TIL therapy (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes) is one of the modern types of immunotherapy used in Israel medicine for the treatment of metastatic melanoma with a different tumor genome (genetic composition) in patients who are resistant to standard treatment.
TIL Therapy is also used to treat those with non-small cell lung cancer that is refractory to standard lines of therapy.
TIL means “infiltration (or introduction) of tumor lymphocytes.” During TIL therapy, cancer cells are destroyed by a human’s own lymphocytes (autologous method).
As a result of research, TIL therapy shows a high rate of clinical response to treatment (more than 50%), which helps doctors build the most successful treatment strategy for melanoma in the near future.
The TIL method has been studied and continues to be studied by the largest Melanoma Institute in Israel “Ella Lamelbaum”, Sheba Medical Center under the leadership of its Chairman Prof. Jacob Schachter, in collaboration with the US National Cancer Institute.
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The Lamelbaum Institute has a large cell therapy laboratory and conducts Phase I trials as well as new experimental treatments such as Fecal Microbiome Transplantation (FMT).
The Institute has an extensive, one of the largest, clinical-serological-genetic database (TIL, tumor cells, paraffin blocks, serum, clinical data) and has extensive clinical and laboratory experience.
To date, at the Institute more than 200 people who are refractory to standard treatment have undergone treatment of melanoma using the TIL method.
More than 1,500 people have been treated for melanoma with immunotherapy, with 1,000 new ones receiving treatment each year.
TIL THERAPY MECHANISM
Since TIL therapy is an immunological treatment, it uses the strength of the human immune system to operate, which, unlike chemotherapy, causes the least number of side effects.
TIL-cells and tumor cells are extracted from melanoma metastasis tissue in laboratory. Then the most aggressive TIL-cells which capable of destroying melanoma cells are selected and propagated artificially. Then they are injected into the your blood. It takes about 2-4 weeks to create a sufficient number of melanoma cells-killers.
Your metastatic melanoma tissue will be removed, and TIL cells and tumor cells will be isolated from them in the laboratory. Then the most aggressive TIL cells capable of destroying melanoma cells will be selected from them. Selected active cells are propagated artificially and then injected into your blood. It takes 2-4 weeks to create enough melanoma killer cells.
TIL Procedure Steps
Step 1:
Before treatment with TIL, the following examination should be done in Israel:
- Blood and urine test
- PET-CT (positron emission tomography)
- ECG (electrocardiography)
- Vision check up
- Doctor Consultation
Based on the results of the consultation, specialists will determine whether the procedure may be done in your case or whether other treatment is necessary, incl. immunotherapy for melanoma.
Step 2:
Part of the tumor or metastasis is removed and sent to the laboratory in order to isolate the cell cultures. If it was successful, your should be hospitalized to continue the procedure.
Some patients may receive an additional course of chemotherapy to neutralize some body’s biological forces which can resist the work of TIL cells, and also to enhance the effect of TIL cells on melanoma cells. After this, an intravenous injection of a large number (several million) of TIL-cellswill be done. To support therapy and additional stimulation of lymphocytes, also immunomodulator should be taken.
TIL Therapy Efficiency
Since TIL-therapy is an immunological treatment it stimulates forces of the immune system that, unlike chemotherapy, causes less side effects.
The effectiveness of the TIL method is stipulated by taking into account the high degree of melanoma aggression and its tendency to rapid metastasis.
According to the result of the research, TIL-therapy shows a high clinical response to treatment (more than 50%), which helps doctors to create the most successful melanoma treatment strategy for the nearest future.
Today, TIL-therapy is one of the safest treatment methods in Israel that can prolong a person’s life and significantly improve its quality.
Keypoints:
– TIL therapy can cause long-lasting effects in metastatic melanoma
– Patients who respond to treatment may achieve a cure
– We now know that TIL therapy also “works” for patients who have already undergone prior immunotherapy
Our specialists recommend to contact us as early as possible when new therapy is required. It is extremely important for the melanoma treatment.
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Study Results on Adaptive Cell Therapy with TIL
Please see below some study results, provided by the Ella Lamelbaum Institute of Immuno-Oncology
1. Objective response and overall survival (2005 – 2016)
103 patients took part in the study.
The response rate was 29%, with a complete response in 8 patients (overall survival was from 92+ to 15 months) and a partial response in 21 ones (overall survival 85+ to 4 months).
Patients who did not respond to treatment – 71%, with stable disease in 16 patients (overall survival was from 83+ to 2+ months), progressive disease in 55 ones (overall survival from 28+ to 1 month).
2. Overall Survival
The overall 6-year survival rate in those with complete and partial response to treatment was 50%.
Progression-Free Survival
The overall 6-year progression-free survival rate in those with complete and partial response to treatment was 43%.
3. Efficacy of TIL therapy compared with Ipilimumab (2005 – 2016)
Objective response to TIL therapy (complete response + partial response) was observed in 41 of 84 patients while an objective response to treatment with Ipilimumab – in 33 of 84 patients.
*More detailed statistics and other relevant information will be provided by the doctor during the consultation.
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Who is a candidate for TIL therapy?
Adaptive TIL cell therapy is indicated if your condition meets the following criteria:
- Stage M1c
- Brain metastases
- LDH level is higher than normal
- The presence of more than 5 metastases in the body
- Resistance to standard treatments
TIL for the treatment of Uveal melanoma
TIL treatment also shows promising results in patients with uveal melanoma (eye melanoma)
Metastatic uveal melanoma is a rare disease, its response to anti-PD-1 therapy is very scarce – about 3%. The prognosis is poor with no active therapy.
Some uveal melanoma patients treated with TIL at the Lamelbaum Institute achieved an objective tumor regression of 35% (7 pts). This response was associated with the level of antitumor reactivity.
TIL therapy in responding cases shows:
– higher number of reactive T cells
– higher release of INFy after autologous tumor stimulation.
Currently, TIL therapy is considered as a treatment for diseases such as ovarian cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and transitional cell carcinoma.
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