title: Characterization of ex vivo expanded tumor infiltrating lymphocytes from patients with malignant melanoma for clinical application.
abstract: Clinical trials of adoptive transfer of autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) to patients with advanced malignant melanoma have shown remarkable results with objective clinical responses in 50% of the treated patients. In order to initiate a clinical trial in melanoma, we have established a method for expanding TILs to clinical relevant quantities in two steps with in 8 weeks. Further characterization of expanded TILs revealed an oligoclonal composition of T-cells with an effector memory like phenotype. When autologous tumor was available, TILs showed specific activity in all patients tested. TIL cultures contained specificity towards tumor cells as well as peptides derived from tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) during expansion procedures.
authors.affiliation: Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Oncology, University Hospital Herlev, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730 Herlev, Denmark.
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Junker
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thor Straten
authors.forename: Mads Hald
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Inge Marie
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Svane