Dr. Edington on the Utilization of TIL Therapy in Melanoma

Howard D. Edington, MD, director, Cutaneous Oncology Program, Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center, Allegheny Health Network, discusses the utilization of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy in melanoma.

TIL therapy has been examined experimentally for years, Edington says. TILs are cells harvested from a patient, and after being expanded in the lab, they are trained to recognize and attack tumor cells, Edington explains. Once the TILs have demonstrated the ability to identify tumor cells, they are reintroduced to the patient, Edington adds.

Currently, TIL therapy is still awaiting FDA approval, Edington says, adding that approval is expected within the coming year. If TIL therapy is approved, it will become another treatment option clinicians can present to patients with advanced melanoma, Edington concludes.