Abstract
At the end of June 2011, mathematicians, physicians and biomedical scientists met for a 2-day workshop at Bol, Island of Brač, Croatia. The purpose of the event was to evaluate the role of mathematical models as practical tools for optimizing cancer immunotherapy. Participants reviewed recent advances in the field and addressed potential causes of the lack of predictable clinical outcomes. They agreed that there is a need for treatments tailored to the individual patient based on the patient's ability to respond. Dynamic mathematical models based on the available understanding of interactions between the tumor, immunity and therapeutic intervention and ‘trained’ on the actual clinical data could help stratify patients before treatment and predict individual responses to ongoing treatment. In addition, mathematical models could assist in selecting the most beneficial individualized treatment modifications. Participants established a collaborative network to test some of the ideas discussed at the workshop and decided to review progress at the next meeting in Croatia in 2012.