Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) Therapy

1. Initial Consult: A consultation is required with one of our cellular therapy specialists. During this visit, we will review your medical history, discuss available treatment options, and determine whether TIL therapy is an appropriate treatment for your condition.
2. Evaluation and Preparation: Before beginning treatment, you will undergo a comprehensive evaluation to ensure that TIL therapy can be administered safely and effectively. Testing may include blood work, imaging studies, such as Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, and assessments of heart, lung, and other organ function. These evaluations help our team understand the status of your disease and develop a personalized treatment plan.
3. Tumor procurement: TIL therapy requires lymphocytes obtained directly from the patient’s tumor. Patients will undergo a surgical procedure to remove a suitable tumor specimen, which is then sent to a specialized manufacturing facility. Our cell therapy team works closely with surgical oncologists and other specialists to identify the safest and most appropriate tumor site for collection.
4. TIL Manufacturing: At the manufacturing facility, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are isolated from the tumor tissue and expanded into billions of highly active immune cells.  Manufacturing typically takes several weeks.
5. Lymphodepleting Chemotherapy: Prior to receiving your TIL infusion, you will receive lymphodepleting chemotherapy. This chemotherapy reduces existing immune cells and creates an appropriate environment for the infused TILs. This treatment is usually given inpatient for 7 days.
6. TIL Cell Infusion: The expanded TIL cells are given through an intravenous (IV) infusion similar to a blood transfusion. Once infused, the cells circulate throughout the body and begin recognizing and attacking cancer cells.  
7. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) Treatments: Interleukin-2 (IL-2), an immune-stimulating medication that supports the growth and activation of the infused lymphocytes. Within 24 hours after your TIL cell infusion, you will receive IL-2 infusions. IL-2 plays an important role in maximizing the effectiveness of TIL therapy.
8. Recovery and Monitoring: Recovery from TIL therapy requires close monitoring and supportive care for several weeks. Patients are carefully observed for side effects, treatment response, and recovery of blood counts and immune function. During this period, patients may need assistance with daily activities, household tasks, transportation, and driving to your medical appointments. Our multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive support throughout treatment and recovery to help patients navigate each stage safely and successfully.

Support and Follow-up Care

As a part of the pre-TIL process, you will identify a live-in caregiver that will stay with you around the clock after discharge. Your caregiver is usually a family member or close friend whom you can rely on, and they play a very important role in your treatment process and recovery. Recovering from TIL therapy can be challenging for both patients and their loved ones. Patients often stay in the hospital for about 2-4 weeks. After discharge, patients continue to receive regular follow-up care to monitor treatment response, manage side effects, prevent infections, and assess long-term outcomes.