Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

12-2025

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Department

Microbiology and Immunology

Degree Program

Microbiology and Immunology, MS

Committee Chair

Yaddanapudi, Kavitha

Committee Member

Alard, Pacale

Committee Member

Zheng, Jian

Author's Keywords

Tumor; lymphocytes; immunology; melanoma

Abstract

This thesis explores the evolution of TIL therapy from its discovery to clinical application, focusing on its use in treating metastatic cancer. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT), particularly TIL therapy, has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional treatments like chemotherapy. This review article traces the historical development of TILs, highlighting key experiments and clinical trials that have shaped its understanding and application as a therapeutic strategy for patients with metastatic and difficult to treat cancers including melanoma. Importantly, this article highlights recent advancements, including the FDA approval of Lifileucel, and explores emerging strategies to enhance therapeutic efficacy of TILs through genetic engineering approaches such as CAR-TILs. This article also addresses the limitations of TIL therapy, including high costs, toxic side effects, and challenges posed by the harsh tumor microenvironment and concludes by emphasizing ongoing efforts to refine TIL therapy, expand its applicability to other cancers, and overcome barriers to improve therapeutic outcomes.

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