Autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (MD Anderson)

Autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy is a form of adoptive cell transfer developed by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. The therapeutic process involves surgically extracting naturally occurring T-cells that have infiltrated a patient's tumor, followed by an ex vivo expansion phase using high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) to generate billions of tumor-reactive cells. Prior to reinfusion, patients undergo a lymphodepleting conditioning regimen, typically consisting of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine, to eliminate immunosuppressive cells and optimize the environment for the transferred TILs. Once reinfused, the TILs are intended to recognize and eliminate cancer cells throughout the body. Clinical evaluations at M.D. Anderson have explored various protocols, including the use of dendritic cell immunization to enhance T-cell persistence and specialized cohorts for patients with leptomeningeal disease or those who have failed BRAF inhibitor therapy.

Other names

MD Anderson TIL therapyTumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (MD Anderson)Adoptive Cell Transfer (MD Anderson)