TIL (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte) therapy is a type of cellular immunotherapy that may be used to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, lung cancer, genitourinary cancers and a growing list of other malignancies. Cellular immunotherapy leverages components of the patient’s own immune system to seek out and attack specific cancer cells.
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What are TILs?
Before discussing how TIL therapy works, it may be helpful to first explain exactly what TILs are. As was noted above, TILs are a type of lymphocyte, which is an immune cell that is made in the bone marrow and found within the blood and lymph tissue. There are two main types of lymphocytes: B lymphocytes (which produce antibodies) and T lymphocytes (which help destroy tumor cells and control immune responses). TILs move from the blood into tumors, where they can recognize and destroy cancer cells.
How does TIL therapy work?
TIL therapy essentially uses altered tumor cells to destroy the tumor itself. In TIL therapy, TILs are collected from the tumor during a biopsy, or surgical resection, and grown to very large numbers in a laboratory with interleukin-2 (IL-2), a protein that promotes rapid TIL growth. This process typically takes several weeks, which means that patients will qualify for TIL therapy only if their tumor is stable enough to withstand that waiting period.
Once successfully grown to billions in number, the TILs are infused back into the patient, where they actively attack cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. A brief course of chemotherapy is required prior to the TIL infusion to help the TIL attack the tumor.
Unlike many other forms of cancer treatment that require ongoing care, TIL therapy is generally performed only one time. However, if a patient previously benefited from TIL therapy and he or she once again needs to undergo treatment, then TIL therapy may be performed a second time.
Does TIL therapy cause any side effects?
The side effects that develop shortly after the TIL infusion are usually relatively minor—especially when compared to the side effects associated with many other cancer treatments—and may include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Shortness of breath
Once two weeks have passed after the TIL infusion, the chance of a new adverse event occurring is low. Researchers believe that this may have to do with the fact that TIL therapy is typically performed only one time rather than on an ongoing basis.
TIL therapy vs. CAR T-cell therapy
TIL therapy and CAR T-cell therapy are both forms of T-cell transfer therapy (also known as adoptive cell therapy, adoptive immunotherapy and immune cell therapy). T-cell transfer therapy is a type of immunotherapy that is aimed at strengthening a patient’s own immune cells so that they’re better able to destroy cancer cells.
Both TIL therapy and CAR T-cell therapy involve collecting a patient’s immune cells, growing the cells to large numbers in a laboratory and then returning the cells to the patient’s body via an intravenous needle. While the cells are growing in the laboratory, the patient may undergo chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
As was noted above, during TIL therapy, the TILs are grown to large numbers before being infused back into the patient. With CAR T-cell therapy, however, the T-cells are modified to make chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) before being returned to the patient's body. Once the modified T-cells have been returned, the CARs enable them to attach to proteins on the surface of cancer cells, where they can then attack the malignancy.
TIL therapy at Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt Cancer Center is helping revolutionize the way cancers are treated through TIL therapy and many other innovative treatments. With established physician-scientists and clinicians, our center is actively exploring cellular immunotherapies by spearheading ambitious research initiatives and a groundbreaking clinical trial program. Thanks in part to our dedication to improving patient outcomes and quality of life through research, Moffitt is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. We are the only Florida-based cancer center to hold this distinction.
While TIL therapy originally began as an advance against melanoma, the scientists at Moffitt have translated it for lung cancer, one of the world’s most deadly malignancies for which treatment research has remained underfunded. As a national leader in immunotherapies, we’re doubling down on cell therapy exploration. By continuing to support the development of new options, we're reducing mortality rates and offering hope to cancer patients who previously had none.
If you would like to learn about Moffitt’s approach to cellular immunotherapy, treatment options for your specific type of cancer or whether or not you are a candidate for TIL therapy, contact us at 1-888-663-3488 or complete a new patient registration form online. We make advanced cancer treatment accessible by providing clinical and supportive care services in one location and responding to potential patients’ inquiries as soon as possible.
