Innovative Immune Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Stabilizing Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

A recent multi-center clinical trial has demonstrated that a single dose of autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy can help stabilize metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in certain patients. Conducted at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center along with 21 other U.S. sites, this study found that many patients who had previously tried multiple treatments without success experienced disease stabilization following this innovative immunotherapy.

The trial focused on the feasibility and effectiveness of generating TILs—a type of immune cell harvested from the patient's own tumor tissue—from recurrent or metastatic tumors. These TILs were then expanded in the laboratory into hundreds of millions of cells and infused back into the patient to enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.

Results showed that most patients, predominantly men with a median age of 57, had advanced late-stage disease and were heavily pretreated. The median duration of treatment was approximately 18 months, with a median response duration of 7.6 months; some responses lasted nearly two years. Notably, 64% of patients achieved disease stabilization, and the median overall survival was about nine and a half months.

The therapy was generally well tolerated, with manageable side effects such as chills, low blood pressure, fever, as well as blood-related issues like low platelet counts and anemia.

These findings are particularly significant as they represent one of the first instances where immunotherapy has demonstrated disease stabilization in such challenging cases. The study, published in the "Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer," highlights the potential of TIL therapy as a promising treatment option for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers, especially for those with limited options after conventional treatments.

Dr. Robert L. Ferris, one of the lead researchers, emphasized the importance of optimizing the development process for TILs, deciding between fresh or cryopreserved cells, and exploring combination therapies to improve outcomes. Future research aims to conduct randomized controlled trials to compare TIL therapy with standard treatments and further improve life expectancy and quality of life for these patients.

Head and neck cancers, which originate in the lining cells of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and sinuses, make up about 3.6% of all cancers in the U.S., with thousands of new diagnoses annually. This groundbreaking study offers new hope for patients battling advanced disease by providing a pathway to disease stabilization and extended survival.