Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are immune cells that have migrated into the tumor microenvironment, where they recognize and target cancer cells. As a form of adoptive cell therapy, TILs can be harvested from a patient’s tumor, expanded ex vivo, and reinfused to promote immune-mediated tumor destruction. This approach leverages the body’s natural defense mechanisms and has shown promise in treating solid tumors, particularly in patients with limited responses to conventional therapies. Ongoing research continues to refine TIL-based strategies, optimizing their efficacy and integration into multidisciplinary cancer care.
The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) offers resources for TIL provider education and highlights best practices for improving care coordination between authorized treatment centers and community practices to enable timely referrals and access to treatment.
Examine key findings from oncology clinician focus groups on improving access to TIL cell therapy for advanced melanoma. Discover how referring practices and authorized treatment centers can optimize coordination, enhance patient and caregiver education, and ensure equitable access.
Explore a concise, practical framework to identify patients with advanced melanoma who may benefit from TIL cell therapy. Gain key insights for ensuring timely, coordinated care through enhanced multidisciplinary collaboration and streamlined referral processes.
ACCC is excited to share its new provider resources for TIL cell therapy, including a referral readiness checklist, patient pathway guide, and white paper with tangible steps for improving access.
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy is a promising option for patients with advanced melanoma, but logistical and referral challenges can be a barrier to care. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Lilit Karapetyan, MD, MS, FACP, medical oncologist at Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute, an authorized treatment center (ATC) for TIL cell therapy, and Raju Vaddepally, MD, hematologist-oncologist at Florida Cancer Specialists, a non-ATC, about the referral process. Both guests discuss the relationship between their cancer programs, offering actionable tips on how to streamline the identification and referral of melanoma patients for TIL therapy across institutions.
This program was made possible with support from Iovance.
