Abstract The explosion in the immuno-oncology field, exemplified by the clinical implementation of immune checkpoint inhibitor blockade and other immunotherapeutic strategies was quickly recognized by the Italian biomedical community, thanks to the networking activities of the Italian Network for Tumor Biotherapy (NIBIT), which has been active since 2004 in the diffusion of new scientific and clinical findings in the fields of tumor immunology and immunotherapy. Numerous activities of NIBIT have also helped to overcome the hurdles associated with the clinical implementation of cancer immune-biotherapeutic strategies at the national and international levels. Looking forward, a concerted interaction of NIBIT with existing European networks focused on cancer bio-immunotherapy will further contribute to the development of improved therapies in the immuno-oncology field. This Introduction briefly summarizes the history and objectives of NIBIT, as well as the current activities of the Network.