Tumor cells recognized by autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes

Tumor cells recognized by autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) represent a complex cellular target rather than a single molecular entity. These cells are characterized by the expression of unique neoantigens and tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) presented on their surface via Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules (Rosenberg & Restifo, Science, 2015). In the context of adoptive cell therapy, such as the FDA-approved Lifileucel, TILs are extracted from a patient's tumor, expanded ex vivo, and re-infused to specifically identify and destroy these malignant cells (FDA, 2024). The therapeutic efficacy relies on the diversity of the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire within the TIL population, allowing for a polyclonal attack against multiple tumor antigens simultaneously. This targeting strategy is primarily utilized in solid tumors with high mutational burdens, such as metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NCI, 2023). Because the target is defined by the patient's own immune recognition, it is highly personalized and bypasses the need for a single, universally expressed biomarker.

Other names

Autologous tumor cellsTIL-reactive tumor cellsNeoantigen-presenting tumor cellsPatient-specific tumor cells

Adoptive cell transfer of autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) which recognize and bind to various tumor-specific antigens or neoantigens presented on the surface of tumor cells via MHC, leading to cytotoxic T-cell mediated lysis (Rosenberg & Restifo, Science, 2015).