Effective generation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte products from metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) lesions irrespective of location and previous treatments.

Abstract

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied the lymphocyte composition using flow cytometry from 27 metastatic NSCLC lesions obtained from different locations and from patients with different histories of treatment regimens. We determined the expansion capacity of TILs with the clinically approved protocol, and measured their capacity to produce the key pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 2 and to express CD137 upon co-culture of expanded TILs with the autologous tumor digest.

RESULTS

The overall number and composition of lymphocyte infiltrates from the various metastatic lesions was by and large comparable to that of early-stage primary NSCLC tumors. We effectively expanded TILs from all metastatic NSCLC lesions to numbers that were compatible with TIL transfusion, irrespective of the location of the metastasis and of the previous treatment. Importantly, 16 of 21 (76%) tested TIL products displayed antitumoral activity, and several contained polyfunctional T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic NSCLC lesions constitute a viable source for the generation of tumor-reactive TIL products for therapeutic purposes irrespective of their location and the pre-treatment regimens.

BACKGROUND

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Because current treatment regimens show limited success rates, alternative therapeutic approaches are needed. We recently showed that treatment-naïve, stage I/II primary NSCLC tumors contain a high percentage of tumor-reactive T cells, and that these tumor-reactive T cells can be effectively expanded and used for the generation of autologous tumor-infiltrating T cell (TIL) therapy. Whether these promising findings also hold true for metastatic lesions is unknown yet critical for translation into the clinic.

More about this publication

Immuno-oncology technology
  • Volume 15
  • Pages 100090
  • Publication date 01-09-2022

This site uses cookies

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.