The recent approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of lifileucel, the first commercial tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy for advanced melanoma, is a significant breakthrough in cancer treatment. Moffitt Cancer Center scientists have outlined the evolution and potential of TIL therapy in a new commentary published in Cancer Cell.
Described as a significant advancement in personalized cancer treatment, TIL therapy offers new hope for patients with cancers that are resistant to conventional treatments, according to Dr. Amod Sarnaik, lead author and senior member of the Cutaneous Oncology Department at Moffitt.
The development of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy dates back several decades. Initial studies on its effectiveness began in the early 1980s at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dr. James J. Mulé, a renowned immunologist and associate center director of Translational Science at Moffitt, introduced TIL research at the cancer center in 2003. Moffitt has since played a crucial role in advancing and validating this immunotherapy.
Moffitt initiated its first TIL trials in 2010, becoming the first center outside the NCI to offer patients this investigational therapy. The initial study, which treated 13 patients with advanced metastatic melanoma, showed promising results with five responses, including two complete responses lasting over five years. Subsequent clinical trials at Moffitt focused on reducing the dropout rate during TIL manufacturing due to disease progression. By combining TIL therapy with newly approved anti-melanoma agents, the dropout rate decreased significantly from 32% to 5%.
Research at Moffitt is not only focused on improving current TIL therapy but also on developing the next generation of this treatment. Dr. Shari Pilon-Thomas and other immunologists at Moffitt are exploring innovative ways to enhance TIL therapy growth and manufacturing processes, as well as determining the optimal infusion timing for better patient outcomes. Additionally, Moffitt researchers are expanding the application of this therapeutic approach to other solid tumor types, such as lung, sarcoma, cervical, and bladder cancers.
Dr. Patrick Hwu, President, and CEO of Moffitt, emphasized the promising future of T-cell and cell therapies for advanced cancers. He sees the FDA’s approval of lifileucel as a crucial milestone that will drive further advancements and investments in T-cell therapies, particularly TIL therapy. Moffitt’s ongoing research into next-generation TIL therapies aims to make these life-saving treatments accessible to a wider range of cancer patients.
