TIL therapy for melanoma

TIL therapy (Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes) is one of the most advanced forms of immunotherapy available in Israel for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, especially in patients whose tumors have different genetic profiles and who do not respond to standard treatments.

It is also showing promise in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer that is resistant to conventional therapies.

TIL means  “infiltration (or introduction) of tumor lymphocytes.” During TIL therapy, cancer cells are destroyed by a human’s own lymphocytes (autologous method).

Clinical Effectiveness

Ongoing research shows a high clinical response rate—over 50%—in patients treated with TIL therapy, making it a highly promising option for those with hard-to-treat melanoma or lung cancer.

Doctors use this data to develop more effective and personalized treatment strategies, particularly for patients who have exhausted other options.

World-Leading Research in Israel

TIL therapy is being actively researched and applied at Israel’s Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-Oncology, part of Sheba Medical Center—recognized as one of the world’s top hospitals.

This cutting-edge work is led by Prof. Jacob Schachter, a global expert in melanoma treatment, in collaboration with the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

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.

How TIL Therapy Works

TIL therapy is a form of immunotherapy that harnesses the power of your own immune system to fight cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, it typically causes fewer side effects.

Here’s how the process works:

• Tumor Removal: A sample of your metastatic melanoma tissue is surgically removed.
• Cell Extraction: In the laboratory, specialists isolate both tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from the tissue.
• Cell Selection and Activation: The most active TILs—those best at attacking melanoma cells—are selected and grown in large numbers.
• Cell Infusion: After 2–4 weeks, once enough cancer-fighting TILs have been produced, they are infused back into your bloodstream to target and destroy cancer cells throughout the body.

This personalized treatment boosts your immune system’s ability to recognize and attack melanoma more effectively.

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

We strongly recommend reaching out to us as early as possible when a new therapy is needed. Early consultation is critical for the effective treatment of melanoma.

Free Consultation on TIL Therapy

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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