ASCO 2025: Modern Approaches to Metastatic Melanoma: Navigating the Treatment Landscape - Episode 10
Panelists discuss the need for early, coordinated, and multidisciplinary care to ensure timely access to tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, highlighting the importance of integrated communication, patient-centered planning, and shared decision-making—especially for older patients navigating complex treatment choices.
Access to TIL therapy requires early coordination, particularly when treatment centers are overbooked or geographically distant from patients. Some support programs help address these barriers, but ultimately, a proactive, multidisciplinary care model is key to preparing patients in advance. This model includes early involvement of surgeons and clear communication with patients to avoid delays at the point of treatment failure.
The emphasis is on establishing seamless collaboration among specialists from the time of diagnosis through advanced disease stages. Historically, melanoma care has lagged behind other cancers in this regard, but there is a growing push for integrated care to ensure patients can benefit from emerging therapies like TILs. This integrated approach improves continuity and supports timely, individualized treatment planning.
Although there is no formal age restriction for TIL therapy, physiological resilience becomes a critical consideration, especially in older patients. Clinicians aim to have honest conversations about the intensity of treatment, helping patients weigh potential benefits against possible long-term impacts on quality of life. Ultimately, the decision must align with what is most meaningful to the patient, emphasizing shared decision-making in complex care settings.