Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy is a type of cancer treatment, particularly for melanoma, which involves using a patient's own immune cells to fight the cancer. The process typically includes the following steps:
- Surgical Resection: First, a tumor is surgically removed from the patient.
- Isolation and Expansion: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which are immune cells that have penetrated the tumor tissue, are isolated from this resected tumor. These cells are then grown and expanded in a laboratory setting to increase their numbers. This expansion process often involves the use of specific growth factors that stimulate the proliferation of TILs.
- Lymphodepleting Chemotherapy: Before these expanded TILs are reinfused into the patient, the patient usually undergoes a non-myeloablative, lymphodepleting chemotherapy. This step helps to create a more favorable environment in the patient's body for the infused TILs to function effectively.
- TIL Infusion and IL-2 Administration: The expanded TILs are then infused back into the patient. This is often followed by the administration of high doses of interleukin-2 (IL-2), a cytokine that supports the growth and activity of immune cells, including TILs.
- Recovery and Supportive Care: Following the infusion, patients typically receive supportive care, which may include blood or platelet transfusions and other treatments to manage side effects and aid recovery.
The effectiveness of TIL therapy depends on various factors, including the characteristics of the tumor and the patient's overall health. This therapy is considered a form of adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy, capitalizing on the body's natural immune response to fight cancer.
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