Conference Summary

Autoimmunity is a fascinating and also fast-developing research area in immunology, due to the increasing rate of autoimmune disease diagnoses. 

Delineating the pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets involved in these different diseases requires the combined expertise of investigators working in the fields of immunogenetics, microbiology, basic mechanisms of immune tolerance, immune regulation, and tissue damage at the organ level, alongside translational scientists who treat patients. Developing therapies -- biologics and small molecules -- requires extensive knowledge of the immunological pathways involved in different autoimmune diseases. Notably, one of the major complications of cancer immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors is the development of a wide range of autoimmune complications ranging from colitis to diabetes. An increased emphasis on developing research areas as well as on therapeutics will stimulate strong interactions and cross-fertilization.