The TIL trial: T cell therapy for metastatic melanoma
On Saturday, September 10, John Haanen will present the results of the TIL trial: the first comparative phase 3 study in the world to examine the effect of the patient's own T cells (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; TIL) as a "living drug" for metastatic melanoma. In this treatment, the T cells from the patient's metastasis are multiplied into billions of cells in the laboratory, and then returned to the patient. The outcome of this trial is vital for patients, as a phase 3 study is a prerequisite to getting TIL therapy accepted as standard therapy.
The NICHE-2: neoadjuvant immunotherapy for colon cancer
In 2020, Myriam Chalabi published about the NICHE study looking into neoadjuvant immunotherapy in colorectal cancer. The results of this study were overwhelmingly positive. One of the things they showed was that 100% of patients with a specific subtype of colorectal cancer (MSI) benefited from the treatment. In the NICHE-2 study, she investigated the effects of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in MSI colorectal cancer in a much larger patient group. She will give a presentation about this study on Sunday, September 11. We will find out whether the results of this larger study were equally positive, and whether this will lead to a new standard treatment.
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Towards personalized immunotherapy for breast cancer
Immunotherapy will be included as a treatment for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) alongside chemotherapy in the near future. Because chemotherapy is a very intensive treatment with many side effects, Marleen Kok's team is trying to find the patient groups that could benefit from short-term immunotherapy without chemotherapy in the BELLINI trial. It is the first trial in the world specifically looking for triple negative breast cancer patients who have immune cells among the cancer cells are specifically selected, because the immunotherapy may have a higher chance of success. The outcome is important for taking the right steps toward personalized immunotherapy for breast cancer patients. Her presentation is scheduled for Saturday, September 10.
Immune therapy for head and neck cancer: the biological foundation
The group of Lotje Zuur is investigating immunotherapy prior to surgery in advanced head and neck cancer. The group published an important study on this in December 2021, showing that 35% of patients responded well to immunotherapy, with none of these patients experiencing recurrence. By closely examining the biological characteristics of the tumors, the group is now investigating why some patients respond better to immunotherapy than others. Postdoc Joleen Traets will discuss this study at ESMO on September 11 in the fundamental and translational research category.
The promises of immunotherapy, particularly T cell therapy
Researcher Ton Schumacher and physician John Haanen will give a joint keynote lecture on September 11: a duo presentation on new developments in immunotherapy. This presentation will include a demonstration of the ways in which a collaboration between doctors and researchers can be motivating and synergistic, bringing together the worlds of research and patient care. The presentation will focus on cell therapy: what exactly do T cells recognize, and what did this knowledge bring us? How can we further improve and refine TIL treatment, for example?