Tissue harvesting for adoptive tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy in metastatic melanoma

Background/Aim: Adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) combined with non-myeloablative chemotherapy (NMA) has been shown to prolong survival in patients with metastatic disease. Materials and Methods: Tissue harvesting was performed form a variety of sites. TILs were isolated, expanded and infused with bolus high-dose IL-2. Results: Between 2008 and 2018, 242 lesions were resected for TILs harvesting from a range of sites form 196 patients without mortality and with minimal morbidity. Of those harvested, 75 were unable to complete therapy because of clinical deterioration during the wait period. Of 121 evaluable treated patients, there was no effect of metastatic site biopsied on the mean fold TIL expansion. Those receiving prior ipilimumab had a higher TIL fold expansion but a lower TIL fold expansion than those exposed to anti-PD1 therapy. Conclusion: Harvesting may be safely performed with successful TIL expansion from most sites. Prior check point inhibitory immunotherapy may potentially influence TIL fold expansion.