TREE; Tumour Reactive Lymphocytes: Evaluation and Enhancement

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  TREE; Tumour Reactive Lymphocytes: Evaluation and Enhancement

• IRAS ID

  264154

• Contact name

  Gray Kueberuwa

• Contact email

  gray.kueberuwa@instilbio.com

• Sponsor organisation

  Instil Bio UK

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  Summary of Research
  TIL therapy has shown great promise in the setting of metastatic melanoma with complete response rates of over 50% in patients with late stage metastatic disease.

  In the normal cancer setting, immune responses to tumours are present, however, immune cells that have the capability to kill cancer cells are "switched off" in the local tumour environment. TIL therapy works by growing these cells in the lab in conditions that "switch them back on". Currently, the method for harvesting immune cells that react to tumour cells are to extract them from tumours that are removed by surgery.

  The primary aim of this research is to establish a method to purify tumour-reactive immune cells from the blood in order to bypass the need for surgery.
  To do this we will collect peripheral blood samples at different time points in during cancer patient treatment regimens. Collection from tumour samples will also be performed and the number and characteristics of cells obtained by both methods will be compared.

  Secondary to this aim, we wish to introduce genetic modifications to tumour-reactive T-cells in order to enhance their anti-cancer potential. This will be assessed in a range of tests in the lab and, if promising, in mouse models of cancer.

  Thirdly, we wish to measure levels of immune relevant molecules in the blood to better understand immune responses to cancer, particularly during treatment with immune therapies. Blood samples from healthy volunteers will be collected and analysed for use as a baseline.

  Summary of Results
  The aim of this study was to improve the therapeutic potential of tumour infiltrating lymphocyte therapy in a range of cancers by assessing their biology and using results to underpin advancements in therapy.

  Ultimately results led to

  1.Improved understanding that allowed optimisation of clinical manufacturing, that was ustilised in a global clinical trial for metastatic melanoma.
  2. Development of novel gene modified tumour infiltrating lymphocyte therapy that has now undergone first in-human studies in lung cancer patients

• REC name

  HSC REC A

• REC reference

  20/NI/0007

• Date of REC Opinion

  7 Feb 2020

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion