Introduction:
The FDA recently approved the first cancer therapy based on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), which have the potential to target solid tumors. TILs have inherent specificity and can recognize multiple tumor antigens, making them suitable for combating the heterogeneity of solid tumors. CTMC, a cell therapy developer and manufacturer, collects TILs from a patient’s tumor and enhances their fitness through genetic engineering. The use of TILs shows promise in developing therapeutics for a wide range of solid tumors, including those that are highly resistant to treatment.
- TILs are a type of immunotherapy that can target solid tumors.
- Compared to CAR-T therapies, TILs are already specific and polyclonal, making them better equipped to recognize different tumor antigens.
- Tumors can fight back against TILs, but CTMC has developed a proprietary manufacturing process to enhance their fitness and resistance to the tumor microenvironment.
- CTMC focuses on genetically-engineered TILs that can be further optimized to block tumor-secreted cytokines or stimulate the immune system.
- The main challenge in TIL manufacturing is expanding a sample into a large number of cells, but advancements in collaboration and innovation are expected to address this issue.
Conclusion:
TILs offer a promising approach for targeting solid tumors, addressing the challenges posed by their heterogeneity and resistance to treatment. The FDA approval of TIL-based therapy marks a significant milestone in cancer immunotherapy. Continued research and collaboration in the field are expected to lead to further advancements in the use of TILs for a wide range of solid tumors.
