Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy is an FDA-approved cellular immunotherapy designed to help the body recognize and attack melanoma cells using a patient’s own immune system.
While early-stage melanoma often has strong outcomes, advanced or metastatic melanoma can be much harder to treat. TIL therapy offers a new treatment approach to advanced disease that have failed other therapies.
How TIL Therapy Works
TIL therapy uses immune cells already found inside a patient’s tumor. These immune cells, called lymphocytes, are part of the body’s natural defense system and can recognize cancer cells as abnormal. There are lymphocytes outside the tumor and inside the tumor. The lymphocytes inside the tumor are the most powerful of all lymphocytes to kill the cancer cells.
Treatment begins with a procedure to remove a portion of the tumor so specialists can collect these cancer-fighting immune cells. The cells are then sent to a specialized laboratory, where they are grown and multiplied into billions of cells over several weeks.
Once the cells are ready, patients receive preparatory treatment and infusion support from specialized oncology teams at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. The expanded TIL cells are then infused back into the bloodstream, followed by close monitoring and supportive care throughout treatment and recovery.
Patients receiving TIL therapy benefit from coordinated care across the UC Cancer Center network, including access to advanced infusion services, oncology nursing expertise and supportive care teams focused on patient comfort and safety during every phase of treatment.
The TIL Therapy Process
- Tumor tissue is removed during a surgical procedure
- Immune cells are collected and expanded in a specialized lab
- Patients receive preparatory treatment before infusion
- TIL cells are infused back into the bloodstream
- Patients receive monitoring, recovery support and follow-up care
When TIL Therapy Is Used
TIL therapy may be considered for patients with advanced-stage or metastatic melanoma, especially when the disease has continued growing after other treatments such as immunotherapy or targeted therapy.
Because this therapy is highly specialized, patients undergo careful evaluation to determine whether it is the right option for their condition and overall health.
Conditions Treated
TIL therapy is FDA approved for certain patients with:
- Advanced melanoma
- Metastatic melanoma
- Melanoma that has progressed after prior treatment
Additional cellular therapy applications continue to be studied through ongoing cancer research and clinical innovation.
Benefits of This Approach
TIL therapy offers a different approach to melanoma treatment by using the patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer.
Potential benefits may include:
- A personalized treatment approach
- Another option when standard therapies stop working
- The ability to target melanoma cells throughout the body
- Durable responses for some patients
For patients facing advanced melanoma, TIL therapy may provide renewed hope when treatment options feel limited.
Risks and Side Effects
Like many advanced cancer therapies, TIL treatment can cause side effects. Patients are closely monitored throughout treatment and recovery by experienced cellular therapy specialists.
Possible side effects may include:
- Fatigue
- Fever or chills
- Low blood cell counts
- Infection risk
- Side effects related to immune-support medications
Care teams work closely with patients and families to manage symptoms and provide supportive care throughout the process.
Why Choose the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center?
Bringing Advanced Cellular Therapy to the Region
- One of the few centers in the region offering FDA-approved TIL therapy
- Specialists involved in developing and studying advanced cancer therapies through clinical trials, helping bring experience and insight to newly approved treatments
- Early access to emerging therapies and innovations in melanoma care through academic medicine and research
- Infusion centers throughout the tri-state area including Cincinnati, West Chester and Florence, Kentucky
- Comprehensive support for patients and families throughout treatment and recovery
If advanced melanoma treatments are no longer working as expected, TIL therapy may offer another option. Contact the Sarcoma, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center or call 513-585-8222 to learn more about this treatment.