Lifileuecel (Contego)

Mechanism of action

From the NCI Drug Dictionary: A preparation of autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), with potential antineoplastic activity. TILs are isolated from a patient's tumor tissue, cultured in vitro with high-dose interleukin-2 (lL-2), further selected based on antigen specificity and tumor reactivity, and the selected TILs are subsequently expanded. Upon re-introduction of lifileucel into the patient, the TILs re-infiltrate the tumor, specifically recognize the tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), and initiate tumor cell lysis. IL-2 induces the proliferation and expansion of TILs in vitro.

Diseases for which it is used

• Melanoma

History of changes in FDA indication

• 2024-02-16: Granted accelerated approval for adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma previously treated with a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor.

Also known as

• Code name: LN-144
• Brand name: Amtagvi, Contego