Adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in melanoma: a viable treatment option

• Published in: Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 102
• Main Authors: Rohaan, Maartje W, van den Berg, Joost H, Kvistborg, Pia, Haanen, John B A G
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 03.10.2018; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BioMed Central; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Adoptive cell therapy; Cancer; Cancer patients; Cancer therapies; Care and treatment; Clinical trials; Cytokines; Diagnosis; Drug dosages; Immunotherapy; Interleukin-2; Lymphocytes; Lymphodepletion; Melanoma; Metastasis; Review; Skin cancer; Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; United States > US; Maryland; Netherlands; Antigen recognition; Lymphodepletion; Interleukin-2; Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; Immunotherapy; Melanoma; Adoptive cell therapy; Combination therapy
• ISSN: 2051-1426; 2051-1426
• DOI: 10.1186/s40425-018-0391-1

The treatment of metastatic melanoma patients with autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) shows robust, reproducible, clinical responses in clinical trials executed in several specialized centers over the world. Even in the era of targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibition, TIL therapy can be an additional and clinically relevant treatment line. This review provides an overview of the clinical experiences with TIL therapy thus far, including lymphodepleting regimens, the use of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and the associated toxicity. Characteristics of the TIL products and the antigen recognition pattern will be discussed, as well as the current and upcoming production strategies, including the selective expansion of specific fractions from the cell product. In addition, the future potential of TIL therapy in melanoma and other tumor types will be covered.