Is there a future for adoptive cell transfer in melanoma patients?

The adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) can yield durable responses in patients affected by metastatic melanoma. In particular, we have recently reported an 80% 3 year survival rate among patients who responded to this immunotherapeutic regimen. Of note, overall response rates were equal among ipilimumab-naïve and ipilimumab-refractory patients. Thus, the adoptive transfer of TILs, as a standalone therapeutic intervention or combined with other treatment modalities, bears a high clinical potential that must be optimally employed.