Dr. Fischkoff on Vision for TIL Therapy in Melanoma

Steven A. Fischkoff, MD, chief medical officer of Lion Biotechnologies, Inc, discusses his vision for tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy for patients with melanoma.

In the next 5 to 10 years, there is a bright future for this type of treatment, Fischkoff explains. Although its initial focus will be in the field of melanoma, he predicts it will move into other tumor types, such as head and neck cancer.

Next steps will include modifying TILs—either chemically or genetically—in order to make them more active, he adds. Beyond this development, there will likely be clinical trials to determine whether this type of therapy is more effective alone or in combination.