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TIL-IMP therapy offers sustained QoL benefits over ipilimumab in advanced melanoma, supporting its role in personalized care. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study published in June 2025 issue of Annals of Oncology to compare health-related (HR) QoL in individuals with metastatic melanoma treated with tumor infiltrating lymphocyte investigational medicinal product (TIL-IMP) or ipilimumab (IPI) following failure of first- or second-line therapy. 

They assessed individuals with metastatic melanoma (unresectable stage IIIC–IV), who were randomized to receive either TIL-IMP or IPI. The HRQoL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL), EuroQol 5D-3L (EQ-5D), and the Impact of Event Scale (IES). They used a generalized estimating equations model to evaluate HRQoL outcomes. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the impact of assumptions related to participant drop-out. Differences were interpreted based on both statistical and clinical significance. 

The results showed that out of 168 individuals randomized 1:1, baseline HRQoL scores were available for 143 (85%), with 75 (89%) in the TIL-IMP group and 73 (87%) in the IPI group. At week 24, the TIL-IMP group reported higher global health status scores (78.2 vs 73.9; P<0.05) and emotional functioning (85.9 vs 77.9; P<0.05). Fatigue (25.0 vs 32.4; P<0.05) and pain scores (13.7 vs 17.6; P<0.05) were lower in the TIL-IMP group, though nausea and vomiting scores were slightly higher (7.5 vs 5.2; P<0.05). The EQ-5D scores favored TIL-IMP (0.89 vs 0.83; P<0.05), IES scores at week 24 were lower in the TIL-IMP group (11.8 vs 17.4; P<0.05), and sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings. Despite statistical significance, these differences were not considered clinically meaningful. 

Investigators concluded that individuals with metastatic melanoma treated with TIL-IMP showed comparable HRQoL to those receiving IPI. 

Source: annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(25)00806-3/fulltext