Human Macrophage Fate, Metabolism, And Effector Function
Short Talk: Sex Hormones Shape Human Macrophage Fate, Metabolism, And Effector Function
Alessandra I Riggio, Huntsman Cancer Institute
Short Talk: Elucidating the Molecular Mechanisms of Estrogen Deprivation-Induced Dormancy in Patient-Derived Models of Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
Short Talk: Elucidating the Molecular Mechanisms of Estrogen Deprivation-Induced Dormancy in Patient-Derived Models of Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
Kathy Cheng Wang, Georgetown University
Short Talk: Obesity associated Estrogen:NFκB cooperation drives NK and CD8+ T cell impairment in Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
Short Talk: Obesity associated Estrogen:NFκB cooperation drives NK and CD8+ T cell impairment in Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
On Own for Lunch
11:00–2:30 PM
Symposia Spotlight 2: Hormones, Immunity and Cancer –Therapy Resistance, Therapy Toxicity
2:30–4:30 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Dillon Boulton, University of Colorado | Anschutz Medical Campus
Short Talk: The Impact of Androgen Receptors on ER+ Breast Cancer Microenvironments
Short Talk: The Impact of Androgen Receptors on ER+ Breast Cancer Microenvironments
Milica Momcilovic, University of California, Los Angeles
Short Talk: Estrogen-GPCR Signaling Axis Drives Resistance to Targeted Therapy in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Short Talk: Estrogen-GPCR Signaling Axis Drives Resistance to Targeted Therapy in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Sally W Feng, The George Washington Univeristy
Short Talk: Early Life Ablation of Tissue Resident Macrophages Promotes Prostate Epithelial Cell Hyperplasia
Short Talk: Early Life Ablation of Tissue Resident Macrophages Promotes Prostate Epithelial Cell Hyperplasia
Diana T LeVasseur, Morehouse School of Medicine
Short Talk: Evaluation of Ancestry-Associated HER2 And Androgen Receptor Expression in Prostate Cancer Patients Using Liquid Biopsy
Short Talk: Evaluation of Ancestry-Associated HER2 And Androgen Receptor Expression in Prostate Cancer Patients Using Liquid Biopsy
Courtney Anderson, San Diego State University
Short Talk: Tissues Habituated to Hormonal Growth Stimuli Depend on MLH1 for Treatment Efficacy
Short Talk: Tissues Habituated to Hormonal Growth Stimuli Depend on MLH1 for Treatment Efficacy
Songhai Chen, University of Iowa
Short Talk: In Vivo CRISPR Screening Identifies NFKB1 as a Regulator of Endocrine Resistance in ER⁺ Breast Cancer
Short Talk: In Vivo CRISPR Screening Identifies NFKB1 as a Regulator of Endocrine Resistance in ER⁺ Breast Cancer
Lisa Chesner †, UCSF
Short Talk: Hormonal Regulation of Antigen Presentation and Immune Response Throughout Prostate Cancer Progression
Short Talk: Hormonal Regulation of Antigen Presentation and Immune Response Throughout Prostate Cancer Progression
Esther M Peluso, UCLA
Short Talk: Protection from Checkpoint Inhibitor Autoimmune Toxicities Revealed by Androgen Signaling
Short Talk: Protection from Checkpoint Inhibitor Autoimmune Toxicities Revealed by Androgen Signaling
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
The Aging Immune System and the Onset of Disease
5:00–7:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Kendall W. Nettles, The Scripps Research Institute
Using Machine Learning to Model Nuclear Receptor Biology in T Cells and Tissues
Using Machine Learning to Model Nuclear Receptor Biology in T Cells and Tissues
Ben A Youngblood, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Translating Epigenetic Mechanisms of T Cell Exhaustion into Durable Tumor Immunity
Translating Epigenetic Mechanisms of T Cell Exhaustion into Durable Tumor Immunity
Alison Ringel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Age-Related Effects on Anti-Tumor Immunity
Age-Related Effects on Anti-Tumor Immunity
Elise Alspach, Saint Louis University
Sex Differences in Immunoediting
Sex Differences in Immunoediting
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions
7:00–7:15 PM
Colorado Ballroom Peak 4-5
Social Hour with Dinner
7:15–8:15 PM
Summit Gallery
Friday, October 9, 2026
Departure
8:00–11:59 PM
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