Private healthcare provider, HCA Healthcare UK, has announced that it has treated a metastatic lung cancer patient with tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy for the first time as part of a clinical trial at its research arm, Sarah Cannon Research Institute UK.
The groundbreaking cellular therapy treatment represents a significant milestone in targeting advanced cancer, marking HCA UK's continued leadership in bringing cutting-edge immunotherapy treatments to patients in the UK. The achievement demonstrates the collaborative expertise across HCA UK's network, involving complex care and coordination between The Harley Street Clinic, London Bridge Hospital, and the Sarah Cannon Research Institute team.
TIL therapy leverages the body's own immune cells called tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, which are naturally present within tumours and trained to target cancer cells. In February 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved TIL therapy as the first cellular therapy to treat solid tumours, initially for melanoma treatment under the name Lifileucel (Amtagvi).
At Sarah Cannon Research Institute UK, clinical trials are now exploring TIL therapy's efficacy in advanced and metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, offering new hope for patients whose cancer has become resistant to other treatment options including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies and traditional immunotherapy. The patient was referred from the NHS for participation in this groundbreaking clinical trial.
The complex treatment process begins with surgical resection of a tumour lesion, in this first case, performed by Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Mr David Lawrence at The Harley Street Clinic. The tumour sample is then sent to manufacturing facilities in the US, where the patient's lymphocytes are cultured and expanded in laboratory conditions to create billions of cells.
Once the manufactured the TIL cells return to the UK, patients receive intensive inpatient treatment at London Bridge Hospital, with four days of lymphodepleting chemotherapy to reduce existing T-cells, followed by the TIL infusion. Finally, patients receive up to six doses of high-dose IL-2 cytokine therapy twice daily to further expand the TILs.
Due to the intensive nature of the treatment, patients remain under the care of HCA UK's multidisciplinary team of medical experts throughout the process. Following completion of IL-2 therapy, patients undergo regular follow-up scans to assess treatment response after 6-8 weeks.
Dr Anja Williams, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Principal Investigator at Sarah Cannon Research Institute UK, said: "TIL therapy represents a potential new treatment option for patients whose advanced cancer has become resistant to other therapies. By using the patient's own immune cells that are already trained to target their specific cancer, we're essentially harnessing and enhancing the power of their immune system to target the disease. At Sarah Cannon Research Institute, we’re proud to be leading this pioneering trial to explore its efficacy in advanced and metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, which offers new hope for patients who haven’t had success with other treatment options."
Mr David Lawrence, Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at The Harley Street Clinic, said: "The surgical component of TIL therapy requires careful selection of the tumour site and precise tissue preparation to ensure successful creation of TIL cells. Working closely with the Sarah Cannon Research Institute team, we ensure the tissue is properly prepared and transported under optimal conditions. This trial represents an exciting development in our ability to offer patients innovative treatment options through the expertise available across our HCA UK network."
Will Pressley, CEO, HCA UK Cancer Services said: "By bringing together the surgical expertise at The Harley Street Clinic, the advanced inpatient cancer care capabilities at London Bridge Hospital and the pioneering research of Sarah Cannon Research Institute, we're able to offer patients access to groundbreaking treatments like TIL therapy. This represents our unwavering commitment to advancing cancer care and providing hope to patients facing the most challenging diagnoses through innovative cellular therapies that harness the power of their own immune systems."
