tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy (Hadassah Medical Organization)

This is an autologous adoptive cell therapy consisting of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) derived from a patient's own metastatic melanoma lesions. Developed by the Hadassah Medical Organization, the process involves surgically removing a tumor specimen, isolating resident T cells, and expanding them to therapeutic levels (at least 10^9 cells) in vitro using interleukin-2 (IL-2). The expanded TILs, which possess intrinsic reactivity against patient-specific tumor antigens, are reinfused into the patient following a non-myeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine. Post-infusion, high-dose IL-2 is administered to support the survival and proliferation of the transferred cells. This personalized immunotherapy aims to overcome immune tolerance and achieve objective tumor regression in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma who have limited treatment options.

Other names

tumor infiltrating lymphocytesTIL therapyadoptive cell therapyTIL and IL-2