So we saw a lot of new approvals by the US FDA. One of them was TIL therapy. No, it has nothing to do with sesame seeds :-). It is a new form of immunotherapy developed and approved for metastatic melanoma( skin cancer).
But what exactly is TIL Therapy, and how does it work? Let’s break it down in simple terms for everyone to understand.
- Imagine your immune system as an army defending your body. Among its soldiers are T cells, which play a critical role in identifying and eliminating abnormal cells. I had written earlier about this explaining the Immune system. You can go back to it here https://diagnostics.mapmygenome.in/blog/the-immune-system-warriors-gamed-antibodies
- When cancer strikes, some of these T cells infiltrate the tumor. These brave warriors are called Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs).
- Their mission? To seek out and destroy cancer cells within the tumor.
- TILs are like seasoned detectives. They’ve already been to the crime scene (the tumor) and know the lay of the land.
- Unlike other therapies that require genetic engineering, TILs come pre-equipped. They recognize many targets on cancer cells without any modifications.
- Plus, a group of TILs can recognize multiple unique targets, making it harder for the tumor to escape their scrutiny.
but I presume it is not so easy to understand if you are not well versed with this space. So let me try and simplify.
- Collecting the Evidence (Tumor Sample): Imagine this as a detective gathering clues at a crime scene. In TIL therapy, doctors take a tiny piece of the tumor—like a biopsy or a snippet removed during surgery. From this tumor sample, they isolate the Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs)—our immune system’s undercover agents.
- Expanding the Task Force (Laboratory Work):- Now it’s time to multiply our immune cells. Think of it as recruiting more detectives for a complex case. In the lab, scientists nurture and expand these TILs. The goal? To create a larger army of immune cells ready to take on the tumor. It’s like turning a handful of detectives into a SWAT team! These TILs have already infiltrated the tumor, so they know the enemy territory well. See Point no 1
- Expanding the Task Force (Laboratory Work): Now it’s time to multiply our immune cells. Think of it as recruiting more detectives for a complex case. In the lab, scientists nurture and expand these TILs. The goal? To create a larger army of immune cells ready to take on the tumor. It’s like turning a handful of detectives into a SWAT team!
- Back to the Battlefield (Patient Infusion):Imagine the patient as the battlefield. But before the battle begins, we need to clear some space. The patient’s existing T cells (the immune cells already present) are temporarily removed. This makes room for the new recruits—the expanded TILs. These TILs are then infused back into the patient. It’s like sending reinforcements to the front lines.
- Boosting Morale (Interleukin-2): Every army needs motivation. In TIL therapy, patients receive interleukin-2 (IL-2). IL-2 is like a pep talk for the TILs. It encourages their growth and activity, keeping them fired up to fight cancer cells.
So, next time you hear about TIL therapy, remember it’s our immune system’s secret weapon—a force to be reckoned with in the fight against cancer!
