We all know how difficult and challenging it is to fight cancer. But with the advancement of medical science day by day, new and innovative treatments are being found. Today, we are going to talk about a new method that many people have high hopes for, using our own body cells to treat cancer. This is called TIL Therapy.
Simply put, what is TIL Therapy?
Okay, let's keep this simple. You've probably heard of immunotherapy . It's about stimulating our own immune system, our own army that fights disease, to help destroy cancer cells. TIL therapy is one such immunotherapy.
This uses a very special, powerful type of immune cell in our body. These cells are called tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes , or TILs for short.
Think about it, our bodies have different types of soldiers (immune cells) that patrol the streets looking for disease. But these soldiers called TILs are even more special. They go right into tumors, that is, invade them, and learn exactly what the weak points of those cancer cells are and what the best way to destroy them is. They are like a special forces team that infiltrates the enemy camp and scouts.
So what's the problem? The problem is, our immune system can't make enough of these smart soldiers, or TILs. It's hard for the few who do have to fight this cancer alone and win.
That's where TIL therapy comes in. What this treatment does is take out those smartest TIL soldiers in your body, multiply them by billions, create a powerful army, and then put them back into your body. Then this great army goes and destroys the cancer cells.
What types of cancer can this treatment be used for?
As of 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a TIL therapy called lifileucel (Amtagvi®) . It is specifically designed to treat a type of skin cancer called melanoma . However, it is not suitable for all types of melanoma. This treatment is suitable for:
- It cannot be cured by surgery alone,
- Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic cancer),
- And for those who don't respond to the standard treatments that oncologists usually give first.
If you have a similar condition, you may be a good candidate for this treatment. You should talk to your doctor about it.
In addition, doctors and researchers are studying the success of TIL therapy for several other types of cancer, including:
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colon cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Non-small cell lung cancer
How does this treatment work? Let's learn step by step.
This is not something that happens in one day. The main thing is to give your own TIL cells back to yourself. But there are several steps before we get to that point. Let's look at those steps in order.
| Steps | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| 1. Removal of a portion of the tumor (Removal) | First, you are anesthetized, and a surgeon removes a small piece of your tumor, about the size of a grapefruit. This is sent to the lab. You will not feel any pain. |
| 2. TIL-harvesting and expansion | In the laboratory, TIL cells are isolated from the tumor. Then, using special techniques, they are multiplied by billions. This process takes about five weeks. Then, this army of cells is sent to your doctor. |
| 3. Chemotherapy infusion | You'll be admitted to the hospital and given chemotherapy for five to seven days. This is to prepare your body for the new army of TIL cells. |
| 4. Giving TIL cells to the body (TIL transfusion) | Now is the most important part. Your own TIL cells, which are made in the lab, are injected into your body like saline. This is only done once. It takes about two hours. |
| 5. Interleukin-2 infusion | After the TIL cells are given, you will be given a drug called Interleukin-2 (IL-2) for three to five days. This is also an immunotherapy. What this does is activate the TIL cells that have been infused into the body and encourage them to attack the cancer. |
After the treatment, you will need to stay in the hospital for a few more days. During that time, the medical team will carefully monitor how your body is responding to the treatment. After that, you will be advised to stay within easy reach of the hospital for a few weeks. This is so that you can get treatment quickly if you experience any side effects.
How long does this complete treatment take?
TIL therapy is a one-time treatment . However, the entire process from the day the cancer is removed, to the day the cells are created, to the time you are treated, to the time you are back to normal can take about 10 weeks . You will have to stay in the hospital for about two weeks.
What are the benefits and risks of this?
The benefits of this treatment
This is a very powerful, personalized treatment.
- A targeted attack: This treatment directly targets only cancer cells. Therefore, there is very little damage to healthy cells. This also reduces the risk of side effects.
- Long-term protection: The TIL cells that are injected into your body stay in your body for years. This means that even after treatment ends, these cells continue to fight cancer.
- New Hope: Perhaps most importantly, this brings great hope to people with melanoma cancers that were previously thought to be incurable.
A 2023 study showed that four years after receiving TIL therapy, 7 out of 10 people who received the treatment had no disease or progression. In 3 out of 10, the tumors had shrunk or disappeared completely.
Risks of treatment
As with any treatment, there are some risks. These side effects are mostly caused by the chemotherapy and interleukin-2 (IL-2) treatment. Side effects from TIL cell administration are very rare. The most common side effects are:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever and chills
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin rash
Very rarely, IL-2 treatment can cause a serious complication called capillary leak syndrome . But don't worry, your doctor will explain all these risks to you before you start treatment.
How long will it take for me to recover?
It may take two weeks or more before you start to feel better after your last dose of IL-2. This is because the body needs time to recover from the stress of the entire treatment process (surgery, chemotherapy, IL-2).
Is there anything I can do to make the treatment easier?
This is not an easy process. That's why your medical team will be watching you very closely throughout your stay in the hospital. They will regularly examine you, do blood tests, and make sure your body is ready for the treatment. They will give you the necessary medications to reduce side effects, and they will constantly monitor you for any complications. All you have to do is follow the instructions given by the medical team and tell them about any discomfort you feel.
What time should I call the doctor?
If you go home after treatment and develop any signs of infection (fever, body aches), or experience any unexpected or severe side effects, call your doctor immediately.
Don't think twice. If you feel the slightest change, something that feels like 'this isn't right,' let your doctor know right away.
If you have melanoma that has not responded to other treatments, TIL therapy may be a good option for you. If your doctor recommends this treatment, be sure to listen carefully to the full process, the time it will take, and the possible effects it may have on your condition. Your doctor can best explain the benefits and risks of this treatment to you.
Take-Home Message
- TIL therapy is a new and powerful treatment that uses your own immune cells (TILs) to treat cancer.
- It is currently approved for melanoma, a type of skin cancer that does not respond to other treatments.
- This treatment process includes surgically removing a portion of the cancer, growing cells in the laboratory, chemotherapy, and other treatments, and the entire process can take about 10 weeks.
- This targets and destroys cancer cells, with minimal damage to normal cells. However, there are some side effects and risks.
- If you have any questions about your treatment or experience any discomfort after treatment, it is very important to talk openly with your doctor about it.
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