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Advice on genomic testing and TIL

Forums General Melanoma Community Advice on genomic testing and TIL

  • Post
    Anni
    Participant
      Good afternoon, thanks in advance for any help. Some of you may remember my sister’s story. Diagnosed 8/2018 , no primary but spread to brain and fibulas. Brain met removed 8/2018, some had to be left due to position. Tested Braf positive, started on Dafrabanib and Trametenib, with some success, Feb2020 some activity at site of brain met, given stereotactic radiotherapy, and then started on immunotherapy, iPi and nivo, however many seizures post radiotherapy and hospitalisations. Fast forward, late April 2021 not sure if scan shows scarring/swelling or tumour but they think it may be tumour, will have surgery to hopefully remove the tumour this Tuesday. No genomic testing was done on the original tumour, I have asked for it to be done now, asking if there are any mutations not typical to melanoma, I also asked about TIL but have been told by her oncologist that it has only been trialed in skin lesions in the UK!

      I am asking if anyone can point me in the direction of what we need to preserve from What is removed, I have asked if cells can be harvested, they are not helpful in this regard. If the tumour is preserved can these be harvested after? What genomic testing should I be asking for exactly? I would appreciate greatly any of your advice. Thank you all, ypu have helped me navigate this so much .

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        Bubbles
        Participant
          I am so sorry for what you and your sister are dealing with.  To get an answer as to how to preserve and utilize tumor material for potential use in TIL, you would need to contact a center that does it so that they can tell you how to proceed.

          Here is a trial for TIL that is recruiting in the UK:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03645928?term=TIL&recrs=ab&cond=Stage+IV+Melanoma&cntry=GB&draw=2&rank=1

          It is being done at these two locations:

          Guy’s Hospital Recruiting
          London, England, United Kingdom, SE19RT
          Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre Recruiting
          Bristol, United Kingdom, BS2 8ED

          I would either contact those centers or the sponsor:

          Iovance Biotherapeutics Study Team 866-565-4410 [email protected]

          Finally, it looks like in this trial brain lesions need to be treated/asymptomatic, but once your sister has gained control of that she would qualify.   No matter!  I would still call for info as well as possible participation.  You never know.  Trials are doable!  Been there done that!  Hope this helps.  celeste

            Anni
            Participant
              Celeste , once again, thank you. I will get in touch with them now. I appreciate your help so much.
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