Young tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (National Cancer Institute)

Young tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is an autologous cell-based immunotherapy developed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Surgery Branch specifically for the treatment of metastatic ocular (uveal) melanoma. The therapy involves the surgical removal of a metastatic tumor to procure T-cells that have naturally infiltrated the malignancy. These cells are then expanded ex vivo using a 'young' TIL protocol, which utilizes a shorter culture duration compared to traditional TIL manufacturing. This abbreviated expansion process is designed to prevent T-cell exhaustion and preserve the cells' proliferative capacity and effector function. Before the infusion of the expanded TIL product, patients receive a non-myeloablative lymphodepleting conditioning regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine. Following the intravenous administration of the TILs, patients typically receive high-dose aldesleukin (IL-2) to support the survival and expansion of the transferred T-cells in vivo. This approach represents a significant investigative effort to treat uveal melanoma, which is historically resistant to standard immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Other names

Young TILAutologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytesTIL therapyTILs