Streamlining Access to TIL Cell Therapy for Melanoma

About this episode

This episode discusses the challenges and solutions in streamlining access to TIL cell therapy for melanoma patients.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy is a promising option for patients with advanced melanoma, but logistical and referral challenges can be a barrier to care. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Lilit Karapetyan, MD, MS, FACP, medical oncologist at Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute, an authorized treatment center (ATC) for TIL cell therapy, and Raju Vaddepally, MD, hematologist-oncologist at Florida Cancer Specialists, a non-ATC, about the referral process. Both guests discuss the relationship between their cancer programs, offering actionable tips on how to streamline the identification and referral of melanoma patients for TIL therapy across institutions. Guests: Lilit Karapetyan, MD, MS, FACP Medical Oncologist Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Tampa, FL Raju Vaddepally, MD Hematologist-Oncologist Florida Cancer Specialists Naples, FL "It is extremely important that providers think about this earlier, because the huge issue that we have with TIL therapy is that we get a lot of patients referred but unfortunately, they are no longer fit to proceed with the therapy." - Lilit Karapetyan, MD, MS, FACP "Cancer care can be so fragmented and…

People in this episode

Guests: Lilit Karapetyan, MD, MS, FACP, Raju Vaddepally, MD

Topics covered

• TIL cell therapy
• melanoma
• cancer care
• referral process
• logistical challenges

Keywords

• TIL cell therapy
• melanoma
• referral process
• cancer care
• logistical challenges

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Florida Cancer Specialists, Association of Cancer Care Centers

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